The British Empire was known as a worldwide system of dependencies, colonies, dependent political units called protectorates, and other territories. During three centuries these units were under the control of the sovereignty of the crown of Great Britain and the administration of the British government. It was the largest formal empire the world has ever known. As such its power and influence stretched all over the globe, shaping it in many ways. For better or worse, the British Empire had a great impact on the history of the world.

Great Britain made its first experimental efforts to establish overseas settlements in the 16th century. This overseas expansion was driven mostly by commercial ambitions, such as trade and industry, but also, by the competition with France. The many efforts resulted in the establishment of settlements in North America and the W

However, the greatest 19th century extension of British power took place in Africa. Britain was the acknowledged ruling force in Egypt from 1882 and also in Sudan from 1899. In the second half of the century, the Royal Niger Company began to extend British influence in Nigeria, the Gold Coast (known as Ghana today) and Gambia also became British possessions. The Union of South Africa was created a few years after, in 1910.

The British military and naval power gained for Britain the two most important parts of the empire: Canada and India. Even the Seven Years’ War left Britain dominant in Canada. That is why today there can still be found many French speaking places, like Ontario and so on. Robert Clive’s military victories against the French and the rulers of Bengal, in the 1750’s, provided the British with a massive increase of territory and ensured their future supremacy in India.

Some topics in this essay:
British Empire, South Africa’s, Robert Clive’s, Colonial Office, India Britain, Hong Kong, World War, War II, Gold Coast, China British, british empire, british government, world war, british colony, 19th century, 17th 18th centuries, officially british, british influence, dependent political, south africa, 18th centuries, chosen british government,