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 recall that many soldiers from Britain's colonies fought for Britain in both World Wars, and that this had impacts on both migration and empire.

Key Notes

• During World War One thousands of Indian soldiers fought on the Western Front, then moved to Britain.
• Many African and Caribbean soldiers joined the navy, leading to the 1919 riots in Liverpool and Cardiff.
• Many colonial soldiers also served in World War Two, though they often returned to the colonies.
• WW2 created a labour shortage that meant that the government encouraged immigration from the Commonwealth.

Vocabulary To Learn

• colony: a country or area under the control of another country and occupied by settlers from that country
• Commonwealth: an international organisation consisting of states which once belonged to the British Empire
• Windrush: the name of the ship bringing the first cohort of migrants from the Caribbean to Britain after the Second World War

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Non-white soldiers and citizens of the Commonwealth played a small role during and after both World 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 imperial propaganda in the 19th century Study Guide
• The impact of the EU on migrant experiences in 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