Making of the Empire (1497-1583)
The foundation of the British Empire began with a period of exploration and discovery from 1497 to 1583. This era was characterized by the establishment of trading posts and the initiation of emigration and settlement in various regions around the world. The map highlights several key areas that would become part of the Commonwealth, including Belize, Jamaica, and various Caribbean islands such as The Bahamas, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Highlight: The first permanent British settlement in North America was established in 1607 at Jamestown, Virginia, marking a significant milestone in the empire's expansion.
The map also shows early British influence in African nations such as Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Cameroon, as well as in southern African countries like Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. This period laid the groundwork for what would become known as the "First British Empire."
Definition: The "First British Empire" 1607−1783 encompassed territories in the West Indies, Canada, Bengal India, and North America.
A crucial event in this period was the loss of the 13 American colonies in 1783, which marked the end of the First British Empire and led to a shift in imperial focus.
Vocabulary: Commonwealth Länder refers to the countries that are members of the modern Commonwealth of Nations, many of which were former British colonies.
The map also indicates the evolution into the "Second British Empire" 1783−1918/45, which saw further expansion into Africa, Australia, and the formalization of British rule in India. A significant moment in this era was when Queen Victoria was crowned Empress of India in 1876, solidifying British control over the subcontinent.
Example: The Cape Colony, established in 1795, later became part of the Union of South Africa in 1902, exemplifying the empire's expansion in Africa.
The transition from Empire to Commonwealth is depicted, showing the development of "white" colonies and the granting of "Dominion status" to Canada 1867, Australia 1900, New Zealand 1900, South Africa 1910, and Ireland 1922. This process culminated in the 1931 Statute of Westminster, which replaced the term "Empire" with "British Commonwealth of Nations."
Quote: "1931: Statute of Westminster replaces 'Empire' by 'British Commonwealth of Nations'"
The map concludes by illustrating the decolonization process after World War II, with India gaining independence in 1947 and Ghana in 1957. The final act of the empire's dissolution is marked by the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997.
Highlight: The modern Commonwealth of Nations is described as "a voluntary association of 52 independent sovereign states, most of which are former British colonies."
This comprehensive overview provides a visual and textual journey through the formation, expansion, and eventual transformation of the British Empire into the contemporary Commonwealth, highlighting key historical events and the global reach of British influence over several centuries.
