History of the Royal Navy II

In this episode, part II of our 2-part series on the history of the Royal Navy, we trace its evolution from the 1707 Act of Union to the present day, following how the merger of English and Scottish naval forces helped create a dominant global maritime power. The episode explores the Navy’s rise to supremacy during the Napoleonic Wars, its transformation from wooden sailing ships to fleets powered by steam and built with steel, and its crucial roles in both World Wars. We also examine the Navy’s changing place in the modern world, from its postwar shift behind the United States to its involvement in major conflicts such as the Suez Crisis and the Falklands War. Finally, we look at the Royal Navy in the Cold War and beyond, including its role in supporting the Trident nuclear deterrent and the impact of budget-driven fleet reductions on its current strategy and capabilities.