The British Empire and migration to Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the reasons for increasing migration from across the British Empire, and describe the experiences and the impact of these migrants on Britain.
Key learning points
- From the 1700s the British Empire began to expand, leading to increasing numbers of migrants from both Asia and Africa.
- The 1800s saw the rapid growth of the British Empire in Africa, leading to greater numbers of African migrants.
- Despite most migrants having negative experiences, there were a number of exceptions who lived successful lives.
- Migrants from across the empire had the greatest impact on politics and the economy.
Keywords
Colony - somewhere under the full control of another country, usually occupied by settlers from that country
Transatlantic Slave Trade - the trade between Europe, West Africa and the Americas, where goods were exchanged for enslaved people who were sold onto plantations in European colonies
Civil liberties - a person’s right to be subject to laws that are only for the good of the community
Lascar - a sailor, usually from Britain’s colonies across Africa and Asia
Ayah - a nurse, maid or nanny who is usually of Indian descent
Common misconception
Migrants from the Empire only includes those who travelled from as far as Asia and Africa.
As Ireland did not become part of Britain in 1801, many people considered Ireland a colony and therefore Irish migrants are often treated as migrants from within Britain's empire.
Teacher tip
When looking at the experience of each migrant group make sure to emphasize that experiences often varied within each group and even where generalisations can be made, there are almost always exceptions.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the sentence: The led to increasing migration from France to Britain in the 18th century.
Q2.Which occupations did many German migrants have when they came to Britain post 1714?
Q3.Complete the sentence: For some French migrants, life in Britain was very different to life in France; for example, de Montazet became a window cleaner.
Q4.How did German migrants impact Britain culturally?
Q5.How many Italians migrated to Britain between 1871 and 1881?
Q6.Were did many Italian migrants settle?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes a person’s right to be subject to laws that are only for the good of the community?
Q2.Which word describes a nurse, maid or nanny who is usually of Indian descent?
Q3.In what year did the Act of Union make Ireland a formal part of the United Kingdom?
Q4.Who was the first black Briton to vote?
Q5.Who is an example of an African migrant who had a significant impact on the British economy?
Q6.Which act gave Irish people in England the right to vote?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The British Empire and migration to Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The British Empire and migration to Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, 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 4 history lessons from the Migrants in Britain, c800–present unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.