an empire is a group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by another person or group of people

something relating to empire is known as imperial

historiography is the study of the writing of history and of written history

postcolonialism is a theoretical approach that is concerned with the impact of colonisation in colonies and former colonies

Commemoration and contestation of the British Empire

History

The Great Exhibition and the British Empire

Imperial anxiety and celebration of Empire

Imperial decline

Decolonisation and contesting empire

New imperial history

In this unit, pupils analyse how the British Empire has been commemorated and challenged over time. This leads into the next unit, ‘Decolonisation: how similar was decolonisation throughout the British Empire?’, where pupils will study the varied processes of decolonisation and their impact on former colonies.

In ‘The British Empire: how far was it transformed in the mid-nineteenth century?’, pupils studied the changes within the British Empire during its height. This unit shifts focus to how the Empire is interpreted today, looking at different perspectives on how it has been commemorated and contested.

In this unit, pupils learn about how the British Empire was viewed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They analyse how imperial anxiety, decline, and decolonisation have all led to changes in its historiography.

Interpreting the British Empire: how has it been commemorated and contested?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

ideas focused on the impact of colonisation in colonies 

the study of the writing of history and of written history

Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box


Perspectives of the British Empire have changed over time

Perspectives of the British Empire have remained constant over time

There has been little change in perspectives of the British Empire over time

Which of the following statements about perspectives of the British Empire is correct?

It attempted to bring justice and democracy to common people

It carried out projects for the public good

It was designed to support British economic interests

Which of the following statements provide evidence to support traditional historiography of the British Empire?

 Historians no longer support the traditional view of the British Empire

We have access to more information following decolonisation

WWII sharpened the focus on human rights, justice and equality

Which of the following statements helps to explain why perspectives have changed?

Partition of India into India and Pakistan

Put the following events into the order in which they happened.

Which of the following is an international organisation consisting of states which once belonged to the British Empire?

writing to historians to express your ideas

Which of the following is the correct definition of historiography?

This keyword is the parent state of a colony.


Which of the following events can be used to support the traditional view of the British Empire?

the traditional view of the British Empire

Edward Said is best known for which of the following viewpoints?

Homi Bhabha is best known for which of the following viewpoints?

Historians have debated the legacy of the British Empire

Historians have finished debating the legacy of the British Empire

Historians continue to debate the legacy of the British Empire

Which of the following statements about the contested legacy of the British Empire is correct?

Starter Quiz