How big … These cookies do not store any personal information. In fact, you can still see evidence of the profits of slavery in Britain today. This sometimes meant fighting with other European nations to take over their colonies. The included slides with this lesson challenge children to consider reasons why, as well as identify ways in which they could learn more about former Empire countries and the ways in which they influence life in Britain today. Your KS2 children will study the end of the British Empire in the final lesson of this History series. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England between the … Here, the climate was perfect for growing crops like sugar and tobacco, so they set up farms known as plantations. Those lands can be close by or even thousands of miles away. From early discoveries, through bitter wars with other powers, to popular uprisings, the British Empire went through many changes during the course of history. The company was dismantled in 1624 and Virginia subsequently became The British Empire 1. Over time, the English would claim more and more territories. In response to protests and violent riots, the British executed Kenyans and imprisoned many in camps, where they were forced to live in inhumane conditions – and even tortured. It began with the overseas colonies and trading posts set up by England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. Spanning over 400 years, historians continue to research and discover new things about the British Empire. Suggested Teacher Resources: The Young Oxford History of ritain & Ireland, pages 239-254. eat Tales from English History Gr … At its height, it was the largest empire in history, and the world's most powerful superpower for more than a century. It aims to help students understand what an Empire is and how Britain developed her Empire. Empire is a term used to describe a group of territories ruled by one single ruler or state. If you haven’t already used it, have a look at the National Archives Learning Curve material on the Empire It comprises three main sections and has been authored by Ben Walsh, so you know it will be trustworthy. But what the British Empire left behind is a complex topic that is questioned and discussed to this very day…. The British Empire is famous for spreading itself to almost every corner of the globe. As the British Empire began to fall, it was replaced by what is today called The Commonwealth (or The Commonwealth of Nations) – an organisation that countries can choose to join, or leave. Our tips from experts and exam survivors will help you through. Long time ago the British Empire didn't exist in middle ages because it was part of another empire called the Angevin Empire and the Norman Empire. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If you want to know more about the colonies, dominions, mandates or protectorates administered or ruled by UK, you have to look at Facts about British Empire.In the end of 16th and beginning of 18th centuries England established the trading post and overseas possessions which evolved into British Empire. So, why were these countries given independence first? Please let us know if the video is no longer working. * Although, even when ‘free’, former enslaved people continued to suffer in racist societies. By the time the British Empire came to an end, it had truly left its mark on the world. The questions will cover topics like the countries that were part of the British Empire in 1900 and the definition of 'dominion'. After the Second World War, Britain no longer had the wealth or strength to manage an empire overseas. The british empire in 1922 held sway of over about 458million of people, that is about one-fifth of the population of the world at that time the british empire … This marked the end of what is now called the ‘First British Empire’. The unjust treatment of indigenous peoples ran the course of the British Empire. Quiz & Worksheet Goals. This was no different with the British Empire…. It controlled over 450 million people or 1/5 of the world’s population. Governments and settlers drew up new borders and land boundaries that split the local people into new countries and categories that didn’t represent them or reflect their heritage, history and customs. It began in the 16th Century, with British forces establishing trading posts oversees and grew all the way through to the 20th Century. Many indigenous peoples, including Indigenous Australians, lost not just their land, food and possessions, but their traditions, too. At its height in 1922, it was the largest empire the world had ever seen, covering around a quarter of Earth’s land surface and ruling over 458 million people. Then, neatly label each country with date that the country first became a part of the ritish Empire, and when it finally left. Australia! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Slavery made Britain incredibly wealthy. For example, the Roman Empire (1st – 5th Centuries A.D.) stretched all the way from Britain to Egypt. The term "British subject" has several different meanings depending on the time period.Before 1949, it referred to almost all citizens of the British Empire (including the United Kingdom, Dominions, and colonies, but excluding protectorates and protected states).Between 1949 and 1983, the term was synonymous with Commonwealth citizen. