English colonization

English colonization refers to the historical process by which England (later Britain) established settlements and political control over territories abroad, particularly from the 16th through 20th centuries.

This includes colonies in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

The term encompasses both settler colonies where English populations displaced indigenous peoples and exploitation colonies focused on extracting resources.

English colonization of the Americas began with Jamestown in 1607.

The legacy shapes modern geopolitics, language distribution, and ongoing debates about reparations and decolonization.