New imperial history
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how historians' interpretations of empire differ and how this has evolved over the course of the 20th century.
Key learning points
- New historical perspectives on the British Empire have emerged in recent decades.
- 'New imperial history' emphasises the relationship between the metropole (Britain) and the colonies.
- 'New imperial history' explores how the colonies have shaped the metropole (Britain).
- The end of the 20th century saw a trend of scholarship from non-British perspectives such as Said and Bhabha.
- The significance of the impact of Britain on the colonies has also been debated by historians.
Keywords
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
Metropole - a metropole is the parent state of a colony
Common misconception
It is possible to view the British Empire as either a force for good or bad.
The enormity of the British Empire and number of individuals involved means that to attach a simple label to the British Empire is an impossible task.
Teacher tip
When explaining Said's ideas in the first learning cycle, you can ask students to describe different colonies within the British Empire. You can then address the misconceptions that may arise and explain that these have contributed to the development of postcolonial thinking.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.This keyword is an international organisation consisting of states which once belonged to the British Empire.
Q2.In which year was the Atlantic Charter signed?
Q3.In which year was the Indian Independence Act signed?
Q4.Which of the following countries were partitioned after independence?
Q5.In which year did the British government create the 'two-power standard'?
Q6.Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrated how many years of her reign?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Traditional historiography of the British Empire is from the perspective of the __________.
Q2.The study of the writing of history and of written history is .
Q3. is the parent state of a colony
Q4.New imperial history explores __________.
Q5.Which of the following is an example of how the colonies shaped the metropole?
Q6.Which of the following is an example of a question that a postcolonial historian might ask?
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: New imperial history, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: New imperial history, 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.