areas of Africa beyond its coastlines were often referred to as the African interior

abolitionism refers to the movement which supported abolishing slavery and the slave trade

missionaries are people who travel to foreign countries to spread Christianity

colonisation is the process of taking over and ruling new areas as colonies

The British Empire and the Scramble for Africa

History

This will help to contexualise responses to the Empire that they will go on to study, as well as aid their appreciation of the era of decolonisation (Y9).

Pupils have already considered the emergence of the British Empire through their study of the Atlantic World and Britain's interactions with India (Y8). Pupils will have also gained a strong understanding of the importance of trade across the period of history.

The British Empire: how far was it transformed in the mid-nineteenth century?

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

movement which supported abolishing slavery and the slave trade

people who travel to foreign countries to spread Christianity

process of taking over and ruling new areas as colonies

Match the terms to their correct definitions.

Which of the following was a British colony before 1850?

Write the missing word. During the first half of the 19th century, British rule in Africa was mainly restricted to {{}} areas.

Write the missing word. Britain gained colonies such as Egypt and Nigeria during the {{}} for Africa.

Britain needed more colonies to trade in Africa.

Britain did not need colonies to trade in Africa.

Britain needed fewer colonies to help it trade in Africa.

What did Lord Palmerston, British Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister, say about colonisation in Africa?

Britain wanted palm oil from West Africa for its industry.

David Livingstone worked as a missionary in the African interior.

France began exploring Sudan in the late 19th century.

Which example best demonstrates the role of European rivalry in motivating British colonisation in Africa?

Write the missing word. {{}} diplomacy involves the use or threat of force against other countries to achieve foreign policy aims.

What colony in East Asia did Britain gain official control over in 1842?

How was British trade with the Qing Empire affected in the years after the Opium Wars?

Write the missing word. {{}} empire involved a country gaining significant influence over another but not actually ruling that other country.

Britain's formal empire expanded significantly as a result of the Opium Wars.

Britain's formal empire expanded slightly as a result of the Opium Wars.

Britain's formal empire shrank slightly as a result of the Opium Wars.

Britain's formal empire shrank significantly as a result of the Opium Wars.

Britain trades opium illegally in Britain.

Qing officials confiscate and destroy opium being traded in China.

British rule over Hong Kong extended to the Kowloon Peninsula.

Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz