"First" British Empire (1707–1783) The 18th century saw the newly united Great Britain rise to be the world's dominant colonial power, with France becoming its main rival on the imperial stage. ... Gibraltar became a critical naval base and allowed Britain to control the Atlantic entry and exit point to the Mediterranean.
First" British Empire (1707–1783) The 18th century saw the newly united Great Britain rise to be the world's dominant colonial power, with France becoming its main rival on the imperial stage. ... Gibraltar became a critical naval base and allowed Britain to control the Atlantic entry and exit point to the Mediterranean.
