England's Empire at the beginning of the 'long eighteenth century'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the relationship between England and her overseas trade and colonies in 1688.
Key learning points
- At the beginning of the 18th century England was an emerging empire-builder.
- England was agricultural with a large middling sort who provided a base to trade with and settle in distant places.
- England had established colonies in North America and the Caribbean, with which English merchants traded.
- 350 000 had emigrated to colonies in the Americas; trade with them, bolstered by enslavement, was worth a great deal.
- The Navigation Act created a mercantilist framework for English trade with its colonies.
Keywords
Privateer - a person allowed by a government to attack and steal from ships at sea
Customs duties - a tax paid on goods that are imported
Indentured servant - a person who is made to work without pay for a set period of time
Mercantilist - an economic practice of a country protecting their own trade and discouraging trade with rival nations
Common misconception
Only Britain and Europe engaged in empire building.
In fact, empires have existed across the world since at least the ancient period: several dynasties ruled across China, the Ottoman Empire spanned across Asia, Africa and Europe, and the Mali Empire controlled extensive territories in West Africa.
Teacher tip
Privateer case study: use Henry Morgan's story to have students investigate the role of privateers and slaveowners in empire-building. Students can present on Morgan's transition from privateer to Governor of Jamaica.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Mughal rule in India was __________ in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Q2.Which Mughal emperor was given the name 'the Great'?
Q3.Akbar marrying the King of Amber's daughter is an example of...
Q4.Which religion did the Mughal rulers of India follow?
Q5.Mughal emperors repeatedly relied upon in their conquests.
Q6.Religious __________ and attempts to increase tax revenues were important aspects of Mughal governing policies.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What event marks the beginning of the "long 18th century" according to historians?
Q2.Which early English colony in America was established by the Virginia Company and became profitable through tobacco cultivation?
Q3.The East India Company was given permission by to trade with India, which was then part of the Mughal Empire.
Q4.Which privateer turned plantation owner played a key role in early English colonization in the Caribbean?
Q5.The Acts were a series of laws passed by the English government to promote English shipping and control colonial trade.
Q6.Which European country was a major rival to England in trade during the late 17th century, leading to three wars?
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: England's Empire at the beginning of the 'long eighteenth century', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: England's Empire at the beginning of the 'long eighteenth century', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The British Empire: why did it grow in the 17th and 18th centuries? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.