What was the british Empire all about ?....promoting peace ? freedom ? democracy ? white supremacy ?

The British empire was acquired in order to promote and protect trade, thus making Britain richer and more powerful

There wasn't just one day when the British said it's time to make an empire, this is why we are going to do so. It started off with small trading posts, and juts expanded, there was no grand plan or scheme too pain the world pink (colour of british empier on british maps), trading led to expansion and wealth, individuals on the ground wanted to make vast amounts of money, and when war came (with europeans or native nations) they would lobby for help and defence against their enemies, when the British won these people would usually be given the spoils of war. For example, India wasn't conquered by the British government, it was conquered by the East India Trading Company, a rival of the French counterpart, there was a fear France would conquer India so the company took advantage of the collapse of the power of the Mughal Empire, to conquer and vassilise states in India. Only after the mutiny of 1857 did India come under the rule of the crown, meaning only then was a it under the rule of the British government. The British Empire was create out of the attempts of individuals and somegroups to make themselves very rich indeed, any disasters or atrocities that occured didn't come out of a sadistic desire to kill races, or attain total british supremacy, but out of fear or greed. Comparing the British Empire to the Nazis is grossly unfair, the British didn't want to annhilate entire races and create a new world order, there were vague talks of "civilising" the conquered peoples, and awaiting for the time they would rise their heads into the international community as civilised nations of their own, but it was mainly talk. It's important to remember of the European colonialists the British were the most liberal of them all, (look at the French and Belgium rule in the Congo, and remember what the spaniards did when they arrived in the New World). As a native Brit I can say that the general view is that the Empire was a powerful force, that did both good and evil, but was (at the time of its existence) better than the alternative, before 1945 most British colonies knew the end of British rule would mean not self-determination and democracy, but rule by another colonial power. I remember watching a program called "Victoria's Empire" where one man in Malaysia said he was happy the British were there, far better than the Dutch, who treated their subject peoples MUCH worse. By the way, Britain destroying India and China's economy? I think the massive European (Britain first) industrialisation has more to do with the inabalance in wealth, especially since China was a seperate state. The crushing of the Bozer rebellion just goes to show the unity of first world nations against other nations to mantain the status-quo.

It was all to do with trade. But why are we focusing on the British Empire, and not the Spanish, French, Portuguese or Dutch Empires as well?

The national foreign policy of the British Empire was to expand the British Empire.

Yeah, promoting peace and freedom in India by looting them of their resources, killing their people, and making them a third world country. India and China represented nearly 45% of the world economy prior to British colonization, believe it or not. Yes, and also conquering nations in Africa and partly colonizing China for "freedom". Kind of like America's theory on Iraqi freedom. The Brits have no right to criticize American imperialism. But they'll probably do it while drinking coke, eating McDonalds, and watching a Hollywood blockbuster.

The British Empire was not about White Supremacy. Who gave you that idea? It was about spreading Anglo-Saxon morals. It was about economics. Please read and conduct research on the question and find out for yourself.

trade and War the british were not into white supremacy in 1500 they already knew how good they were and did use gunboat policy there was no policy in Australia to destroy the Indigenous people Not like the Whites in the USA with a bounty on Indian scalps the White settlers decided that all by them self's and there were several white men caught and Hung for Murder of Australian Aboriginals the British were Via the church into converting them to Christianity and stopping them speaking their own language and the church was removing their words Children at risk the British did lots of things wrong but the British politicians never sent their Navy out to wipe out Indigenous people they did sent the army and navy to war that's why the Royal Marines are about 350 years old the British wanted to establish Trading posts and Facilities for restocking its navy and repairing its ships and wanted safe harbours the Navy believed a friendly Colonial port was better than no port NZ had major problems when the Maoris and the Settlers Joined against the British and a truce was signed those that caused the Problems were not the men in London in Australia the Plodders were one step above the Convicts even the Governors were corrupt and it took a long time for Australia to establish Fair policing In canada after 1812 Canada stabilised the french shut up and in 1871 the British army left canada Malaysia Prospered under the British Singapore was our Overseas Riviera malaysia was supplying the UK with Rubber India was a case of everyone being low life until the East India company was controlled by the British army and they formed the indian army The majority of the Exploring countries were Racists by their actions but and History has shown they did try to make amends and gave Military political and Financial assistance to all the countries that now Form the commonwealth of nations

lol. promoting peace and freedom. you must be american. they went around the world because they are a small country and needed natural resources. what they did is similar to what america is doing now, going to iraq to get their oil.

If you 'unpack' your question, you have the rudiments of an answer...it was all of those things, and that in essence is how imperialist endeavour operates to this day...some it benefits, some suffer terribly...elitism and oppression...hand in hand...winning 'hearts and minds' and ruling through force and fear..divide and rule. If you are the right colour, sex and class it could be all things, read Rudyard Kipling's White Man's Burden, if you do not comply or fit in then it may be a very different story..your example of the Tasmanian Aboriginals. Love the answers on here who view British Imperialism like a Victorian Grand Tour of the World...cute and cosy and all about bringing cricket to the natives and swapping for their tea and sugar, and a few diamonds to boot. The Empire was built on Slavery...free labour fuelled it, we wanted the world's resources alright, so we just took them offering things in return e.g. our version of education religion and culture, but again if you didn't like being cared for by the Grand Old Britannia...tough!