The Oxford History of the British Empire: The eighteenth century

This volume explores the origins of empire. It shows how and why England, and later Britain, became involved with transoceanic navigation, trade, and settlement during the 16th and 17th centuries. The chapters, by leading historians, both illustrate the interconnections between developments in Europe and overseas and offer studies on every part of the world that was substantially affected by British colonial activity. As late as 1630 involvement with regions beyond the traditional confines of Europe was still tentative; by 1690 it had become a firm commitment.