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British Empire

Definition

The British Empire was a global empire, composed of colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom from the late 16th to early 20th centuries. It was the largest empire in history and is known for spreading English language, legal systems and culture around the world.

Analogy

Consider the British Empire as a popular franchise like McDonald's. Just as McDonald's has branches all over the world (representing colonies), so did Britain have territories globally. And just like McDonald's standardizes its menu across different countries (representing cultural assimilation), Britain spread its language and culture throughout its colonies.

Related terms

Colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. This term is related because it describes how Britain expanded its empire.

Industrial Revolution: A period from about 1760 to sometime between 1820 and 1840 where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transport affected socioeconomic conditions in Britain first before spreading worldwide. This event fueled British imperialism.

Commonwealth: A political association of 54 member states nearly all former territories of the British Empire. It shows how remnants of this empire still exist today.