New
New
Year 9

Comparing decolonisation across the former British Empire

I can compare and contrast different British colonies to explain how experiences of decolonisation varied considerably.

New
New
Year 9

Comparing decolonisation across the former British Empire

I can compare and contrast different British colonies to explain how experiences of decolonisation varied considerably.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The British Empire experienced significant decolonisation after the Second World War.
  2. Although decolonisation was complex and experiences varied considerably, it was a peaceful process in many places.
  3. Decolonisation was more likely to involve violence in the colonies that were the most valuable to Britain.
  4. Decolonisation in Ireland, India and Palestine was a violent process involving controversial partition processes.
  5. British actions were directly or indirectly responsible for much of the violence that took place during decolonisation.

Common misconception

The British Empire was different from other European empires because Britain willingly relinquished control of its colonies and decolonisation was mostly a peaceful process.

While it was a peaceful process in some British colonies, decolonisation involved significant violence in other colonies. Even in colonies where decolonisation was relatively peaceful there was some violence (e.g., Accra Riots in the Gold Coast).

Keywords

  • Decolonisation - the process by which colonies ruled by an empire achieve independence

  • Nationalist - someone who strongly believes in and supports their own country, placing its interests above those of other nations

  • Partition - to divide into parts

  • Constitution - the basic principles or laws which govern a nation state

  • Reform - a change introduced to improve something, often a system or law

Extend pupils' thinking by getting them to create Venn diagrams to compare and contrast the experiences of decolonisation in different colonies.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
was the main crop grown on plantations in Britain's Caribbean colonies during the 17th century.
Correct Answer: Sugar, sugar
Q2.
The caused widespread unemployment and poverty in Britain's Caribbean colonies.
Correct Answer: Great Depression, great depression
Q3.
In 1938, the British government sent a team led by Lord Moyne to the Caribbean to...
investigate routes forward for Caribbean independence
suppress independence movements in the Caribbean
Correct answer: investigate the social and economic challenges in the Caribbean colonies
encourage workers from the Caribbean to migrate to Britain
Q4.
Universal was introduced in Jamaica in 1944.
Correct Answer: suffrage, Suffrage
Q5.
After Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago decided to leave, the West Indian Federation was dissolved in...
1960
1961
Correct answer: 1962
1963
Q6.
Alexander became the first Prime Minister of independent Jamaica in 1962.
Correct Answer: Bustamante, bustamante

6 Questions

Q1.
Starting with the earliest, place these events in chronological order.
1 - India and Pakistan became independent
2 - Israel declared independence
3 - The Republic of Ireland became independent
4 - Ghana became independent
5 - Jamaica became independent
6 - Kenya became independent
Q2.
Which statement best describes decolonisation in the British Empire?
It was always peaceful
It was always violent
Correct answer: It was sometimes peaceful and sometimes violent
Q3.
In which British colonies was decolonisation a peaceful process?
Correct answer: Jamaica
Correct answer: The Gold Coast
India
Ireland
Kenya
Q4.
In which British colonies was decolonisation a violent process?
Jamaica
The Gold Coast
Correct answer: India
Correct answer: Ireland
Correct answer: Kenya
Q5.
Which statement best describes Britain's responsibility for violence during decolonisation?
Britain bears no responsibility for violence during decolonisation.
Britain bears total responsibility for violence during decolonisation.
Correct answer: Britain bears a great deal responsibility for violence during decolonisation.
Q6.
Which of these factors often led to peaceful decolonisation?
Correct answer: Gradual reform
Correct answer: International pressure
British resistance
Violent suppression of independence movements
A lack of thorough planning

Additional material

Download additional material
We're sorry, but preview is not currently available. Download to see additional material.