User:DecafPotato/drafts/British Empire

British Empire
Left: Flag of Great Britain (1707–1801) Right: Flag of the United Kingdom (1801–present)
All regions once part of the British Empire (light red) and the current United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies (darker red)

The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other dependent territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states.

History

Further information: Historiography of the British Empire

1583–1707: English overseas possessions

Main article: English overseas possessions

1707–1783: First British Empire

Formation of the Kingdom of Great Britain

Main articles: Scottish colonization of the Americas, Acts of Union 1707, and Kingdom of Great Britain

Territory

Main article: Territorial evolution of the British Empire