The British Empire: why did it grow in the 17th and 18th centuries?

The British Empire: why did it grow in the 17th and 18th centuries?

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Why this why now

This unit uses and builds on previous key stage 3 units that introduced Britain's relationship to the Americas, its involvement in slavery and the political changes that had taken place in Britain by 1688. This unit prepares pupils for future in-depth key stage 3 units that focus on the growth, transformation and eventual decline of Britain's empire.

Prior knowledge requirements

  • Pupils know that by 1688 England was largely still an agricultural nation.
  • Pupils will have a conceptual understanding of various empires throughout history, such as the Roman Empire.
  • Pupils know about the growth of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Threads

Why this why now

This unit uses and builds on previous key stage 3 units that introduced Britain's relationship to the Americas, its involvement in slavery and the political changes that had taken place in Britain by 1688. This unit prepares pupils for future in-depth key stage 3 units that focus on the growth, transformation and eventual decline of Britain's empire.

Prior knowledge requirements

  • Pupils know that by 1688 England was largely still an agricultural nation.
  • Pupils will have a conceptual understanding of various empires throughout history, such as the Roman Empire.
  • Pupils know about the growth of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The British Empire: why did it grow in the 17th and 18th centuries?

In this unit pupils develop overview knowledge of why the British Empire grew in the 17th and 18th centuries. They learn about the state of Britain's empire at the beginning and end of the 'long eighteenth century' before analysing differing historians' arguments about why it grew.