Commemoration and contestation of the British Empire
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how and why perspectives regarding the British Empire have changed over time and that historians still debate the impacts of the Empire today.
Key learning points
- Perspectives on British Empire have changed over time.
- In the 19th century, the Empire was celebrated in Britain and seen as a source of pride.
- Many contemporary historians view the impact of the British Empire negatively.
- Many historians have revised interpretations of Empire to include the perspectives of the colonised.
- The theory of postcolonialism argues that the impacts of colonialism are still felt today.
Keywords
Empire - an empire is a group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by another person or group of people
Imperial - something relating to empire is known as imperial
Historiography - historiography is the study of the writing of history and of written history
Postcolonialism - postcolonialism is a theoretical approach that is concerned with the impact of colonisation in colonies and former colonies
Common misconception
Historians have finished debating the legacy of the British Empire.
Historians continue to debate the legacy of the British Empire as new information emerges.
Teacher tip
In the first learning cycle, show students competing historiographical viewpoints and ask them to work out which of the different schools of thought they sit with.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
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.Which of the following is the correct definition of historiography?
Q2.This keyword is the parent state of a colony.
Q3.Which of the following events can be used to support the traditional view of the British Empire?
Q4.Edward Said is best known for which of the following viewpoints?
Q5.Homi Bhabha is best known for which of the following viewpoints?
Q6.Which of the following statements about the contested legacy of the British Empire is correct?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box
ideas focused on the impact of colonisation in colonies
Relating to empire
the study of the writing of history and of written history
Q2.Which of the following statements about perspectives of the British Empire is correct?
Q3.Which of the following statements provide evidence to support traditional historiography of the British Empire?
Q4.Which of the following statements helps to explain why perspectives have changed?
Q5.Put the following events into the order in which they happened.
Q6.Which of the following is an international organisation consisting of states which once belonged to the British Empire?
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: Commemoration and contestation of the British Empire, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: Commemoration and contestation of the British Empire, 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 Interpreting the British Empire: how has it been commemorated and contested? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.