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The British Empire began as an attempt by the British Army to protect its colonies and trading centers and because the conquered peoples preferred British law to that of their former rulers. It captured New York from the Dutch. The Dutch in New York preferred living under English law and fought against any plans to return New York to the Netherlands. In the French and Indian War, England conquered Canada. French Canadians preferred English law over French Law and became loyal citizens. The situation changed in India. There, the British army fought on the side of a winning king. When the king died, the British Army remained. The people preferred British stable government over the constant warfare they had been experiencing. In some places like Jamaica and the Caribbean islands, the British simply moved in and the Spanish left deciding the places were not worth fighting over. If a place did not have mines or military value, the Spanish saw little value in keeping it. In Africa, the British would help one tribe fight another and then rule both. The British Empire began gradually. It gradually expanded. Then it collapsed.
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CoachEnglish traders frequently engaged in hostilities with the Portugese and Dutch. With the defeat of the Dutch in 1612 it was considered necessary to gain a foothold in India. A diplomatic mission was launched in 1615 to arrange commercial treaties with the Moghul Empire. The mission was successful and Trading Posts were created in Surat, 1612, Madras 1639 and by 1647 had 23 factories in India
The British Empire grew firstly because of Trade:
- To sell luxury goods that had been brought cheaply in the Empire for more money in Britain.
- To get raw materials to make goods e.g. cotton for cloth
- To sell goods to the colonies
- To spread Christianity
- Having a large Empire made Britain powerful
- Having a large Empire made Britain very Wealthy.
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Where did the british empire control an entire continent?
north America The British Empire controlled an entire continent in Australia. The British Empire was the largest empire in history.
How did the British empire lose land?
Why did The British Empire lose their land?
Was the Caribbean part of the British empire?
Yes. It joined the British Empire in 1625 ;P
Are most of the countries that are in the Commonwealth were part of the British Empire?
They were all part of the British Empire
What phrase describes the size of the British empire?
The sun never sets on the British Empire.
