Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils develop overview knowledge of why the British Empire grew in the 17th and 18th centuries. They learn about the state of Britain's empire at the beginning and end of the 'long eighteenth century' before analysing differing historians' arguments about why it grew.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the debate that exists among historians as to the relationship between the growth of the British Empire and the growth of Britain's economy.

Key Notes

• During the 'long eighteenth century' Britain underwent both agricultural and industrial revolutions.
• Historians have debated the extent to which these domestic developments led to the growth of the empire, or vice versa.
• A growing population in North America and the burgeoning trade in enslaved people created a demand for British goods.
• Some have argued that British manufacturing production owed more to demand from the domestic market than from overseas.
• Others have suggested that protectionist trade policies led to colonies becoming a burden on Britain.

Vocabulary To Learn

• industrial: economic activity related to the manufacturing and production of goods
• demand: the willingness and ability of people to buy something
• manufactured: something produced on a large scale by machines, usually in a factory
• investment: the act of putting money, effort, time, etc., into something to make a profit or get an advantage
• domestic market: the number of customers who have the ability to buy goods within their own country

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• The Transatlantic Slave Trade made up a large percentage of Britain's national income.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Britain's Empire at the end of the 'long eighteenth century' Study Guide
• England's Empire at the beginning of the 'long eighteenth century' Study Guide