The Evil Empire: 101 Ways That England Ruined the World
Encyclopedia
The Evil Empire: 101 Ways That England Ruined the World is an anglophobic book written by Steven A. Grasse, the chief executive officer
of Philadelphia marketing agency Gyro. It was first published in April 2007 by Quirk Books
. In it, the author argues that many of the world's problems were caused by the British Empire
, and also insults, criticises and stereotypes British culture. The book received much criticism, especially from the United Kingdom
, for many of its arguments and conclusions, though some were supported by British critics.
was evil, and responsible for the Irish famine, the atrocities committed by the Black and tans
during the Irish War of Independence
, Racism
, the Scramble for Africa
, the Iraq War, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
, global warming
, world poverty, the Great Plague, Islamofascism
, the 19th century Opium Wars
against China
, the First World War and the Vietnam War
. Other events the book places blame on the British Empire for include the Second World War, the fathering of the United States
and the drug trade.
Other arguments made in the book involve the popularity of homosexuality
among the British nobility
, that the King James Bible was a deliberate act of heresy
, and that the Piltdown Man
hoax was a deliberate attempt by British academia to prove that they were a superior race.
said that he believed "very few would take this book too seriously", whilst Charles Laurence writing for the British Daily Mail
called the book "outrageous". Laurence also contended that it expressed contempt upon the special relationship
between the United States
and the United Kingdom, and described Grasse's assertion that the Vietnam War was caused by the United Kingdom as "twisted logic". He also responded to Grasse's criticism of the First Opium War
, by arguing that the war attacked protectionism
and helped the development of the global free market that has benefited the United States greatly. However, Laurence said that Grasse's aim of trying to stop the world viewing the United States as "the root of all evil" was valid, contending that anti-Americanism
in the United Kingdom was strong. Nevertheless, he ventured that the book might do the opposite; he suggested what he considered to be absurd accusations against the United Kingdom would provoke more anger against the United States. Jonathan Steinberg
, at the University of Pennsylvania
, advocated that the United Kingdom has contributed good things, like the Magna Carta
, the institution of the first free press and market, as well as the abolition of slavery
.
Michael Henderson
, writing for the British Daily Telegraph, agreed that the British had caused extreme strife in Ireland
and Africa
, but considered that the United Kingdom had given much to the Enlightenment
, the Industrial Revolution
, and the age of Romanticism
. Overall, he opined that the book was silly, and that it should be treated with laughter. British historian Max Hastings
said that, when looking through the book, it read "as if every bar bore in Philadelphia, where the author hails from, got together one night and wrote down every half-assed insult they could remember about Britain, somewhat handicapped by the fact that none did high school history past sixth grade." However, he felt there was a serious point to it, arguing it is a manifestation of the United States's annoyance at worldwide anti-Americanism. Hastings agreed that the United Kingdom's record in Africa was mixed, and with Grasse regards the Opium Wars
as brutal, contending likewise about Britain's suppression of the Indian Mutiny of 1857. However, he advocates that the British Empire, nevertheless, "was overwhelmingly a force for stability and good."
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Philadelphia marketing agency Gyro. It was first published in April 2007 by Quirk Books
Quirk Books
Quirk Books is an independent book publisher based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.The company was founded by David Borgenicht, co-author of The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook, which has spawned sequels, as well as a TBS television series and a board game. Quirk develops "Coffee...
. In it, the author argues that many of the world's problems were caused by the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, and also insults, criticises and stereotypes British culture. The book received much criticism, especially from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, for many of its arguments and conclusions, though some were supported by British critics.
Synopsis
The book argues that the British EmpireBritish Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
was evil, and responsible for the Irish famine, the atrocities committed by the Black and tans
Black and Tans
The Black and Tans was one of two newly recruited bodies, composed largely of British World War I veterans, employed by the Royal Irish Constabulary as Temporary Constables from 1920 to 1921 to suppress revolution in Ireland...
during the Irish War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
, Racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
, the Scramble for Africa
Scramble for Africa
The Scramble for Africa, also known as the Race for Africa or Partition of Africa was a process of invasion, occupation, colonization and annexation of African territory by European powers during the New Imperialism period, between 1881 and World War I in 1914...
, the Iraq War, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The conflict is wide-ranging, and the term is also used in reference to the earlier phases of the same conflict, between Jewish and Zionist yishuv and the Arab population living in Palestine under Ottoman or...
, global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
, world poverty, the Great Plague, Islamofascism
Islamofascism
The term Islamofascism is a neologism which draws an analogy between the ideological characteristics of specific Islamist movements from the turn of the 21st century on, and a broad range of European fascist movements of the early 20th century, neofascist movements, or totalitarianism.-Origins of...
, the 19th century Opium Wars
Opium Wars
The Opium Wars, also known as the Anglo-Chinese Wars, divided into the First Opium War from 1839 to 1842 and the Second Opium War from 1856 to 1860, were the climax of disputes over trade and diplomatic relations between China under the Qing Dynasty and the British Empire...
against China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, the First World War and the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Other events the book places blame on the British Empire for include the Second World War, the fathering of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the drug trade.
