Hastings By Jess.carrigan Period: 1000 to 2000 . 1066 Battle of Hastings 1215 King John signs the Magna Carta 1607 England establishes colonies that become the USA 1842 Britain dominates parts of China 1858 Britain takes control of India 1914 Britain controls large sections of Africa 1945 Britain helps win World war II 1989 Britain helps win The Cold War 1991 Britain helps win the first Gulf War