Summary and Review

The eighteenth century marked the rise of Great Britain as a commercial and military power, with significant expansion of its empire, including the establishment of Restoration colonies like New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The era also saw the Glorious Revolution, which limited monarchical power and established constitutional monarchy, alongside the emergence of slavery as a cornerstone of the economy. Cultural movements such as the Great Awakening and the Enlightenment influenced colonial society, fostering a sense of shared identity among British subjects, while wars for empire, particularly the French and Indian War, solidified Britain's dominance in North America but also sowed seeds of future conflict due to rising debts and tensions with the colonies.