Military history of the United Kingdom facts for kids

Defence spending in the UK

The Death of General Wolfe

The military history of the United Kingdom tells the story of how Britain's armed forces have fought in wars and conflicts. This history starts in 1707, when the Kingdom of Great Britain was formed by joining England and Scotland. It continues right up to today.

From the 1700s, as the British Empire grew and the country became strong in industry, the British military became one of the most powerful in Europe and the world. Its navy, especially, was the strongest naval force from the 1700s to the mid-1900s. It had major bases and coaling stations all around the globe.

After the two world wars and as countries gained independence from the empire, Britain's military became less dominant. New superpowers like the United States and the Soviet Union rose. However, Britain is still a major military power. It has often been involved in military actions around the world since the Cold War ended in 1991. Today, the British Armed Forces include the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force.

Since 1707, Britain has been involved in many armed conflicts. These wars have taken place on every continent except Antarctica.

18th Century Conflicts

The 1700s were a busy time for Britain's military. The country fought in many wars, often against other European powers.

• War of the Spanish Succession (1702–1713): Great Britain, along with the Holy Roman Empire, Portugal, and the Dutch Republic, fought against France and Spain. This war also included Queen Anne's War in North America.
• Jacobite Rebellions (1715–1716; 1719; 1745–1746): These were civil wars within Britain.
  • The Clifton Moor Skirmish (1745) was the last land battle fought in England.
  • The Battle of Culloden (1746) was the last land battle fought in Great Britain.
• War of Jenkins' Ear (1739–1742): Britain fought against Spain.
• War of the Austrian Succession (1742–1748): Britain, Austria, and the Dutch Republic fought against France and Germany.
• Seven Years' War (1756–1763): This is often called the first "world war" because it involved fighting across many continents. Britain, Hanover, Portugal, and Prussia were allied against France. This war included the French and Indian War in North America.
• American Revolutionary War (1775–1783): Britain fought against the United States, France, the Netherlands, and Spain. This war led to the independence of the United States.
• Wars in India: Britain fought several wars in India, including the First Anglo-Mysore War (1766–1769), Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780–1784), Third Anglo-Mysore War (1789–1792), and the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782).
• French Revolutionary Wars (1793–1802): Great Britain, Austria, Spain, Russia, and Germany fought against France during its revolution.

19th Century Conflicts

The 1800s saw Britain's military involved in many conflicts, including major wars in Europe and the expansion of its empire.

• Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815): This was a huge conflict where the United Kingdom, Prussia, Austria, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, and Russia fought against France, led by Napoleon Bonaparte. Key parts included the Peninsular War and the final defeat of Napoleon during the Hundred Days.
• War of 1812 (1812–1815): Britain fought against the United States.
• Wars in Asia: Britain fought many wars to expand its influence in Asia. These included the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839–1842), the First Opium War (1839–1842) against China, and the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–1846) in India.
• Crimean War (1854–1856): The United Kingdom, France, the Ottoman Empire, and Piedmont-Sardinia fought against Russia.
• Indian Rebellion (1857): A major uprising against British rule in India.
• Second Opium War (1856–1860): The United Kingdom and France fought against China again.
• Conflicts in Africa: Britain was involved in wars like the Anglo-Zulu War (1879) and the First Boer War (1880–1881) in Southern Africa, as well as the Mahdist War (1881–1899) in Sudan.
• Second Boer War (1899–1902): A major war in South Africa between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics.
• Boxer Rebellion (1900): The United Kingdom joined other major powers to put down an uprising in China.

20th Century Conflicts

The 1900s were marked by two massive world wars and the Cold War.

• World War I (1914–1918): Britain, France, Belgium, Serbia, Italy, Russia, and the United States fought against Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire. This was a global conflict that changed the world.
• Anglo-Irish War (1919–1921): A conflict for Irish independence.
• World War II (1939–1945): This was an even larger global conflict. Britain was a key Allied power fighting against Germany, Italy, and Japan. You can learn more about this in Military history of the United Kingdom during World War II.
• Cold War (1946–1990): This was a long period of tension and rivalry between the Western powers (led by the US and UK) and the Eastern Bloc (led by the Soviet Union). While not a direct war, it involved many smaller conflicts and proxy wars.
• Korean War (1950–1953): Britain sent troops as part of a United Nations force to defend South Korea. See United Kingdom in the Korean War.
• Suez Crisis (1956): Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt over control of the Suez Canal.
• Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation (1963–1966): Britain supported Malaysia against Indonesia.
• Northern Ireland Troubles (1969–mid-1990s): A long period of conflict in Northern Ireland.
• Falklands War (1982): Britain fought against Argentina over the Falkland Islands.
• Gulf War (1990–1991): Britain joined a coalition to free Kuwait from Iraqi invasion.

21st Century Conflicts

In the 2000s, Britain has continued to be involved in military operations around the world.

• War on Terror: Following the September 11 attacks, Britain joined the United States in the "War on Terror."
  • War in Afghanistan (2001–2021): British forces were part of the international effort in Afghanistan.
  • Iraq War (2003–2011): British forces were part of the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
• Libyan Civil War (2011): Britain participated in air operations to protect civilians.
• Military intervention against ISIS (2014–Ongoing): Britain has been involved in military actions against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

Civil Wars in Britain

Britain has also experienced civil wars within its own borders.

• Jacobite Rebellions (1715–1716; 1719; 1745–1746): These were the last major civil wars in Great Britain.
  • The Clifton Moor Skirmish (1745) was the last land battle on English soil.
  • The Battle of Culloden (1746) was the last land battle in Great Britain.

See also

• List of all military equipment current and former of the United Kingdom
• Declaration of war by the United Kingdom
• History of the British Army
• History of the Royal Navy
• History of the Royal Marines
• History of the Royal Air Force
• History of the foreign relations of the United Kingdom
• List of wars involving Great Britain
• List of wars in Great Britain
• Military history of England
• Military history of Scotland
• Military history of Ireland
• Military history of the United Kingdom during World War II
• Timeline of British diplomatic history
• French and Indian Wars