Kingdom of Great Britain

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Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800)

Great Britain, officially the Kingdom of Great Britain, was a country in Western Europe from 1707 to 1800. It was created when England (which included Wales) and Scotland joined together in 1707. Ireland stayed separate for now and joined Britain later in 1801 to form the United Kingdom.

How it was run
- The united kingdom had one Parliament at Westminster to govern the whole country.
- England and Scotland kept their own laws and churches at first, and Ireland had its own parliament for a time.
- The first monarch of the new kingdom was Queen Anne (she ruled 1707–1714). After her came the Hanoverian kings: George I (1714–1727), George II (1727–1760), and George III (1760–1800).
- The government also saw the rise of a prime minister, with Robert Walpole becoming the first in the early 1700s. He helped create a modern system where the Parliament and the king shared power.

War, empire, and money
- The period saw lots of war and the growth of a global empire. The Seven Years’ War (1756–1763) helped Britain become the world’s leading colonial power.
- Britain expanded in Canada and gained strong control in India through the East India Company. The Royal Navy protected trade and colonies, helping Britain grow wealthy.
- In 1720, Britain’s finances faced a crisis with the South Sea Bubble, a stock speculation disaster. The government acted to restore trust and kept the country from a complete financial collapse.

America and beyond
- From 1775 to 1783, Britain fought the American Revolution. The United States won independence in 1783, and Britain lost its Thirteen Colonies in North America.
- After America’s loss, Britain shifted its attention to other parts of the world, including Australia. In 1787–1788 the first fleet established a penal colony in New South Wales (Australia).

What happened to Ireland
- Ireland remained legally separate and had its own parliament for a time. In 1800, the Acts of Union united Great Britain and Ireland, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, which began in 1801.

Key ideas of the era
- Mercantilism: Britain tried to run trade to benefit the home country, using its navy to protect ships and colonies.
- The era is known as the Georgian period because of the kings named George. It saw growth in cities, science, and literature.
- Religion and society also changed, with evangelical movements growing inside and outside the Church of England.

Capitals and people
- The capital was London. English was the main language, and Anglicanism was the established church.

In short, Great Britain united England and Scotland in 1707, built a powerful empire through trade and war, faced major challenges like the American Revolution, and eventually joined with Ireland in 1801 to become the United Kingdom.