Why weren't the British successful in imposing their culture/language on their colonies?

[Pakistanian]

Unlike other European powers such as the French, Spanish, Portuguese etc? I think even the Germans and Italians left a stronger cultural impact on their few African colonies. I know English is a universal language and British culture is more popular plus the most influential nations in the world are all English-speaking former British settler colonies but those obviously retained British influence since most of the population was made up of British settlers whereas the French and Spanish were able to impose their culture and language on native people.

 

[Pakistanian]

The only non white place I think they were able to influence culturally would be the west indies

 

[Robert]

That’s because the culture of the slaves sent to the Caribbean was destroyed and replaced entirely by English language and Christianity.

The Spanish conquerors carried out extermination policies so also eradicated cultures. But I cannot think of a deliberate mass extermination policy by the British. Mismanaged famines, yes. They brought English teachers and missionaries but allowed conquered people in Ireland, Africa and India to retain their languages and religions.

 

[Pakistanian]

That’s because the culture of the slaves sent to the Caribbean was destroyed and replaced entirely by English language and Christianity.

The Spanish conquerors carried out extermination policies so also eradicated cultures. But I cannot think of a deliberate mass extermination policy by the British. Mismanaged famines, yes. They brought English teachers and missionaries but allowed conquered people in Ireland, Africa and India to retain their languages and religions.

Why were the French more successful than the British in imposing their culture? Today you can meet many Africans who speak French as their first language even though the French left decades ago whereas in the subcontinent many people in the rural areas don't speak any English.

 

[Pakistanian]

I've heard people suggest that Catholicism encouraged mixing whereas Protestantism was pro-segregation. I wonder if that explains why the British and Dutch weren't able to influence the native cultures in their colonies as strongly as the other European powers.

 

[Robert]

Why were the French more successful than the British in imposing their culture? Today you can meet many Africans who speak French as their first language even though the French left decades ago whereas in the subcontinent many people in the rural areas don't speak any English.

Don't know. Perhaps the French imperialists were more ruthless than the British imperialists, who felt their role was to impose order and bring Christianity, but not force it.

 

[Gilly]

Don't know. Perhaps the French imperialists were more ruthless than the British imperialists, who felt their role was to impose order and bring Christianity, but not force it.

Probably because asia had a more developed language including written.