The British Empire and the Strategic Control of Resources
British strategic thinking, influenced by Sir Halford John Mackinder, placed territorial conquest and strategic resources at the heart of the Empire’s foreign policy. As a leading maritime power, the United Kingdom relied on the Royal Navy, oil companies, and intelligence services to defend and expand its dominion. The rise of oil reshaped the rules of the game, revolutionizing strategies of conquest and turning the British Empire into a resource-driven colonial power. Subversive operations and intelligence tactics were often employed to safeguard this critical resource.