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1497
John Cabot crossed the Atlantic from England.
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The deaft of the Spanish Armada at the time of Elizabeth I, gave Britain the chance and the confidence to develop her own influence in different continents.
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Caribbean islands like Bermudas, Bahamas and Barbados were taken by Britain.
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English settlers found Virginia, the first of thirteen permanent colonies along the east coast of North America.
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The British had been building up their influence in Asia.
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Seven years war.
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Britain's power was growing around the world.
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Exploration of the Pacific region by sailors like James Cook led to the huge new colony of Australia.
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Rule Britannia, rule the world was first performed.
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European settlement was the Dutch colony at the Cape of Good Hope. The cap was taken from the Duch by the British, and then later missionaries, explorers and merchants helped to open the way north into the centre of the continent.