How did Britain develop as a world-power between 1660 and 1760?

The thesis of this sketch survey is that Britain developed through a combination of dynastic shifts, strategic trade outposts and aggressive nationalistic policies, expressed through its navy, into a position of world-wide authority (if not supremacy) between the years 1660 and 1760.

Christian Mission and Victorian Imperialism

This paper explores the role that Christian mission had in the development of Victorian Imperialism.

Nineteenth Century Christian Mission: The ideological arm of Western Imperialism?

A bishop visits his flock: Sierra Leone c1880 During the first half of the nineteenth century, academic societies and private associations often sponsored exploring expeditions, usually by selling financial shares in the enterprise. Geographical societies naturally wished to advance knowledge and make discoveries. Several rival expeditions originating from Britain, for example, intended to explore the [...]

Notes on Rise of Empire (1660-1760) assignment

Your assignment takes the shape of a 2500 word essay on the development of “Empire” in the history of Britain between the years 1660-1760. The overall strategy for this year’s fast-track course is Power politics, with the attempt being made to line up historical strategies for domination with contemporary issues currently on view in the [...]

The Making of the British Empire 1660-1760

In 1603, King James VI of Scotland ascended to the English throne and in 1604 negotiated the Treaty of London, ending hostilities with Spain. Now at peace with its main rival, English attention shifted from preying on other nations’ colonial infrastructure to the business of establishing its own overseas colonies.

The Interactive Emergence of European Domination

The opening of direct European voyages to Asia does not represent a world- historical transformation as fundamental as the establishment of the transatlantic routes but rather a reshaping of connections that had been developing for many centuries.

British India Overview (Dr Marjorie Bloy)

Early History In 1601 the English East India Company was founded. A group of City merchants decided to risk their capital only after there had been favourable reports about trade prospects in the East. They sought a monopoly of the East for trading purposes, dealing in silk, ivory, spices and cotton. This ultimately led to [...]