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Definition: British Empire from Collins English Dictionary

n

1 (formerly) the United Kingdom and the territories under its control, which reached its greatest extent at the end of World War I when it embraced over a quarter of the world's population and more than a quarter of the world's land surface


British Empire

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Empire covering, at its height in the 1920s, about a sixth of the landmass of the Earth, all of its lands recognizing the United Kingdom (UK) as their leader. It consisted of the Empire of India, four self-governing countries known as dominions, and dozens of colonies and territories. The Empire was a source of great pride to the British, who believed that it was an institution for civilizing the world, and for many years Empire Day (24 May) saw celebration throughout the UK. After World War II it began to dissolve as colony after colony became independent, and in 2001 the UK had only 13 small dependent territories. With 53 other independent countries, it forms the British Commonwealth . Although Britain's monarch is accepted as head of the Commonwealth, most of its member states are republics. The present Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent states. Only one of its members, Mozambique, which joined in 1995, was never a British colony (it was Portuguese). The…
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Full text Article British Empire

From Philip's Encyclopedia
Despite the loss of the USA (1783) and the strong...
Overseas territories ruled by Britain from the 16th to the 20th century. Historians distinguish two empires. The first, based mainly on commercial ventures (such as sugar and tobacco plantations), missionary activities and slave trading, resulted in the creation of British colonies in the Caribbean…
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Full text Article British empire.

From The Oxford Companion to British History
At its apogee, around 1920, the British empire was the greatest—the biggest, at any rate—ever known. It was reputed to cover a quarter of the world's land area, and a fifth of its population. Most of that, however, was of recent provenance. Like all mighty oaks, this one had a tiny origin. A…
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Full text Article British Empire

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
overseas territories linked to Great Britain in a variety of constitutional relationships, established over a period of three centuries. The establishment of the empire resulted primarily from commercial and political motives and emigration movements (see imperialism ); its long endurance resulted…
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Full text Article British Empire

From Encyclopedia of World Trade: From Ancient Times to the Present Full text Article A-Z Entries
An empire that controlled a vast portion of world trade for more than two centuries. Britain began its expansionist course during the seventeenth century, entering the colonial game begun by other European powers in the previous century. Over the course of the next two centuries, the British empire…
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Full text Article British Empire

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Worldwide system of dependencies—colonies, protectorates, and other territories—that over a span of three centuries came under the British government. Territorial acquisition began in the early 17th century with a group of settlements in North America and West Indian, South Asian, and African…
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Full text Article British Empire

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
The colonies of the British Empire sent more than 2.5 million men to fight for Britain's cause during World War I. India was the largest single provider, contributing nearly 1.3 million men. It is estimated that Canada sent some 418,000 men overseas, Australia contributed 322,000, South Africa more…
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Full text Article British Empire

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Current name Colonial names and history Colonized Independent India British East India Company 18th century–1858 1947 Pakistan British East India Company 18th century–1858 1947 Myanmar Burma 1866 1948 Sri Lanka Portuguese, Dutch 1602–1796; Ceylon 1802–1972 16th century 1948 Ghana Gold Coast; British…
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Full text Article British Empire

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Empire covering, at its height in the 1920s, about a sixth of the landmass of the Earth, all of its lands recognizing the United Kingdom (UK) as their leader. It consisted of the Empire of India, four self-governing countries known as dominions, and dozens of colonies and territories. The Empire was…
| 3,288 words
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Full text Article British Empire

From Chambers Dictionary of World History
There were in fact several British Empires: the empire of commerce and settlement in the Caribbean and North America, founded in the 17c and partly lost when the 13 colonies declared their independence in 1776; the empire in the East, founded in the 17c but developed through the extensive conquest…
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Full text Article Order of the British Empire

From Brewer's Dictionary of Modern Phrase and Fable
The OBE was instituted by George V on 4 June 1917, in the darkest days of the First World War, as a way of rewarding British and Allied subjects who had rendered conspicuous service at home, in India, and in the Dominions and Colonies other than that rendered by the Navy or Army. It was divided into…
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