History of the British Empire

The British Empire was the largest colonial empire in history and extended over all five continents. Benedikt Stuchtey gives a profound overview of its 500-year history from the first settlement of Newfoundland in 1497 to the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, describing the motives behind colonial expansion such as free trade and the mission of civilisation, the prominent role of the Navy and the dark sides of the Empire - from the destruction of indigenous people and slavery to exploitation and famine crises and colonial wars.