What is the best colonial empire?

[Neuer Deutsches Reich]

What is the best colonial empire? Your own opinion, debate it with others and if I don’t include yours I am sorry.

Also do not just look at size but at what impact it had on the world and/or it’s potential of one event didn’t happen.

[Grahnol]

The British Empire. No doubt. They were by far the most humane, least oppressive to colonised lands and was willing to give their colonies independence when it was clear that either the colony or the British couldn't maintain colonial status for any longer. Usually, and I'm saying usually, the British treated those living under their colonies and such as equals, no matter their race and they even allowed local rulers to remain in place and administer some parts of their colonial administration. Still under British rule but they were lenient with their colonies and such.

I, however, can't discount the many atrocities the British Empire has done during its history, like those in India. The atrocities they have done are very bad and I can't discount them at all. I wouldn't say that I absolutely love the British Empire and that it should have been greater or that the Imperial Federation should have formed out of it but I do believe that out of every colonial empire in history, the British Empire was the best, or at least, least worst, as it had many merits to it.

[Totenborg]

What is the best colonial empire? Your own opinion, debate it with others and if I don’t include yours I am sorry.

Also do not just look at size but at what impact it had on the world and/or it’s potential of one event didn’t happen.

None. Colonialism was/is an atrocity.

[Bendicion]

Spain.
Yes they hade their own share of atrocities and such but they treated native peoples much more differently. Other than just trade, they always followed (at the start probs) to convert natives to christianity and gave some natives some kind of treatment.

just my opinion,

especially if i compare them to the dutch.

[Neanderthaland]

The Romulan Star Empire

[Derika]

The British Empire. No doubt. They were by far the most humane, least oppressive to colonised lands and was willing to give their colonies independence when it was clear that either the colony or the British couldn't maintain colonial status for any longer. Usually, and I'm saying usually, the British treated those living under their colonies and such as equals, no matter their race and they even allowed local rulers to remain in place and administer some parts of their colonial administration. Still under British rule but they were lenient with their colonies and such.

I, however, can't discount the many atrocities the British Empire has done during its history, like those in India. The atrocities they have done are very bad and I can't discount them at all. I wouldn't say that I absolutely love the British Empire and that it should have been greater or that the Imperial Federation should have formed out of it but I do believe that out of every colonial empire in history, the British Empire was the best, or at least, least worst, as it had many merits to it.

Basically all colonial empires committed some kind of atrocities.

[Merconitonitopia]

When mighty Roast Beef was the Englishman's food,
It ennobled our veins and enriched our blood.
Our soldiers were brave and our courtiers were good
Oh! the Roast Beef of old England,
And old English Roast Beef!

[Monsone]

Probably the German Empire because it was way more humane and viewed the colonial citizens more favorably than most. Not to mention, they rode zebras.

[The Federated Soviets of North America]

The poll is missing Japan, Oman, Denmark, Sweden, and, if you want to really stretch some definitions, New Zealand and Australia.

[Derika]

The poll is missing Japan, Oman, Denmark, Sweden, and, if you want to really stretch some definitions, New Zealand and Australia.

Out of general curiosity, why would New Zealand and Australia be a colonial empire?

[Valtrona]

I would most likely say the Italian Colonial Empire was the “best” in terms of treatment of its natives and colonists, granted that’s a pretty low bar to set but that’s what the bar should be.

In terms of conquest and power, the best colonial empire would be the British Empire hands down. Not only did they control the largest territory in history and a dominating navy for centuries, but also had a massive impact on world culture in ways we can’t even fully list out.

[Armed Southern Republic]

The 3rd Reich

[Derika]

I would most likely say the Italian Colonial Empire was the “best” in terms of treatment of its natives and colonists, granted that’s a pretty low bar to set but that’s what the bar should be.

In terms of conquest and power, the best colonial empire would be the British Empire hands down. Not only did they control the largest territory in history and a dominating navy for centuries, but also had a massive impact on world culture in ways we can’t even fully list out.

Gas grenades are best treatment

[The Federated Soviets of North America]

The poll is missing Japan, Oman, Denmark, Sweden, and, if you want to really stretch some definitions, New Zealand and Australia.

Out of general curiosity, why would New Zealand and Australia be a colonial empire?

After they were granted Dominion status, the Brits handed over control of some of their colonies in the area to them, and these territories were often explicitly referred to as Australian/Kiwi colonies. The ones that got independence (Papua New Guinea for Australia, Sāmoa for New Zealand) are recognized as having gained independence from Australia/New Zealand, rather than Britain. Granted, I doubt that anyone would actually vote for either of them, but they still fit the definition.

[Cetacea]

The poll is missing Japan, Oman, Denmark, Sweden, and, if you want to really stretch some definitions, New Zealand and Australia.

Out of general curiosity, why would New Zealand and Australia be a colonial empire?

The Realm of New Zealand includes Tokelau, Cook Island and Niue, each are internally soveriegn but have a single Monarch and NZ is responsible for Defence and Foreign Affairs.

[Monsone]

The 3rd Reich

Not really a colonial empire. Yes it took over France's colonies, but in name only, and really was more so a empire than a colonial empire since it had no distinguishing feats in the colonies they controlled besides being beat out of them thanks to the Allies and Italian incompetence in North Africa.

[Derika]

Out of general curiosity, why would New Zealand and Australia be a colonial empire?

After they were granted Dominion status, the Brits handed over control of some of their colonies in the area to them, and these territories were often explicitly referred to as Australian/Kiwi colonies. The ones that got independence (Papua New Guinea for Australia, Sāmoa for New Zealand) are recognized as having gained independence from Australia/New Zealand, rather than Britain. Granted, I doubt that anyone would actually vote for either of them, but they still fit the definition.

Nice. The more you know.

[Czechostan]

Courland, precisely because they were the worst at colonizing.

[The Federated Soviets of North America]

Now that I think about it, Norway, Austria-Hungary, Chile, Latvia, and (arguably) China all had/have very minor colonial empires.

[Sundiata]

Like most people, I find colonialism repugnant.

[Greed and Death]

America's soft power colonialism is freaking amazing. I love seeing Germans say truck rather than lorry.

[The Federated Soviets of North America]

America's soft power colonialism is freaking amazing. I love seeing Germans say truck rather than lorry.

Maybe, but that isn't really colonialism, and true American colonialism (Manifest Destiny, Spanish-American War, American-Philippine War, etc.) was/is among the most brutal in history.

[The Archregimancy]

With regret, we've declared a temporary moratorium on these threads; they've become so common that they're becoming perilously close to spam, even when - as with the present thread - interesting historical discussion might result.

We're not locking those that were already in place before the moratorium, but we've been locking those that have started up over the last couple of days.

Also, the OP to this particular version is woefully inadequate.