1. The British Empire 27th November 2014
Learning Objectives
1) Why did Britain develop an Empire?
2) What were the positives and negatives of British Colonialism?
3) How did Britain’s actions fit different theories?
Learning Objective:
Students will be able to describe/explain/evaluate British colonialism
‘The sun never sets on the British Empire’
Starter: What do you think is meant by the above phrase, coined in the 19th Century?

2. The British Empire
What do you notice about the areas that Britain colonised?

3. Developing International Influence
Geography
Geographical Location
Size of Population
Military Power
Army, Navy and Airforce
Nuclear Weapons
Economic Power
High GDP
Economic Growth
Large Markets
Trade Links
Cultural
Religious Beliefs
TV Networks
Which of these do you think applies to Britain 350 – 60 years ago?

4. Why did we want to have an Empire?
Land – More land and resources = more power.
Raw Materials – Cheap raw materials
Market – more customers for manufactured goods

5. Why did we have an Empire?
Spices – Mostly based in India
Silks - Indonesian Archipelago
Slaves – Africa / Caribbean / Europe

6. What did we give back?
Sport, especially Cricket e.g. India and Australia.
Railway Lines and Steam Trains.
Education.
Religion.
Trade Links.
Postal Service.

7. Colonised Nations e.g. India and Australia and Nigeria
Task: Produce a table to show the advantages and disadvantages of colonialism.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Britain
Colonised Nations e.g. India and Australia and Nigeria
Extra challenge: Who do you think gained the most Britain or colonised nations? Justify

8. V

9. Theories of Colonialism
Modernism – Europe to improve and lead the world through Colonialism
Mackinder's Heartland Theory – He who ruled the pivot would rule the heartland and then the world.
Evangelical Christianity - Spreading the word through schools and churches. Civilising inferior people.
Social Darwinism – The strong should survive over the weak (improving the gene pool). “Might make Right.”

10. Task 1: Use page 144/145 to fill out your A3 sheet on the 4 theories
THEN
Task 2: For each of the 4 core ideas surrounding colonialism explain how the development of the British Empire followed or defied their key ideas.

11. Debate
“The early colonialists were not racists, they were just looking for economic opportunities!”
Each side are to prepare a 1 minute opening speech and be prepared to continue the discussion afterwards.

12. Write up the debate as a 15 mark answer
Question –
“The early colonialists were not racists, they were just looking for economic opportunities!” - Discuss
Don’t forget to keep it balanced and include the view points of a wide range of people. Without the detail and balance you will not achieve a Level 4 answer!

13. Mark Scheme Level Mark Descriptor
Level Structure is poor or absent. Generalised comments, likely to describe a few schemes without reference to water security. Explanations are over simplified and lack clarity. Geographical terminology is rarely used with accuracy. There are frequent grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.
Level Structure is satisfactory. Some range of examples used with some details, tends to be descriptive. Explanations are clear, but there are areas of less clarity. Geographical terminology is used with some accuracy. There are some grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.
Level Structure is good. Range of examples of used some and details; begins to assess. Explanations are always clear. Answer may lack balance. Geographical terminology is used with accuracy. Grammar, punctuation and spelling errors are rare.
Level Carefully structured. Range of detailed examples, good linkage to Colonialism with genuine assessment of the different arguments. Explanations are always clear. Answer is well balanced. Geographical terminology is used with accuracy.

14. Research Task for Next Lesson The impact of Colonialism in Australia
Research Australian Aboriginals and British Colonialism.
Where did the Aboriginals occupy? Where did the British Settle?
How were Aboriginals treated by Western Settlers?
Research the “White Australian Policy”.
Research the issue of “The Stolen Generations”.
Produce a presentation to deliver next lesson!