This document outlines key events in the rise and fall of the British Empire from 1578 to 1997, including Queen Elizabeth granting a patent for overseas exploration in 1578, the Acts of Union uniting Scotland and England in 1707, the establishment of colonies in India and Asia, the golden age of the empire between World War I and II, and its decline after World War II as Britain lost the ability and will to maintain its colonies, ultimately handing over the last territory to China in 1997.

1. 1497-1997

2.  1578 Queen Elizabeth Grants Humphrey
Gilbert a patent to discover and explore
overseas territory
 Colonies in the Americas often folded with
only Barbados, St.Kitts and Nevis succeeding
in the Caribbean's
 Acts of Union in 1707 Unite Scotland and
England Into the United Kingdom

3.  American Colonies
referred to as First
British Empire Until
American
 Struggle to Build
Empire with Other
European Nations
 India and Asian
Colonies Establashed

4. EMPIRE DURING WORLD
WORLD WAR 1-2 WAR 1-2
 Between World War 1
and until World War 2
saw the golden age of
British Empire
 Treaty of Versailles
gave Britain dominion
over the Conquered
Axis lands

5.  World War 2 saw the
decline of Empire
 Britain was Expended
both militarily and
financially unable to
maintain a presence in
its colonies
 National Liberation
Movements, also
helped end ambitions
of Empire

6.  1997 last British
Territory handed over
to china
 Bases and small
enclaves of territory
are a fraction of what
the empire was
 The Legacy of Empire
resides in its enduring
culture it left to the
people they ruled