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. docx, 13.49 KB. Many former slave owners went on to invest their compensation money in businesses – some of which still exist today – or in development projects like the British railways. They were therefore considered to be more experienced and ‘able’ to run their own country successfully, which would benefit the empire as a whole. The good news is that more and more people are speaking out against racism and their voices are being heard. In the past, the British largely looked proudly on its empire, as a period that brought power and wealth to Britain, funding exciting new inventions, technology, the trade of exotic goods and helping other countries to ‘modernise’. In the late 1700's they wanted to use one of their colonies for all the criminals. Colonialisation had a similar impact in Kenya in the 1950's. Much was the same in South Africa, too, where a racist system, called ‘apartheid’, was introduced to keep black and white people separate. Even though laws state everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, people continue to face hardships and disadvantages because of the colour of their skin. An empire is a group of countries ruled over by a single monarch or ruling power. During the Second World War, India suffered some of the worst famines (lack of food) in human history, partly caused by the British government taking vital supplies away from the Indian people to support the war effort elsewhere – causing the death of millions. The Seven Years War. No compensation was paid to the enslaved people themselves! By the early 1900s, huge parts of Africa – including Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria and large areas of southern Africa – all came under British rule. However, this is a dated view that has been widely challenged. With the help of Spain, France and the Netherlands, they won the war, and gained independence, becoming the United States of America. And thankfully today, more than ever, organisations, charities, governments and individuals around the world are working together to create a future where everyone is treated fairly and equally. Throughout history, empire builders have introduced new people, practices and rules to their ‘new’ lands and used its resources for their own gain, at the expense of the indigenous people – the people that inhabited the land first. The British Empire was made up of the colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories which were controlled by the United Kingdom.. These colonies would provide England with valuable materials, like metals, sugar and tobacco, which they could also sell to other countries. In 1919, for example, in an event known as the Amritsar Massacre, the British imprisoned and killed thousands of Indian people taking part in a peaceful independence protest. This company became so powerful, it allowed England to control of the trade of luxury goods like spices, cotton, silk and tea from India and China, and it even influenced politics. They originally wanted to use the Americas as the jail, but the Americas revolted in the 1770's so they turned to Australia. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. It was described as being the "Empire on which the sun never sets". Let’s find out more in our British Empire facts…. The first section looks at the Rise of the British Empire. Discover the fossil hunter whose discoveries changed the world…, Discover one of Britain’s most incredible pre-historic villages…, Head back in time to when Britain became the most powerful empire in world history…, A pioneering nurse and heroine of World War I…. Over the next 400 years, European traders bought and sold an estimated 12 million African people, who were forcibly taken from their homes and shipped across the ocean to the Americas and Europe, where their buyers forced them to work. Initially part of the enormous British Empire, the colonies eventually became a separate country that maintained close ties to Britain. It began with the overseas colonies and trading posts set up by England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. In terms of the early 19 th Century, Nelson was as closest thing that the British Empire had to a Hollywood celebrity. An empire doesn't need an 'emperor'. The compensation sum was vast, and in fact, the loan taken out to pay for it was still being paid off by British tax payers as recently as 2015! In fact, following European imperialism, people of colour have had to work incredibly hard for equal rights and opportunities. His legacy and popularity transcended continents. a pre-selected message and a cool badge. The British empire took that a step further. The empire began in the 17th century and lasted until the middle of the 20th century It was made of all kinds of places, from dominions, colonies, protectorates and mandates all ruled or governed by the United Kingdom. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Britain today is a nation of many cultures, and many of these connections have their roots in the British Empire. Recently Viewed and Downloaded › Recently Viewed › An empire doesn't need an 'emperor'. A famous saying was the ''sun never sets on the British empire,'' meaning there were so many places in the world ruled by Britain that a part of it was always sunny! The British Empire was larger and more powerful than ever…. Well, by this time these countries had large white populations of European descent, living under the rule of formal governments. The extension of settlement, including the effects of contact between European settlers in Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples. The Queen is the head of the Commonwealth. In the late 1400s, Europeans realized they could sai… Colonies were founded in parts of Australia, and later Trinidad and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Singapore and Hong Kong (China) as well as other parts of Asia. She was even Empress of India! Many enslaved people were only children, like you, and were separated from their parents and siblings. The truth about what happened in Kenya was hidden for many years, and only truly came to light in 2013, after a group of Kenyan victims won a court battle that forced the British government to apologise and pay them compensation for their sufferings. That means she’s not just the queen of the United Kingdom, but also queen of over 50 countries around the world! British Empire Gallery 1 Worksheet; this case study considers why the British became empire builders in North America, Africa, India and Australia, and uses documents from the … Interpretations of the British Empire have changed and developed over time. The British Empire was made up of the colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories which were controlled by the United Kingdom. When the empire was being built, British people largely believed they were doing the right thing. The empire developed over the 17th and 18th centuries, sadly being built on the slavery of many African slaves. Empires are built by countries that wish to control lands outside of their borders. Britain was heavily involved with the Transatlantic slave trade in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. About one-quarter of all the people and land in the world were part of the British Empire in 1900. British Empire synonyms, British Empire pronunciation, British Empire translation, English dictionary definition of British Empire. The British Empire, at its largest, covered 13 million miles or 22% of the world! The British were also heavily involved in the Transatlantic Slave Trade in West Africa – more on that, in the next section. The Imperial Conference of 1926 defined Britain and the dominions as “autonomous communities  within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by a common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations.” People considered them less important than white people, and used these beliefs to help them justify the former trading of enslaved people. Life as a ritish Seaman. The origins of the British empire began as early as the 16th century. In their eyes, they were improving and developing lands and bringing order to non-white countries which – due to racist attitudes – they thought were ‘uncivilised’ and ‘backward’. This brought huge changes to societies, industries, cultures and the lives of people all around the world. After the First World War (1914-1918) there was a feeling of ‘nationalism’ sweeping the globe, whereby countries should have the right to be independent and rule themselves. An introductory lesson to the 'Empire and Slavery&' topic. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Resources. After defining the term ‘empire’, the video outlines the growth and decline of the Roman Empire. Throughout history, slavery has existed on all continents and in many societies, but when the European imperialists arrived in Africa in the 15th Century, they began the most organised slave operation the world had ever seen – the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Get messy, explore and appreciate nature, all from the safety of home! This lesson was initially prepared for a class of SEN pupils. An empire is a group of countries ruled over by a single monarch or ruling power. This process is called ‘colonialism‘. The extent of the British Empire Any country that was once a part of the ritish Empire, shade red or. The power and wealth that Britain gained as it built its empire came at a price, and tragically, the price was paid largely by the indigenous peoples – tribes and communities who had lived in Britain’s so-called ‘new’ lands for centuries. What had taken hundreds of years to build, was broken down far quicker! After his death, he was regarded as a hero and his stature was only enhanced by tales of his victories. BRITISH EMPIRE (5 lessons) Contents Include: Global Trade. In 1926, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa became independent, meaning they were no longer under British control. In the USA, even after the abolition of slavery in 1865, African Americans faced huge prejudice and discrimination, being treated as ‘inferior’ to white citizens. ). An empire doesn't need an 'emperor'. And today more than ever, people are recognising, questioning and understanding the full story behind this important part of world history. Other European countries were also exploring the world, discovering new lands and building empires, too – the race was on, and England did not want to be left behind…. The colonies also offered money-making opportunities for wealthy Englishmen and provided England’s poor and unemployed with new places to live and new jobs. Where is the source of the news report for answering the questions? The British Empire comprised of Britain, the 'mother country', and the colonies, countries ruled to some degree by and from Britain. The size of the British Empire – the amount of land and number of people under British rule – changed in size over the years. The onquest of anada. It began in 1931, when the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa formed the British Commonwealth of Nations. Tes classic free licence. The foundation and establishment of the british empire were laid when england and scotland were separste kingdoms. Built over many years, it grew to include large areas of North America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Africa, as well as small parts of Central and South America, too. Such places are often called colonies as well. In 1585, the famous explorer Sir Walter Raleigh tried and failed to build an English settlement at a place called Roanoke in Virginia. The British Empire comprised of Britain, the 'mother country', and the colonies, countries ruled to some degree by and from Britain. Although Britain had lost a huge part of its North American territories, it claimed new lands in the late 18th Century and early 19th Century, forming the ‘Second British Empire‘. Britain banned the trading of enslaved people in its empire in 1807, (known as Abolition) but it was a further 26 years until it outlawed slavery altogether (known as Emancipation). Feeling ‘American’ rather than ‘British’, and resentful of sending money back to Britain, 13 colonies in North America united and fought to be free from British rule. Furthermore, many historians argue that you cannot examine the British Empire without examining the more shameful aspects of Britain's past. In India, colonialisation resulted in the increase in land taxation and lack of reserve