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Empire on the brink

Empire on the brink

Matthew Parker explores the widening cracks as the British empire reached its maximum territorial extent

Published: November 1, 2023 at 8:30 AM

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In September 1923, the British empire reached its maximum territorial extent – a staggering 460 million people lived within its borders. Yet just as the imperial project reached its apex, writes Matthew Parker in today’s long read, cracks were widening.

HistoryExtra Long Reads brings you the best articles from BBC History Magazine, direct to your ears. Today’s feature originally appeared in the November 2023 issue (you can read it here) and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB.