Learn about the cost of maintaining a maritime empire in America by considering the wreck of the British sloop Industry, which sank off the coast of Saint Augustine in 1764. The loss of the ship along with her cargo demonstrates that...

This site is provided for by the Fordham University. Read an excerpt from Clive's speech to the House of Commons regarding the rule of the East India Company over India. Offers excellent perspective on the imperialistic, superior...

A fascinating article examining the issue of white Europeans who ended up being sold or kidnapped into slavery in North Africa during the 17th century. Archived.

History of slavery and sugar cultivation practices on the island colony. Archived.

John Adams' response in this critical essay to the definition of the "British Empire", not an empire as other European monarchies, but a republic by constitution. Link to "Massachusettensis" for a Biography of Daniel Leonard.

Pictorial exhibit of the Independence Day celebrations in India commemorating the nation's independence from the British Empire on August 15, 1947.

Read a brief biography of Robert Clive, a leader largely responsible for the conquest of India for the British East India Company.

A engaging biography of the great British explorer that discusses not only his contributions to expanding the British empire but also his work in the prevention of scurvy. Archived.

Learn about the theory of mercantilism and how it affected the economies of the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. Practice making a bar graph showing the value of exports to and imports from England between 1700 and 1774 with...

This site from the Open Door Website provides a brief description of the events leading to the conflict between British and French imperilaist desires in North Africa, in Sudan. A political cartoon is available.

From a Republic to an Empire. In legend Rome was founded in 753 B.C.E. by Romulus, its first king. In 509 B.C.E. Rome became a republic ruled by the Senate (wealthy landowners and elders) and the Roman people. During the 450 years of the...

Hadrian (reigned 117-138 C.E.), once a tribune in three different legions of the Roman army and commander of a legion in one of Trajan's wars, was often shown in military uniform. He was clearly keen to project the image of an ever-ready...

Fordham University provides this site with a letter from Sir Robert Clive discussing the Battle of Plassey. Primary source document from the Modern History Sourcebook.

The history, purpose, and structure of the Commonwealth of Nations are presented. Main areas covered by this site include the origin and membership of the Commonwealth of Nations. External links for further research are also provided.

This is the overview page for all the topics relating to Benjamin Disraeli, including his works and a biography.

This Library of Congress document gives extensive information about the history of Bangladesh. This initial page gives the historical setting and then you'll need to go back to the table of contents to click on each historical topic.

An account of Sir Francis Drake's voyage to the South Seas, and then around the Earth, that he began in 1577. The narrative is attributed to Francis Pretty, a member of the crew.

At this site from the Indian History Sourcebook of Fordham University, you can read two accounts dating back to 1617 of the British presence in India through the East India Company. Accounts written by an anonymous Frenchman and by...

This site provides a discussion of the fall of Nawab Siraj-Ud Daulah to the British.

Perhaps the Loyalists had some concrete reasons to support staying part of the British Empire. Read about who was a Loyalist and why. Particularly interesting is the reason behind so many slaves supporting Britain and what happened to...

A map of eastern Canada in 1791 after the American Revolution, during the formation of British North America and the division of Quebec into the largely French-speaking Lower Canada and the Loyalist Upper Canada. The map is color-coded...

A map from 1906 of the Chinese Empire, showing the political boundaries of the time, major cities, treaty ports, foreign possessions, railroads, terrain, lakes, rivers, and coastal features. Two inset maps detail the Korean Peninsula,...

A map from 1920 of the eastern portion of the Indian Empire from Sadiya in the Assam Province to Tavoy in the southern portion of Burma (Myanmar). The map shows Feudatory Native States in yellow, the British sphere of influence in Siam...

An in-depth look at the history of Brunei based on the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes. Read the course of Brunei's history from empire to British protectorate to independence.