first the British Empire - the name, secured the largest colonial empire in 1583 - 1783 years.Her story began in the "golden age" of Queen Elizabeth I. His claim on America England said more in the last third of the XV century after the discovery of Newfoundland, but it took about a century to the day when an island off the eastern coast of North America has been declared the first English colony.This significant event took place in 1583 and marked the beginning of the formation of the empire.
Spain, believe in the historical period of the largest colonial power, interfered with the interests of the British Crown in the capture of new territories.After the defeat of the "Pirates of Elizabeth" Spanish "great and glorious armada" (1588), the main rival to the sea no longer interfere with the British conquest in the implementation plans.After the conclusion of the London Agreement (1604) that ended hostilities with Spain, England began to establish their own overseas colonies.At the beginning of the XVII century there were small settlements in the West Indies and North America, as well as private companies have been created for trade with Asia.
Jamestown, countdown leading its history since 1607, became the first English settlement in North America.After some time, the British Empire extended its borders at the expense of the newly created colony of Plymouth, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Carolina.
In the second half of the XVII century, Britain was able to establish control over the province of New Amsterdam, formerly owned by Holland.Later, it was renamed New York.In 1681 on the map of North America there was a colony of Pennsylvania.British colonies on the continent attracted many British immigrants, who arranged a temperate climate, and most importantly, large areas suitable for agriculture land.It should be noted that until the second half of the XVIII century, the English colonization was largely peaceful.The British Empire mastered the sparsely populated areas in which everyone had a space to live their life to everything.
first British Empire from an economic point of view was based on slavery.Until 1807, when the slave trade was abolished, Britain transported to America, 3.5 million African slaves.Researchers claim that during transport across the Atlantic was dying every seventh servant.This fact has been and remains a shameful chapter in the history of colonization.
In the XVII century with the founding of the London merchants of the East India Company began the penetration of the British in India.By 1640 English factories were set up in India, Southeast Asia and the Far East.The East India Company in 1690 began building Calcutta, and a decade later, virtually all of the Indian subcontinent was under its control.
British Empire experienced the first crisis, when during the War of Independence, lost thirteen colonies in North America.However, recognition of the independence of the United States is not dead British imperial ambitions.The British presence was strengthened in Canada, and a little later in Australia and New Zealand.Then followed the era of new conquests, and the gigantic expansion of territories according to the UK, and at the same time there was an increase of anti-colonial movement.The collapse of the British Empire was predictable, and after the two world wars of the first half of the XX century has become a fait accompli.