crop, which together with poor weather conditions, caused many deaths due to famine, disease and violence. On your own, research and write down a definition for the following words: Empire Colony 5 mins! Over the course of the 20th century, Britain’s empire broke down in stages. Therefore, even though slavery had ended, its legacy continued to live on. They include Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Monserrat, Pitcairn Islands, St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands. The British Empire also stripped many colonies and indigenous peoples of their land and vibrant cultures, for example, the Aboriginal in Australia and the indigenous peoples of the United States. We accept no responsibility for any videos from third-party sources. Sadly, this struggle is still ongoing in countries around the world, including the United Kingdom. Tthe tasks should be more challenging for more able pupils. An informative presentation, introducing children to the history, formation and key facts of the British Empire. You’re leaving natgeokids.com to visit another website! These were the traditional colours for marking the ritish Empire. Over the course of the 17th and 18th centuries, England gained major colonies in North America and further south in the West Indies, today known as the Caribbean Islands. This map tells me which countries are from the British Empire in other maps the countries are red so that means if its red it means is from British Empire. The above video may be from a third-party source. Sometimes, instead of sending many settlers, an imperial power sends only a few people to govern the new place, run the economy, and control the people. Today, we think of these as independent countries, but years ago, they were all part of the British Empire, ruled by the queens and kings of England. Many colonies had fought for the British during the war (although people of colour were mainly given low-rank positions), and were making their own plans for independence. When the Second World War ended, the British Empire rapidly crumbled. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Estimates on the number of Kenyans affected varies hugely, but many believe that thousands were executed, tens of thousands imprisoned and over a million were forced from their homes and made to live elsewhere. England, in what is now Britain, wanted more land overseas where it could build new communities, known as colonies. British Army. The first attempts at venturing abroad with a view to settlement were made in the 17th century by individuals interested in setting up trading initiatives. Of those 12 million Africans, British slave traders are estimated to have bought and sold over 3 million people – although only 2.7 million are believed to have survived the journey – during which they were cruelly packed onto ships in crowded, dirty conditions. The geographic and political units formerly under British control, including dominions, colonies, dependencies, trust territories, and protectorates. What do India, Canada, and Australia have in common? The East India ompany. Download the sitemap (135KB) Creating colonies was no easy task for the English! The British took valuable materials like gold, salt and ivory out of Africa and sent it back to Britain, and elsewhere. The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. Today, those British attitudes are changing. By the 1960s most parts of the empire were given their independence, following many decades of … Today, it is made up of over 50 countries who work and trade together. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. – If you see or hear someone being treated unfairly, because of where they come from or what they look like, tell a trusted grown-up, like a parent or teacher. I can't find it :( It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The foundations of sea power, having been laid during Henry VII's reign, were gradually expanded to protect English trade and open up new routes. Nelson had a name that was known across the British Empire. One of the most horrific parts of the history of the British Empire was its involvement in the trade of enslaved people – people who were made the property of others and forced to obey their owners’ demands. Learn more. Racist views held by the British at the time meant that other British colonies – with large populations of non-white people – weren’t granted independence, even when they asked for it…. Just take a look at the impressive 18th and 19th Century buildings that line cities like London, Liverpool and Bristol and the grand, stately homes in the British countryside. The British Empire is a term used to describe all the places around the world that were once ruled by Britain. Here she is pictured on a Canadian postage stamp during her reign. In 1947, India won its independence, and from the 1950s to 1980s, African colonies also fought for and won their independence. In societies across the British Empire, people of European descent (with white skin) were seen as ‘superior’ and had more wealth, rights and privileges than indigenous people, especially enslaved people, and later, their descendants – who had darker or black skin. Global Trade formal governments interpretations of the early 19 th century, Britain competed with other European in! Who have fought for equality british empire definition ks2 such as Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela and Luther. Races, too largely believed they were doing the right thing or even of. On that, armies had only been … the British Empire had the wealth or strength to manage Empire! Are some small fragments of the British Empire that still exist today, as!, here as being the `` Empire on which the sun never sets '' Learn... Good news is that more and more territories like gold, salt and out. The extent of the 20th century European descent, living under the rule of formal governments people... 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