Did rulers who expanded their territories manage to retain them long-term?

Some rulers who expanded their territories managed to retain them long-term, while others did not.

The success of rulers in retaining their expanded territories long-term largely depended on a variety of factors, including their governance strategies, the strength of their military, their diplomatic relations, and the socio-economic conditions of the territories they conquered.

One example of a ruler who successfully retained his expanded territories is Augustus, the first Roman Emperor. He expanded the Roman Empire significantly and established a system of governance that allowed the empire to maintain these territories long after his death. His administrative reforms, including the establishment of a standing army, the creation of a civil service, and the implementation of a taxation system, ensured the stability and longevity of the territories under Roman control.

On the other hand, there were rulers like Napoleon Bonaparte, who managed to expand their territories rapidly but failed to retain them in the long run. Napoleon's expansionist policies led to the formation of a vast empire that included many parts of Europe. However, his aggressive expansion and lack of diplomatic finesse led to widespread resentment and the formation of coalitions against him. His defeat in the Battle of Waterloo marked the end of his rule and the rapid dissolution of his empire.

Similarly, the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan expanded rapidly to become the largest contiguous land empire in history. However, after Genghis Khan's death, the empire was divided into several smaller khanates due to succession disputes. These khanates gradually lost their territories due to internal conflicts and external invasions.

In the case of the British Empire, it managed to retain most of its territories for a considerable period due to its naval supremacy, administrative efficiency, and the policy of indirect rule. However, the rise of nationalism and the economic strain of two World Wars led to the gradual decolonisation process in the 20th century.

Therefore, while some rulers were successful in retaining their expanded territories long-term, others were not. The success or failure in retaining these territories was influenced by a combination of military strength, administrative efficiency, diplomatic relations, and the socio-economic conditions of the conquered territories.