Study Guides

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 explain that the British government produced imperial propaganda to maintain British support for the Empire's expansion.

Key Notes

• The expansion of the British Empire created huge financial benefits for Britain.
• Britain believed it had a duty to 'civilise' people within the Empire, which is known as a civilising mission.
• The British government used propaganda to increase support for empire so they could continue expanding.
• Many products were covered in images of the Empire and in 1887 a range of empire souvenirs were produced.
• Books and newspapers gave positive accounts of overseas wars in the Empire.

Vocabulary To Learn

• imperial: relating to empire
• civilising: the view that colonisation is justifiable because it involves bringing cultural, political and scientific advancement to colonies
• propaganda: the circulation of one-sided or misleading information usually to promote a political cause

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• The British public uniformly supported imperial expansion and wars.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Angevin Empire Study Guide
• Cecil Rhodes and the Boer War Study Guide
• Experience of post-WW2 migrants in Britain Study Guide
• Factors causing westward migration Study Guide
• Huguenot migration Study Guide
• Impact of conquest and settlement on medieval Britain Study Guide
• Impact of empire on migration in and out of Britain Study Guide
• Irish migration to Britain in the 19th century Study Guide
• Jewish migration to Britain in the 19th and 20th centuries Study Guide
• Movement within the British Empire Study Guide
• Post war migration to Britain: Migration from East Africa Study Guide
• Post war migration to Britain: The Falklands Study Guide
• Post war migration to Britain: The Windrush generation Study Guide
• The arrival of the Vikings Study Guide
• The colonisation of North America Study Guide
• The Danish conquest Study Guide
• The end of the British Empire in the 20th century Study Guide
• The Hundred Years' War Study Guide
• The impact of British rule in India Study Guide
• The impact of the EU on migrant experiences in Britain Study Guide
• The impact of the World Wars on migration to and from Britain Study Guide
• The Indian Rebellion Study Guide
• The Norman conquest (1066) Study Guide
• The origins of British rule in India Study Guide
• The scramble for Africa Study Guide
• The Transatlantic Slave Trade Study Guide
• The War of Independence Study Guide
• Ulster Plantations and Highland Clearances Study Guide
• What sources can tell us about the expansion of Empire Study Guide