Birth of the
British Empire
BRITISH DOMINATION OF WORLD
TRADE IN THE 18TH CENTURY WAS A
PRODUCT OF MERCANTILISM AND
MILITARY SUCCESS.
Evidence
 Navigation
 British
 War
Act of 1651
East India Company
of Spanish Succession (1701-1713)
 Asiento
 War
of Austrian Succession (1740-1746)
 Seven
Years’ War (1756-1763)
 Treaty
of Paris of 1763
Mercantilism

The concept of mercantilism was based on the notion
that wealth is determined by the amount of bullion in
the state.

The goal was to increase bullion reserves by decreasing
imports and increasing exports, thus bringing gold and
silver into the country.

Governments carefully regulated the economy to
achieve this goal.

France, the Dutch, and England shared polices that
promoted the merchant marine and shipbuilding
industries and the expansion of international trade and
acquisition of colonies
England





In England under the Oliver Cromwell Parliament
passed the Navigation Act of 1651, which required
all English goods to be transported on English ships.
The Navigation Act of the 17th century created a
strong shipbuilding and shipping industry
Successful industries gave the English many
manufactured goods to sell, from clocks to
firearms
English mercantilist regulations guaranteed
England’s trading dominance in their colonies
Cromwell, like the Dutch, allowed the immigrations
of Jews to England because of their success in
business.
British Military Success Paves the Way for
Economic Dominance

England defeated the Dutch in several wars in the 17th
century and pushed them out of the Atlantic network along
with seizing New Amsterdam (New York).

The British East India Company undermined the Dutch
position in Asian and won important trade concessions
from the Mughal emperor in India in the early 18th century

As a result of its role in defeating France in the War of
Spanish Succession (1701-1713), Britain acquired the
French colonies of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and
Hudson Bay and the asiento from Spain, which gave Britain
control of the slave trade in the New World.

British naval domination was demonstrated during the
Seven Years’ War (1756-1763)

The Treaty of Paris of 1763 that ended the war gave Britain the
remaining French territories in Canada and east of the Mississippi,
and most important India.