Final answer:
Geography was instrumental in the rise of the British Empire by providing strategic trade routes, access to resources, and enabling the Royal Navy to assert control over maritime commerce. Pax Britannica integrated the empire globally, while the industrial revolution supported its economic might. The shift in global power towards the end of the century marked the decline of British dominance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geography played a critical role in the British Empire's expansion and control over territories during the 18th and 19th centuries. The strategic location of British colonies, such as those in India, provided access to vital trade routes and resources. The Royal Navy's dominance of the oceans facilitated the protection of trade routes and colonies, reinforcing the Empire's economic and political power. After the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, the absence of major rivals allowed Britain to establish a global power based on Pax Britannica (British Peace), effectively positioning itself as the world's arbitrator. The British Empire's geographical expanse enabled the integration of diverse territories into a singular empire, strengthened by the free market ideals that drove the industrial revolution and economic growth. The empire's naval supremacy and the ability to control maritime trade routes were central to its ability to conquer and take over territories.
However, as the 19th century waned, new industrialized nations like Germany and the United States emerged, challenging British dominance. Changing political and economic landscapes, such as the decline of the Ottoman Empire and ensuing conflicts like the Crimean War, signaled the beginning of the end for British preeminence in world affairs. Nonetheless, throughout the century, Britain's geographical advantages had been a determinative factor in the establishment and maintenance of its empire.