During the 17th century The British Empire started shaping out as they took settlement in the 13 colonies in North America and many islands in the Caribbean. The British Empire is known as being an imperialistic nation as they extended their empire into many different territories from all over the world. The Atlantic slave trade was slave trading across the Atlantic Ocean that took place in the 16th century and lasted throughout the 19th century. The British Empire saw the world as being uncivilized and filled with many resources. As The British empire expanded they not only gained resources but also influenced its religion and culture in hopes to civilize the world.