Year 9 - History
New imperial history
Interpreting the British Empire: how has it been commemorated and contested?
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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 how historians' interpretations of empire differ and how this has evolved over the course of the 20th century.
Key Notes
- New historical perspectives on the British Empire have emerged in recent decades.
- 'New imperial history' emphasises the relationship between the metropole (Britain) and the colonies.
- 'New imperial history' explores how the colonies have shaped the metropole (Britain).
- The end of the 20th century saw a trend of scholarship from non-British perspectives such as Said and Bhabha.
- The significance of the impact of Britain on the colonies has also been debated by historians.
Vocabulary To Learn
- historiography: historiography is the study of the writing of history and of written history
- postcolonialism: postcolonialism is a theoretical approach that is concerned with the impact of colonisation in colonies and former colonies
- metropole: a metropole is the parent state of a colony
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- It is possible to view the British Empire as either a force for good or bad.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
New historical perspectives on the British Empire have emerged in recent decades. 'New imperial history' emphasises the relationship between the metropole (Britain) and the colonies.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'historiography'
historiography is the study of the writing of history and of written history.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: It is possible to view the British Empire as either a force for good or bad. Correction: The enormity of the British Empire and number of individuals involved means that to attach a simple label to the British Empire is an impossible task.
More Lessons In This Unit
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