Embedded Files
Finally, let’s go. The biggest empire of all time. The big show. The champ is here… Wait. That’s in the next period. Think of this as the prequel. By 1763, the British Empire was still small time. It was a Trading Post Empire (see the map below). Notice their biggest colony?? It’s us (USA). So, they are about to lose that as well at the beginning of the next period. But, don’t feel bad for the measly British Empire. The British East India Trading Company is one of the biggest entities in the world during this period (and the next one too). It’s no VOC (Dutch), but it’s a big deal. So, get to know the British Empire… they’ll be here for awhile:
The early British empire c. 1763
The early British empire c. 1763
The British East India Company; Founded December 31, 1600
The Dutch East India Company (orange line) and British East India Company (red line) set up their own East India Companies in the Indian ocean regions and monopolized the spice trade between c. 1600-1700. British East India Company [EIC], focused in trading the black peppers, on the other hand, Dutch East India company [VOC], monopolized the nutmeg and clove traded . This map focus how VOC was powerful compared to EIC in spice trade at the beginning of the 1600s.
The British East India Company; Founded December 31, 1600
The Dutch East India Company (orange line) and British East India Company (red line) set up their own East India Companies in the Indian ocean regions and monopolized the spice trade between c. 1600-1700. British East India Company [EIC], focused in trading the black peppers, on the other hand, Dutch East India company [VOC], monopolized the nutmeg and clove traded . This map focus how VOC was powerful compared to EIC in spice trade at the beginning of the 1600s.
British East India Company painting depicting an official of the Company.
c. 1760. The officer is dressed in British garb & is waited upon by Indian servants.
In the early days of the East India Company the British & Indians mixed easily, as is shown in Johan Zoffany’s Colonel Mordaunt’s Cock Match (1784-8). This painting suggests that there were some friendly relations and the two sides are mixing on effectively friendly terms.
1700s British shipping routes visualized using modern mapping technologies
1700s British shipping routes visualized using modern mapping technologies
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I
Born 7th September 1533, Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII, and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. In 1588, the Spanish King Philip sent a fleet of 130 ships, known as the Spanish Armada, to England--with the hopes of destroying her. However, the Queen organized an English fleet which met the Armada in the English Channel. He strategy was to send burning ships into the midst of the Spanish ships, forcing them to split up and scatter. The Spanish retreated, intending to sail around the British Isles and back to Spain and saving the British Empire. She is also known for sending British merchant ships around the globe looking for 'business'.
Sir Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake
Francis Drake was born between 1540 and 1544, in England. He went to work for a sea captain at a young age and found his home living and working on a ship. Drake's first expedition was to Africa he captured people to sell into slavery. Then he sailed across the Atlantic to the New World. There he sold enslaved people at a Spanish port, but they were betrayed. Spanish warships attacked his fleet and destroyed many of the British ships. Drake was able to escape, but he never forgave the Spanish. Later, Queen Elizabeth had made Sir Francis Drake vice admiral of the English navy. When the Spanish Armada arrived, he realized that he had far fewer ships. Many thought he, the Queen and England were done. But Drake had the brilliant idea to light several empty English ships on fire and he sailed them into the middle of the Spanish fleet. The Spanish panicked, fled, and Drake was an instant hero.
Page updated
Report abuse