... surrounding the two World Wars, there was an upsurge in nationalist thought among the Dominions of the Empire. The Empire was reduced in size and supremacy during these early decades of the twentieth century. Former colonies gained new status and privileges. Imperial Conferences introduced self-governing policies for more Dominions in the 1910's and 1920's. By the time the world had survived it's second world war, the British Empire had become an unrecognisable shadow of it's former self. How these changes occurred and the radical thinking that led to these astounding changes changed the course of global history. Imperialism was a driving factor in British foreign policy, as well as European foreign policy as a whole from 1870 to 1914. Technological advancements at the time, as well as economic, political and social reasons all contributed to this sudden flurry of overseas expansion by European powers. 'The scramble for Africa' had well ...

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