Why should the colonies have stayed with Britain?

For many American colonists, the benefits of membership in the British Empire had offset its costs. Naval protection, access to a large free-trading area, easy credit, cheap manufactures, and restricted foreign competition had all contributed to a strong sense of loyalty to Britain and the Crown.

Why was the British Empire so successful for so long?

With land, with trade, with goods, and with literal human resources, the British Empire could grab more and more power. Profitability was key to British expansion, and the age of exploration brought wonderous and addictive delights to the British Empire.

Was the British Empire a force for good or bad?

No, the Empire has negatives but also many positives. Though the Empire has now been replaced by the Commonwealth, many now independent nations choose to be members of that organisation. This simply would not happen if the Empire had not had benefits for them as well as for Great Britain.

How were the British able to conquer the world?

In the 16th Century, Britain began to build its empire – spreading the country’s rule and power beyond its borders through a process called ‘imperialism’. This brought huge changes to societies, industries, cultures and the lives of people all around the world.

What was negative about the British Empire?

On the downside, people living in countries taken into the Empire often lost lands and suffered discrimination and prejudice. Countries in the Empire were also exploited for their raw materials. Slavery was another negative because despite the enormous profits made, the suffering of the slaves was terrible.

How does the British Empire affect us today?

The Empire brought blood and suffering to millions, but it also brought railways, roads and education. For good or ill, much of the world is the way it is today because of the Empire, from the way it looks, to the sports people play, from the religion we practise, to the language we speak.

What happened to the Loyalists after the Revolutionary War?

Shortly after a Bill of Rights was ratified as the first ten amendments, guaranteeing fundamental rights used as justification for the revolution. Around 60,000 Loyalists migrated to other British territories, particularly to (Canada), but the great majority remained in the United States.

What happened to the 13 colonies under British rule?

The Colonies Under British Rule. In the 1600s and 1700s, Europeans came to North America looking for religious freedom, economic opportunities, and political liberty. They created 13 colonies on the East Coast of the continent. Later, when the colonists won independence, these colonies became the 13 original states.

What were the significant results of the American independence?

Among the significant results of independence were American independence and the end of British merchantilism in America, opening up worldwide trade for the United States – including with Britain.

How did the American Revolution affect the Atlantic Revolution?

The American Revolution was the first wave of the Atlantic Revolutions: the French Revolution, the Haitian Revolution, and the Latin American wars of independence. Aftershocks reached Ireland in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and in the Netherlands. The Revolution had a strong,…