Dan Snow examines the growth of Britain's empire in the late 18th century, when the Navy's relationship with the pre-eminent scientific institution, the Royal Society, led to the exploration of the Pacific and the discovery of Australia. But with the threat of an attack by a resurgent France imminent, Whitehall was forced to introduce income tax to improve the ships, and in a conflict that resulted in the death of Admiral Nelson, the country's fleet defeated the French and Spanish at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805
By browsing this website, you accept our cookies policy.
