It was the 17th century which was to witness the beginning of rapid European colonisation. In addition to the Portuguese and the Spanish, the Dutch, the French and the English entered into the ring.

By 1700, it was evident that two countries were in competition for the mastership of Europe: France and England. This rivalry in Europe led to rivalry in the colonies.

The 18th Century

The 18th century was one of wars. France lost most of its colonial empire to the British: The War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713), The War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) and, above all, the "Seven Years' War" (1756-1763) gave to Britain the greatest empire the world had ever seen, after taking much of France's colonies, especially Canada and India.