British Empire

The British Empire existed from the 16^th to the 19^th century and was composed of overseas territories that were ruled by Britain. The decisive factors for the establishment of the Empire were the emigration movement as well as commercial and political movements. Overall, it was a commercial Empire, led by hired monopoly companies and shielded by the royal marine. In the late 19^th and early 20^th century the British Empire included colonies all over the world.