In addition to the previous answer, Britain is also one of the first country to consolidate power and create a strong monarchy. They defeated the Spanish Armada and became the best Navy of the time. During the age of exploration, they took colonies all over the world. Thus the statement "the sun never set on the British empire". The American colonies help them become a global power by trading raw materials. Britain were the first to go through industrialization and urbanization. Not much religious conflict.