Year 9 - History
Imperial anxiety and celebration of Empire
Interpreting the British Empire: how has it been commemorated and contested?
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about how the British Empire was viewed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They analyse how imperial anxiety, decline, and decolonisation have all led to changes in its historiography.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the causes of 'imperial anxiety' and how Britain responded to this through a celebration of empire.
Key Notes
- British dominance was challenged towards the end of the 19th century by the rise of Germany and the USA.
- 'Imperial anxiety' was caused by international competition and nationalist movements in the colonies.
- Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1897 was designed to celebrate the British Empire.
Vocabulary To Learn
- empire: a group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by another person or group of people is called an empire
- imperial: something relating to empire is known as imperial
- imperial anxiety: imperial anxiety is the sense of unease within an empire due to potential threats to its power
- nationalism: in this lesson, nationalism is support for the political independence of a country
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The rise of Germany and the USA and the growth of nationalist movements in the late 19th century contributed to imperial decline.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
British dominance was challenged towards the end of the 19th century by the rise of Germany and the USA. 'Imperial anxiety' was caused by international competition and nationalist movements in the colonies.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'empire'
a group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by another person or group of people is called an empire.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: The rise of Germany and the USA and the growth of nationalist movements in the late 19th century contributed to imperial decline. Correction: The British Empire responded to this rise in anxiety by showcasing their supremacy at Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 9 History guide library.