Great Britain

The English became great explorers under Elizabeth I in the late 1500's. Beginning in 1607, England established a line of colonies in North America. The United States became independent in 1776, but Great Britain retained Canada. During the 18th and 19th centuries the British took over India. Burma, Malaya, and other lands of Asia, some as colonies, some as protectorates. They founded settlement colonies in Australia and New Zealand, and won control of large areas in Africa from the Cape of Good Hope to Egypt. They also acquired many strategic islands and ports throughout the world.

Canada's colonial status ended in 1867, Australia's in 1900, New Zealand's in 1907, and South Africa's in 1910. After World War I, these self-governing dominions became independent members of the new Commonwealth of Nations. After World War II, almost all of the British colonies attained independence. Until granted independence in 1947, India and Pakistan together formed Britain's largest colony, the Empire of India (the British monarch being its emperor). Most of the former colonies became sovereign members of the Commonwealth.