1. Was the British Empire a force for good?
Lesson Objective:
To explore whether the British Empire was a force for good or evil so that I can evaluate Britain’s impact on the world.
Better
Will also be able to explain reasons why the British Empire has been interpreted in different ways by directly comparing them.
Good
Will be able to describe different ways in which the British Empire has been interpreted and combine information to briefly evaluate its impact.
Best
Will also be able to explain which interpretations are most reliable and select and combine information to evaluate its impact and come to a well-reasoned conclusion.
Chronological Understanding
Diversity
Change and continuity
Cause and consequence
Significance
Interpretation

2. Are empires good or evil?
Starter
Are empires good or evil?
In pairs discuss and make a list for good and a list for evil.

3. Link it to previous learning
Look back at your notes from your work on the British Empire. Can you link any of your previous learning?
Add to the good and bad sides what you can.
Turn to the person next to you and share your links- you must exchange at least two!

4. Was the British Empire bad or good?
You have 16 pieces of information.
Decide if they show the British Empire in a positive or negative light by dividing them into a good group and a bad group.
Then start to divide each group of ideas according to how important they are with one for most important and eight for least important.

5. Foods: Many of the foods we enjoy today come from the countries of the British Empire such as tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, curry and rice.
Foods: Many of the foods we enjoy today come from the countries of the British Empire such as tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, curry and rice.
Language: The English language is richer because many of the words come from the colonies for example; bungalow, bungle, bandana, chutney, cheetah, cot, jungle, shampoo and pyjamas.
Language: The English language is richer because many of the words come from the colonies for example; bungalow, bungle, bandana, chutney, cheetah, cot, jungle, shampoo and pyjamas.
Law: Britain left its system of law in the countries it colonised , a legacy of good even today.
Law: Britain left its system of law in the countries it colonised , a legacy of good even today.
Government: Many former colonies continue to use the democratic system of Parliament introduced by Britain. This is a force of good in the world.
Government: Many former colonies continue to use the democratic system of Parliament introduced by Britain. This is a force of good in the world.
Infrastructure: The colonies benefited from the legacy Britain left in improved infrastructure such as good roads, railway systems, canals, bridges and dams. Britain also introduced clean water supplies to lots of colonies.
Infrastructure: The colonies benefited from the legacy Britain left in improved infrastructure such as good roads, railway systems, canals, bridges and dams. Britain also introduced clean water supplies to lots of colonies.
Religion: Some people would argue that Christianity was a force for good in the colonies as it taught people how to live in a good way.
Religion: Some people would argue that Christianity was a force for good in the colonies as it taught people how to live in a good way.
Agriculture: Britain introduced new farming techniques which meant more food was produced and exported from the colonies.
Agriculture: Britain introduced new farming techniques which meant more food was produced and exported from the colonies.
Education: The colonies benefited from the introduction of the British education system which continues today.
Education: The colonies benefited from the introduction of the British education system which continues today.

6. Rebellion: Many people were killed when they rebelled against British rule for example; the Mau Mau rebellion, Kenya 1956 and the Amritsar Rebellion, India 1919.
Rebellion: Many people were killed when they rebelled against British rule for example; the Mau Mau rebellion, Kenya 1956 and the Amritsar Rebellion, India 1919.
Economies: People argue that the economies in the colonies were wrecked because of Britain's hold over transport and raw materials such as iron ore. Britain became rich and powerful whilst her colonies remained poor.
Economies: People argue that the economies in the colonies were wrecked because of Britain's hold over transport and raw materials such as iron ore. Britain became rich and powerful whilst her colonies remained poor.
Religion: People argue that the spread of Christianity prevented people following their own religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
Religion: People argue that the spread of Christianity prevented people following their own religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
Soldiers: Many colonial soldiers died fighting for Britain in her wars. Would they have fought if their own countries were independent?
Soldiers: Many colonial soldiers died fighting for Britain in her wars. Would they have fought if their own countries were independent?
People: Native people of the colonies such as the Aborigines in Australia had their land taken by the British. 800% of the Aboriginal population were wiped out in 150 years.
People: Native people of the colonies such as the Aborigines in Australia had their land taken by the British. 800% of the Aboriginal population were wiped out in 150 years.
Culture: British customs were seen to be forced on people while their own local customs were ignored.
Culture: British customs were seen to be forced on people while their own local customs were ignored.
Democracy: Often the indigenous people in a colony were denied the right to vote just like many adults and women in Britain.
Democracy: Often the indigenous people in a colony were denied the right to vote just like many adults and women in Britain.
Disease: People in colonies had no resistance to the diseases the British bought with them so many died. However the British did bring medical advances to the colonies.
Disease: People in colonies had no resistance to the diseases the British bought with them so many died. However the British did bring medical advances to the colonies.

7. Good Points
Bad Points

8. Source 3: An extract from an history textbook.
Exports
Imports
1720s
£7.5 million
£7 million
1840s
£141.5 million
£79.5 million
1885
£295 million
£390 million
Source 2: A table showing the amount of money made by Britain per year from imports and exports at the docks in London.
Source 1: By the 19th Century London was at the heart of a huge commercial empire. This picture shows the West India Docks, London in Entering from the River Thames, at the bottom of the picture, ships from across the globe could go to the Timber Dock (on the left), the export doc (centre) or the import doc (on the right), all surrounded by warehouses for the huge amount and variety of goods that arrived for import and export.
The British Empire was the fuel which drove the Industrial Revolution. Britain was able to import goods such as sugar, tobacco, cotton, chocolate, bananas, oranges and pineapples. Some goods, such as cotton, were processed in British factories and sold on for a big profit. Other goods that were imported, such as tropical fruit, were sold by working and middle class people which resulted in more people becoming wealthy. The development of refrigerated ships meant meat could be imported from Australia and New Zealand. This lead to British people having a more varied diet and more money going back to the lands of the British Empire.
Source 3: An extract from an history textbook.
In countries such as Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) Britain established mines to export precious minerals such as gold and diamonds. They were also used to export iron ore which was used to build ships and railways amongst other goods. Access to these minerals were vital to the success of Britain and the Industrial Revolution as it rapidly increased the wealth of Britain.
Source 5: Written by Arthur Toynbee, a historian who specialises in the Industrial Revolution.
Source 4: A sketch of the development of the Indian Railway system. During the 1800’s, development of the steam engine meant goods and people were easier to transport. In India, Britain built hundreds of miles of railway which demonstrated the industrial success of Britain. The railways were an example of how advanced the Industrial Revolution had made Britain and allowed Britain to keep control of her empire.

9. Who benefits, Britain or another country in the empire?
Source description
What does it say?
Inferences
Who benefits, Britain or another country in the empire? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

10. Homework
‘The British Empire was more good than bad’. How far do you agree with this statement? Use your learning to explain your answer.
P1. Introduction…
P2. On the one hand some people think……
P3. On the other hand some people may say……
P4. In conclusion I think……
NB: Make sure you use two decent examples to support each side and fully explain your points!