11.1 The development of the British Empire.pptx

Year 8 unit 11 history

1. 11.1 The development of the British Empire 11.1 The development of the British Empire LO: Define the words ‘empire’ and ‘colony’, explain how and why Britain gained an empire.

2. An empire is a collection of areas of land (or whole countries) that are ruled over and controlled by one leading or ‘mother’ country. The areas of land or whole countries that are ruled over by the ‘mother’ country are called colonies. Britain ruled the largest empire in history, it was made up of 56 colonies around the world and more than 450 million people.

3. By 1900 Britain's empire contained a ¼ of the worlds population, and ¼ of the Earths total land area.

4. There were four reasons Britain wanted an empire: To get valuable raw materials (like diamonds, cotton, tea, and sugar). So it could sell goods in the colonies and make money. To have more power. Thought it was the “right thing to do”.

5. Britain built it empires by creating colonies through 4 different means: War. “Discovery”. “Settlers”. Trade.

6. War If Britain won a war against another country, it would take over any land the other country owned throughout the entire world. For example, when Britain won a war against France, the French colonies in America and India became part of the British Empire, they became British colonies.

7. “Discovery” Explorers would discover land and claim it in the name of the “Motherland” and it would become a colony of Britain. For example, in 1770 James Cook sailed to Australia, to claim it for Britain. British colonisers built colonies. However there were already people who had lived in “Australia” for 60,000 years. The indigenous people, who they cheated and killed. Making Australia part of the British Empire.

8. “Settlers” British people would go to another part of the world and live there. They would go looking for new business opportunities or a chance to own land, or escaping religious prosecution. This is how large parts of the east coast of America became part of the British Empire.

9. Trade When British companies traded, they slowly took over large areas of the country they were trading with. The government would often send soldiers to support the companies to help “guard” the trading settlements. This happened all over India and Africa for many years.

10. Sometimes they took over quickly, others took longer. For example, Britain started trading with India in the early 1600’s however it was the mid 1800’s by the time India was officially a part of the British Empire.

11. Please complete the Over to You question 1 on p.203