an empire is a collection of territories or countries ruled by a single person or government

colonies are countries and territories ruled over by another country

evolution is the process of gradual change which occurs over long periods of time

Social Darwinism was the false claim that Charles Darwin's ideas apply to human societies, making some groups of people superior to others

imperialism refers to the control of one country over another and the expansion of a country's empire by gaining new colonies

Social Darwinism and race in the British Empire

History

This will help to contexualise responses to the Empire that they will go on to study, as well as aid their appreciation of the era of decolonisation (Y9).

Pupils have already considered the emergence of the British Empire through their study of the Atlantic World and Britain's interactions with India (Y8). Pupils will have also gained a strong understanding of the importance of trade across the period of history.

The British Empire: how far was it transformed in the mid-nineteenth century?

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

territories ruled over by another country

collection of territories ruled by a single person or government

refers to a country's expansion of the territory under its control 

Match each of the key words to its correct defintion.

Write the missing word. People often claimed that 'the {{}} never sets on the British Empire.'

Which type of British colony offered more political power to the people who lived in it?

Africans were superior to other racial groups

Asians were superior to other racial groups

Europeans were superior to other racial groups

What did Social Darwinists falsely argue skull measurements could show?

Which religion did many people in Britain claim made their country superior to others?

Social Darwinism increased Britain's belief that its imperialism was justified.

Social Darwinism decreased Britain's belief that its imperialism was justified.

Social Darwinism was not relevant to Britain's ideas about imperialism.

a country or territory ruled by another country

a collection of territories or countries ruled by a single person or government

a group of countries who make agreements to work together

Write the missing word. Charles {{}} developed the theory of evolution.

Write the missing word. A {{}}} is a country or territory ruled by another country.

Who gained control over Bengal, in India, between 1757 and 1764?

Only European countries developed empires.

Only African countries developed empires.

Empires have been developed by a wide range of countries.

The East India Company gains control over Bengal

Egypt, Kenya and Sudan all become part of the British Empire

Soldiers from across the empire help Britain to fight in the World Wars

Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Social Darwinism and race in the British Empire

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.