Empire Builders - Episode 7: The British Empire - The World's Largest Superpower | History Documentary Watch 'Empire Builders - Episode 8' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue7FGY0FL7E In the 18th century, European powers combed the South Seas, searching out unexplored lands, treasures, and people. British ships, commanded by celebrated navigators such as Captain James Cook, led the way. British sea power led to discoveries that would lay the foundations for its empire. At the very heart of this great empire was India, a vast and exotic land, teeming with peoples, religions, and treasures. For almost 200 years the British would be the world's major power, and its empire the largest the world had ever seen. The roots of British power can be traced to the Caribbean, where the free labour of slaves imported from West Africa was used to harvest sugarcane, which European tastes craved as much, if not more, than other so-called Eastern delicacies, such as coffee, chocolate, tea, and spices. Then in the 18th and 19th century British plant hunters spread out across the world trading plants, transforming landscapes and building a commercial empire based on products such tea, cotton and rubber. The industrial revolution occurred in Britain first and it then exported products that the world wanted; railways, locomotives, steamships and the telegraph. Britain's empire was also one of conquest and credit. It was an empire based on money and on violence - and on the ability to employ large numbers of troops to fight. In this episode of Empire Builders, we explore 10 sites that made history, and chart the rise and fall of the British empire. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Subscribe Free Documentary - History Channel for free: https://bit.ly/2FjRPgV Facebook: https://bit.ly/2QfRxbG Twitter: https://bit.ly/2QlwRiI ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ #FreeDocumentary #Documentary #EmpireBuilders ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Free Documentary - History is dedicated to bringing high-class documentaries to you on YouTube for free. You will see fascinating animations showing the past from a new perspective and explanations by renowned historians that make history come alive. Enjoy stories about people and events that formed the world we live in.