I want to know the answer to the following question:
What period ended towards the end of the 18th century?
All the background I'm provided with is that "The British Empire began to take shape during the early 17th century, with the English settlement of North America and the smaller islands of the Caribbean, and the establishment of private companies, most notably the English East India Company, to administer colonies and overseas trade.". Is that enough to answer the question?
Answer: no