400 Years of British Territories in the Americas
During Elizabeth II's reign, 12 American territories gained independence, reshaping the UK's colonial legacy.
The world mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II last week. In addition to being the UK's longest-serving monarch, she had the second longest reign of all nations in history. And she wasn't just the Queen of the UK; as the 'head of state' of dozens of countries during her rule, 179 prime ministers technically served under her. In the Americas, the UK has a long and complicated history with 21 different former and current territories.
The British Empire started its conquest of the western world in the early 1600s by establishing settlements in modern-day USA, Canada, and many Caribbean islands. This empire expanded into all corners of the world and went on to become the largest we have seen in history, ruling over 458M people at its peak in 1922.
Fast-forward 100 years, the UK is a much different country. It has relinquished control of the countries it once ruled, leading now instead a 'Commonwealth of Nations' where many of the UK's former 'dependencies' choose to maintain ties of friendship and acknowledge the British monarch as the symbolic head of their association. Since Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne in 1952, 48 former territories (12 in the Americas) have become sovereign states and joined the Commonwealth.
This Commonwealth of Nations was one of the Queen's top priorities. She dedicated her life to diplomacy and maintaining an amicable relationship with Britain's former colonies, embracing their independence. Although much resentment towards the UK's colonialism, you're seldom to find anyone who didn't respect Queen Elizabeth's grace and fulfillment of duty.