Political and Social Transformations Between 1650 and 1800 Across the British Empire

Social Changes

Between 1650 and 1800, the social class structure saw substantial changes due to multiple innovations and advancements. During this time, wealthy merchants who dominated the slave market began to emerge. In addition, it led to social stratification, with some people considered wealthy and others as poor. In Lancashire and Yorkshire, for instance, enormous agricultural areas were owned by merchants, while others managed the cotton gins. Only in the agricultural industry was the importance of the slaves recognized; they were seen as peasant farmers.

The exploitation of millions of black people over a long period of time had a tremendous impact on the history of the New World. It often resulted in enormous social divisions between the wealthy white and poor black communities, whose repercussions are still felt in modern Britain. This distance was deepened by the goal to keep the black and white populations separate and discourage interracial marriages. Also, they opposed the emancipation of slaves, a view that endured from generation to generation. Racist prejudice against black folks is a significant element of this socioeconomic separation. Political structures have also undergone significant transformations, resulting in England’s dominance over other European states (Williams, 2010).

Political Transformations

By the seventeenth century, England had formed a parliamentary monarchy type of government. The United Kingdom developed new political theories and internal institutions. Some of them were embarking on domestic journeys, while others were embarking on brand-new international journeys. By the end of the eighteenth century, England had established colonies in numerous parts of the world. Under the Queen, England’s government system became more ordered, providing them an advantage over other European countries. For example, the British could use the labor and raw materials that were accessible in many African and, to a lesser extent, Asian countries due to the military expertise they had gained from various battles (Caferro, 2010). Before profiting economically from its initiatives abroad, England required technological and institutional advancements at home…