The impact of WWI across the Empire
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the impact that World War One had on life both in Britain and in the colonies of the British Empire.
Key learning points
- The estimated four million British men who fought in for Britain fought mostly in trenches, with huge losses of life.
- The war revolutionised life in Britain, particularly with women entering the workforce.
- The war slowed Ireland's journey towards independence from Britain, which would result in partition.
- The British army were supported by around three million soldiers from the British empire and former colonies.
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
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.
Teacher tip
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
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.When did all women get the right to vote, on an equal basis to men?
Q2.Match each key word to the correct definition
Q3.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into the order in which they happened.
Q4.Which British colony provided 1.5 million troops to support Britain in the First World War?
Q5.Which European country was the first to have their colonies attacked when war broke out?
Q6.Which two of the following statements best explains why the First World War impacted civilians?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When did the First World War begin?
Q2.How many British men fought for Britain in the First World War?
Q3.How many East African civilians were killed as a result of the First World War?
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
Q5.Match the correct date to each event
Q6.Which one of the follow phrases suggests that the First World War had a destructive/damaging impact?
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The impact of WWI across the Empire, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The impact of WWI across the 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 World War One: how 'total' was it for people in the British Empire? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.