Imperial anxiety and celebration of Empire
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the causes of 'imperial anxiety' and how Britain responded to this through a celebration of empire.
Key learning points
- British dominance was challenged towards the end of the 19th century by the rise of Germany and the USA.
- 'Imperial anxiety' was caused by international competition and nationalist movements in the colonies.
- Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1897 was designed to celebrate the British Empire.
Keywords
Empire - a group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by another person or group of people is called an empire
Imperial - something relating to empire is known as imperial
Imperial anxiety - imperial anxiety is the sense of unease within an empire due to potential threats to its power
Nationalism - in this lesson, nationalism is support for the political independence of a country
Common misconception
The rise of Germany and the USA and the growth of nationalist movements in the late 19th century contributed to imperial decline.
The British Empire responded to this rise in anxiety by showcasing their supremacy at Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
Teacher tip
In the third learning cycle, you can explain the enormity of the jubilee by explaining the role played by children in the occasion. On 23 June 10,000 school children gathered outside Buckingham Palace to greet the queen.
Content guidance
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.A group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by another person or group of people is known as an...
Q2.Which of the following statements is a correct definition of gunboat diplomacy?
Q3.What was showcased at the Great Exhibition? Select the statement that best answers the question.
Q4.How did visitors respond to the exhibits at the Great Exhibition? Select the most accurate statement.
Q5.Which of the following statements is not correct?
Q6.Which of the following statements most accurately describes the high Victorian view towards the British Empire?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The keyword that describes the sense of unease of an empire due to potential threats to its power is...
Q2.Support for the political independence of a country is known as...
Q3.Which of the following statements best describes how Britain responded to the growing sense of imperial anxiety?
Q4.Why did the British government not meet the demands of the Indian National Congress when it was first established?
Q5.In which year was Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee?
Q6.Which of the following two organisations were Irish nationalist movements in the late 19th century?
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: Imperial anxiety and celebration of Empire, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: Imperial anxiety and celebration of 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.