The Early British Empire

Pre-1497 Context

• In 1497, the British Empire did not exist.
• England was the largest power in the British Isles.
  • Wales, the Isle of Man, and part of Ireland were under English control.
  • Scotland was independent and allied with France.

Henry VII and Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot)

• King Henry VII aimed to improve England’s trade.
• Hired Giovanni Caboto, an Italian navigator, to find a northern route to China.
• Caboto landed in North America, the first European since the Vikings.

Henry VIII's Reign

• Incorporated Wales into England, granting parliamentary representation.
• Established the Church of England, creating a religious divide with Ireland.
• Declared himself King of Ireland, which changed little in practice.

Queen Mary I's Reign

• Married Philip II of Spain, began the Irish plantations.
• Lands were confiscated from Irish lords for English settlement.

Elizabeth I's Reign

• Reinstated Protestant laws, angering Spain’s Catholic Philip II.
• Supported Dutch privateers against Spanish trade.
• Employed Sir Francis Drake, a privateer who raided Spanish ships.
• Sponsored settlers like Sir Walter Raleigh to establish colonies.
• Continued Irish plantations.
• Tensions with Spain led to the Spanish Armada, which failed against England's defense.
• Founded the East India Company, granting it trade monopoly with India.

James I of England

• Ended war with Spain, faced assassination attempts like the Gunpowder Plot.
• Sponsored colonial ventures and plantations in Ireland.
• Supported the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America.

The Growth of the English Colonies

• Jamestown faced challenges, including conflicts with Native Americans.
• Transitioned from indentured servants to African slaves for labor.
• Colonial expansion driven by trade, especially in cash crops like tobacco and sugar.
• Involved in the Atlantic Triangle trade, trading goods, slaves, and cash crops.

Oliver Cromwell and the Commonwealth

• The English Civil War led to a temporary republic.
• Cromwell suppressed Irish revolts, redistributed land.
• Brief conflict with Spain resulted in acquiring Jamaica.
• Charles II restored monarchy, gained New Amsterdam (New York) from Dutch.

Late 17th Century to Early 18th Century

• William of Orange’s ascension led to conflict in Ireland.
• Scotland’s failed attempt at colonization in Panama led to economic strain.
• Act of Union (1707) unified England and Scotland, forming Great Britain.

Colonial and Military Expansion

• Britain gained territories from France and Spain after European wars.
• Seven Years' War expanded British territory in North America and India.
• The East India Company played a crucial role in India through trade and politics.
• British expansion in India often involved manipulation of local powers.

The American Revolution

• British colonies in America declared independence due to taxation and lack of representation.
• Led by George Washington, supported by France and Spain, resulted in British defeat.

Conclusion

• The British Empire’s formation was slow, driven by diverse motives including religion, wealth, and global influence.
• Colonial successes expanded European conflicts worldwide, intertwining global politics.
• Final remarks on the historical narrative's educational value.