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Year 10 - History

The end of the British Empire in the 20th century

Britain: Migration, empires and the people - c790 to the present day

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about a theme in British history over a period of roughly 1000 years. They examine this theme, analysing the impact it had in Medieval, Early Modern, Industrial and Modern Britain, with a particular focus on change and continuity.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to recall that in the latter half of the 20th century the British Empire began to collapse with many nations being granted independence.

Key Notes

  • After WW2, the British Empire began to collapse in the face of nationalist and independence movements.
  • India was granted independence in 1947 following the violent partition of India and Pakistan.
  • In 1956, President Nasser of Egypt took control of the Suez Canal which resulted in a failed invasion from Britain.
  • In 1957, Kwame Nkrumah led the successful campaign for Ghanaian independence.
  • After a brutal and violent suppression of the Mau Mau Rebellion, Kenya was granted independence in 1963.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • decolonisation: the process by which colonies of the British Empire gradually achieved independence from Britain during the course of the 20th century
  • nationalist: a person who wants their country to be politically independent
  • partition: to divide into parts
  • rebellion: an act of rising up against rulers or authority

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Decolonisation happened everywhere at once.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

After WW2, the British Empire began to collapse in the face of nationalist and independence movements. India was granted independence in 1947 following the violent partition of India and Pakistan.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'decolonisation'

the process by which colonies of the British Empire gradually achieved independence from Britain during the course of the 20th century.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: Decolonisation happened everywhere at once. Correction: Decolonisation happened in different places at different points throughout the 20th century, for reasons specific to each area's context.

More Lessons In This Unit

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