Events
Edward the first invaded and conqured north WalesWilliam of Normandy conquered England.Only five years after Christopher Columbus sailed to the West Indies, the Italian explorer John Cabot, financed by English merchants, discovered new lands in Canada.The East India Company began to build up a small empire of trading posts in India.Sir Walter Raleigh organised a small settlement at Roanoke in Virginia, but it failed.Captain John Smith founded a permanent colony at Jamestown in Virginia.In the 18th century, Britain fought a number of wars against France, taking over colonies established by the FrenchVictories by Robert Clive, especially the Battle of Plassey, drove out the French and established British control in India.During the Seven Years' War (1756‒1763) the British won Canada from the French with a notable victory coming from General James Wolfe's capture of Quebec in 1759.By 1783, Britain had established an empire which comprised: Colonies in Canada, America and the West Indies. Trading posts in India. Naval bases in the Mediterranean - Gibraltar and Minorca.Captain James Cook claimed New Zealand for the British crown.First shipment of transported prisoners to Australia.The Opium War forced China to allow British traders to sell the drug opium into China.There was a rebellion in India (the Indian Mutiny). The government took over rule of India from the East India Company.Canada was given 'dominion' (self-governing) status, followed by Australia and New Zealand in 1907.Queen Victoria was declared 'Empress of India'.The 'Scramble for Africa' – Britain acquired colonies in Africa stretching from Cairo to Cape Town. ‒1919The Second Boer War – the British conquered South Africa‒1902The Treaty of Versailles gave Germany's colonies as 'mandates' for Britain and France to administer.The British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Stadium. The Empire looked happy and strong.
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