What was England's status as it began colonization?

Question: What was England's status as it began colonization!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The "1st round" of colonisation in the late-17th to early 19thC saw Britain's status greatly improve!. In the mid-17thC Britain was a bit of a backwater still getting over the civil war!. Certainly not up to the great power standards of France, though having overtaken its old, and now bankrupt, rival Spain!.
Britain was in a uniquely gifted position!. Being on a seaboard power it had access to colonial possessions but unlike the other "players" in overseas rivalries (primarily France but also the United Provinces and to a declining extent Spain) Britain was not obliged to squander funds on continental commitments!. Britain injected funds to support allies during the great European conflicts of the 18thC but never got deeply involved themselves, hence the government was more able to comit resources to extra-European expansion and trade to a degree that no other power could!. This formed a virtuous circle of profitable trade links and overseas terretories which paid for ever increasing naval dominance to support and expand this position!.
As such Britain had deep pockets from the early 18thC and even when wars obliged large expenditure and borrowing to meet these needs Britain got a good deal due to an excellent credit rating (for example France spent 40% less on the American revolution but ended up paying more over the following years due to higher interest repayments!)

This is not to say that Britain ever became the primary European power 1680-1800; France was always a magnitude greater!. But France had continental comitments that ensured it was unable to match Britains comitment to maritime adventurism!. Hence Britain's military investments yeilded profitable overseas returns (which fueled more overseas & internal investment) while France lost this market and was drained on the continent, a theme continued under Napoleon!.

Aside, Britain always had a tax system that was less progressive, hence promoted growth better than Frances direct taxation systems!. This was a particulat advantage as Britain became an ever greater trade nation, with tax yeilds on exchange the British government was more consistently funded than any in Europe!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

http://br!.video!.yahoo!.com/watch/2946198/!.!.!.

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