Other arguments made in the book involve the popularity of homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
among the British nobility
British nobility
-General History of British Nobility:The nobility of the four constituent home nations of the United Kingdom has played a major role in shaping the history of the country, although in the present day even hereditary peers have no special rights, privileges or responsibilities, except for residual...
, that the King James Bible was a deliberate act of heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
, and that the Piltdown Man
Piltdown Man
The Piltdown Man was a hoax in which bone fragments were presented as the fossilised remains of a previously unknown early human. These fragments consisted of parts of a skull and jawbone, said to have been collected in 1912 from a gravel pit at Piltdown, East Sussex, England...
hoax was a deliberate attempt by British academia to prove that they were a superior race.
Reception
Jonah Bloom of Advertising AgeAdvertising Age
Advertising Age is a magazine, delivering news, analysis and data on marketing and media. The magazine was started as a broadsheet newspaper in Chicago in 1930...
said that he believed "very few would take this book too seriously", whilst Charles Laurence writing for the British Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
called the book "outrageous". Laurence also contended that it expressed contempt upon the special relationship
Special relationship
The Special Relationship is a phrase used to describe the exceptionally close political, diplomatic, cultural, economic, military and historical relations between the United Kingdom and the United States, following its use in a 1946 speech by British statesman Winston Churchill...
between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the United Kingdom, and described Grasse's assertion that the Vietnam War was caused by the United Kingdom as "twisted logic". He also responded to Grasse's criticism of the First Opium War
First Opium War
The First Anglo-Chinese War , known popularly as the First Opium War or simply the Opium War, was fought between the United Kingdom and the Qing Dynasty of China over their conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic relations, trade, and the administration of justice...
, by arguing that the war attacked protectionism
Protectionism
Protectionism is the economic policy of restraining trade between states through methods such as tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, and a variety of other government regulations designed to allow "fair competition" between imports and goods and services produced domestically.This...
and helped the development of the global free market that has benefited the United States greatly. However, Laurence said that Grasse's aim of trying to stop the world viewing the United States as "the root of all evil" was valid, contending that anti-Americanism
Anti-Americanism
The term Anti-Americanism, or Anti-American Sentiment, refers to broad opposition or hostility to the people, policies, culture or government of the United States...
in the United Kingdom was strong. Nevertheless, he ventured that the book might do the opposite; he suggested what he considered to be absurd accusations against the United Kingdom would provoke more anger against the United States. Jonathan Steinberg
Jonathan Steinberg
Jonathan Steinberg is the Walter H. Annenberg Professor of Modern European History and former Chair of the Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his A. B. from Harvard University and his Ph.D...
, at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, advocated that the United Kingdom has contributed good things, like the Magna Carta
Magna Carta
Magna Carta is an English charter, originally issued in the year 1215 and reissued later in the 13th century in modified versions, which included the most direct challenges to the monarch's authority to date. The charter first passed into law in 1225...
, the institution of the first free press and market, as well as the abolition of slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
.
Michael Henderson
Michael Henderson (writer)
Michael Henderson is a British journalist, born in Manchester, raised in Bolton and educated at a preparatory school in Derbyshire and then at Repton School. Originally purely a sportswriter, he has since diversified into a wider range of cultural journalism.He began his career writing for...
, writing for the British Daily Telegraph, agreed that the British had caused extreme strife in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, but considered that the United Kingdom had given much to the Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
, the Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
, and the age of Romanticism
Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution...
. Overall, he opined that the book was silly, and that it should be treated with laughter. British historian Max Hastings
Max Hastings
Sir Max Hugh Macdonald Hastings, FRSL is a British journalist, editor, historian and author. He is the son of Macdonald Hastings, the noted British journalist and war correspondent and Anne Scott-James, sometime editor of Harper's Bazaar.-Life and career:Hastings was educated at Charterhouse...
said that, when looking through the book, it read "as if every bar bore in Philadelphia, where the author hails from, got together one night and wrote down every half-assed insult they could remember about Britain, somewhat handicapped by the fact that none did high school history past sixth grade." However, he felt there was a serious point to it, arguing it is a manifestation of the United States's annoyance at worldwide anti-Americanism. Hastings agreed that the United Kingdom's record in Africa was mixed, and with Grasse regards the Opium Wars
Opium Wars
The Opium Wars, also known as the Anglo-Chinese Wars, divided into the First Opium War from 1839 to 1842 and the Second Opium War from 1856 to 1860, were the climax of disputes over trade and diplomatic relations between China under the Qing Dynasty and the British Empire...
as brutal, contending likewise about Britain's suppression of the Indian Mutiny of 1857. However, he advocates that the British Empire, nevertheless, "was overwhelmingly a force for stability and good."