Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 9

The impact of WWI across the Empire

I can explain the impact that World War One had on life both in Britain and in the colonies of the British Empire.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 9

The impact of WWI across the Empire

I can explain the impact that World War One had on life both in Britain and in the colonies of the British Empire.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The estimated four million British men who fought in for Britain fought mostly in trenches, with huge losses of life.
  2. The war revolutionised life in Britain, particularly with women entering the workforce.
  3. The war slowed Ireland's journey towards independence from Britain, which would result in partition.
  4. The British army were supported by around three million soldiers from the British empire and former colonies.

Common misconception

The impact of WWI was limited to Europe, and those directly affected by the deaths of troops.

The impact of WWI can be seen in Britain across different groups in society, but also within British colonies across the world.

Keywords

  • Total war - a conflict in which the countries involved are willing to make any sacrifices to achieve victory

  • Empire - an empire is a group of countries or provinces ruled from the country by one person or a group of people

  • Colonial - relating to a country or area under the control of another country and occupied by settlers from that country

  • Home Rule - Home Rule is when a country is given some independence, usually in the form of their own government

In delivering the explanation on the impact of the war at home, you can emphasise that different groups were impacted in very different ways! There were even differences within some groups, for example wealthy women saw immediate change after the war
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Contains conflict or violence.

Supervision

Adult supervision suggested.

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).

Video

Skip video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
When did all women get the right to vote, on an equal basis to men?
1914
1918
1921
Correct answer: 1928
Q2.
Match each key word to the correct definition
Correct Answer:empire,a group of countries ruled by one person or group of people

a group of countries ruled by one person or group of people

Correct Answer:colony,a country or area under the control of another country

a country or area under the control of another country

Correct Answer:Home Rule,when a country is given some independence

when a country is given some independence

Q3.
Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into the order in which they happened.
1 - Ireland becomes part of the United Kingdom
2 - the British government agree to grant Ireland Home Rule
3 - the First World War breaks out
4 - millions of women join the workforce to support the war effort
5 - the First World War ends
6 - women over 30, with a certain amount of property, are given the right to vote
7 - Ireland is partitioned in to Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State
Q4.
Which British colony provided 1.5 million troops to support Britain in the First World War?
Correct Answer: British India, India, india, british india
Q5.
Which European country was the first to have their colonies attacked when war broke out?
Britain
France
Correct answer: Germany
Russia
Q6.
Which two of the following statements best explains why the First World War impacted civilians?
All civilians were called to fight in the First World War
Correct answer: Some battles took place in towns and villages where people lived
Correct answer: Many people were expected to support the war effort from home, or through work
All battles took place in towns and villages where people lived
Civilians were not impacted by the First World War

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
When did the First World War begin?
Correct Answer: 1914
Q2.
How many British men fought for Britain in the First World War?
Correct answer: 4 million
10 million
3 million
1.5 million
700 000
Q3.
How many East African civilians were killed as a result of the First World War?
3 million
Correct answer: 300 000
700 000
None
5 000
Q4.
What term best describes a war in which countries devote all their power and resources to winning the war, with consequences that impact a large number of people in a variety of ways
Correct Answer: A total war, total war, a total war, Total War, A Total War
Q5.
Match the correct date to each event
Correct Answer:1914,1.5 million Indian troops are called to support Britain

1.5 million Indian troops are called to support Britain

Correct Answer:1912,the British government agree to grant Irish Home Rule

the British government agree to grant Irish Home Rule

Correct Answer:1918,women over 30 with a certain amount of property get the vote

women over 30 with a certain amount of property get the vote

Correct Answer:1918,105 000 colonial troops have lost their lives in East Africa

105 000 colonial troops have lost their lives in East Africa

Correct Answer:1921,Ireland is partitioned, Northern Ireland gains Home Rule

Ireland is partitioned, Northern Ireland gains Home Rule

Correct Answer:1928,all women over 21 gain the right to vote

all women over 21 gain the right to vote

Q6.
Which one of the follow phrases suggests that the First World War had a destructive/damaging impact?
The First World War had a permanent impact
The First World War had a significant impact
The First World War had a revolutionary impact
Correct answer: The First World War had a devastating impact
The First World War had a permanent impact

Additional material

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