New
New
Year 9

Transformation in the British Empire

I can evaluate the extent to which the British Empire was transformed during the mid-19th century.

New
New
Year 9

Transformation in the British Empire

I can evaluate the extent to which the British Empire was transformed during the mid-19th century.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Historians can study the British Empire by focusing on its extent, governance, quality of life and justifications.
  2. The British Empire grew significantly during the 19th century.
  3. Ideas such as Christianity and Social Darwinism were used to justify British imperialism.
  4. Rebellions in India and Jamaica triggered changes in how those colonies were governed.

Keywords

  • Transformed - something may be described as transformed if it changes significantly

Common misconception

The Indian and Jamaican rebellions triggered complete change in those colonies.

Major changes were introduced after these rebellions although little was changed to address the problem of poverty in either Jamaica or India.

For Task B, after pupils have identified where the statements provided should be placed in the Venn diagram, ask them to come up with three new ones including one which can be placed in each section of the Venn diagram.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What were the people who travelled to other countries to spread Christianity called?
Correct Answer: missionaries, missionary
Q2.
Which colonies became part of the British Empire during the Scramble for Africa?
Cape Colony
Correct answer: Egypt
India
Jamaica
Correct answer: Uganda
Q3.
Where were most of Britain's African colonies located in the early 19th century?
Correct answer: coastal regions
mountainous regions
the African interior
it did not have any African colonies at this time
Q4.
What type of items from West Africa was Britain interested in trading for?
guns
opium
Correct answer: palm oil
tea
Q5.
During the Scramble for Africa, who did Britain compete with to colonise Africa?
other Asian empires
other African empires
Correct answer: ther European empires
Q6.
Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
1 - British merchants travel to Africa to participate in the slave trade
2 - Britain abolishes the slave trade in its empire
3 - Britain establishes a colony for former enslaved people at Sierra Leone
4 - British army massacred by the Assante Empire
5 - New weapons like the maxim machine gun developed
6 - Britain colonises large areas of the African interior in West Africa

6 Questions

Q1.
Write the missing word. Something may be described as if it has changed significantly.
Correct Answer: transformed
Q2.
Write the missing word. Britain had a empire, with colonies on every inhabited continent.
Correct Answer: global, worldwide
Q3.
How did government in Jamaica change duirng the 1860s?
Jamaica went from being a Crown Colony to being self-governing
Jamaica went from EIC rule to being self-governing
Correct answer: Jamaica went from being self-governing to being a Crown Colony
Q4.
Where did the Opium Wars help extend Britain's informal empire to?
Africa
Correct answer: China
India
Jamaica
Q5.
Which statement is most accurate?
Correct answer: Social Darwinism was used to argue Britain was superior to others
Social Darwinism was used to argue Britain was inferior to others
Social Darwinism was used to argue Britain was equal to others
Q6.
Which statement is most accurate?
The British Empire always remained the same.
Correct answer: The British Empire was ruled differently in different colonies.
The British Empire grew smaller during the 19th century.