The Rise of the British Empire
Ever wondered how a small island nation became the world's largest empire? The British Empire started in the late 1500s under Queen Elizabeth I and grew into something extraordinary by 1913.
At its height, the empire controlled 400 million people - that's more than the entire population of Europe today! This wasn't just about having lots of land; it was about power, money, and control. The British government and wealthy British people got incredibly rich from their colonies.
However, this success came at a terrible cost for the people being colonised. British laws and customs were forced upon local populations, who lost their right to govern themselves. Many faced violent oppression and had their traditional ways of life destroyed.
Britain built this empire for three main reasons: to gain more money through trade and resources, to increase their global power, and to spread Christianity and British culture around the world.
Quick Fact: The British Empire lasted nearly 400 years, spreading from the Americas to Africa, Asia, and Australasia!