Oliver Cromwell’s policy became more and more commercial and territorial expansion was the goal ever in view. In fact, while fundamental motives for his policies were economic, his overall policy was one of Protestant domination over all other religions.

He drew back when consequences of his Protestant policy brought him into conflict with England’s material wealth. His ideal was anachronism —a heritage of the Elizabethan era— but in actual policy he was ahead of his times, the legitimate predecessor of Clive, Chatham and Rhodes.

Cromwell’s influence on the East India Company was of great importance. Under Cromwell, the corporation passed, without little recognition of change at the time, from medieval to modern. Yet the decisive influence of Cromwell on the Company has been largely ignored by historians.

Cromwell made England the most powerful state of his time, but also the most disliked. A fundamental characteristic of this English colonization is that it was due mainly to private initiatives. Each acquisition forced through imposed economic conditions, adding to its colonies.

Oliver Cromwell’s plans were in advance of his time and were prophetic of future developments. His policy is a first sketch of the British Empire. The roots of British imperialism. And I have not even mentioned the Jews in this thread.