New
New
Year 8
Britain's Empire at the end of the 'long eighteenth century'
I can describe how Britain and its empire had changed by 1815.
New
New
Year 8
Britain's Empire at the end of the 'long eighteenth century'
I can describe how Britain and its empire had changed by 1815.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Britain's population, now incorporating Scotland and Ireland, had risen to 12 million, many of whom worked in industry.
- Britain had gone through a consumer revolution and had become the world’s first mass consumer society.
- Britain had gained additional territories in America, the Caribbean, Africa and India, and trade had flourished.
- Before abolition in 1807, Britain had been the largest carrier of enslaved people to the Americas.
- Britain had developed the Royal Navy which played a key role in establishing Britain as the dominant world power
Keywords
Private - controlled or paid for by a person or company and not by the government
Consumer society - a society in which people can afford to buy non-essential goods
Imports - goods brought in from another country
Exports - goods sold to another country
Common misconception
Empire was always about conquest.
In fact, empire was often an ad-hoc private affair. For example, the East India Company had taken control over large parts of India - an expansion driven by opportunistic officials largely acting independently of the British government.
Comparison activity: create a chart which lists the changes after 1688 with the categories: population, industry, consumer society, goods traded, territories and naval power.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which event in 1688 marked a significant turning point in British history, leading to political stability that allowed for empire expansion?
The Restoration of the Monarchy
The English Civil War
The Act of Union
Q2.
What was the primary motivation for many people emigrating from England to the American colonies before the end of the 17th century?
Exploration and adventure
Escaping the plague
Seeking gold and silver
Q3.
By 1688, England had established a colony in based on the cultivation of tobacco, which became highly profitable.
Q4.
Which private company was granted a monopoly on trade with India by Queen Elizabeth I?
The British West India Company
The Royal African Company
The Virginia Company
Q5.
The first English colony in the Caribbean, established by privateers and later supported by the English monarchy, was in...
Q6.
Which law (or set of laws) passed by the English government was designed to control colonial trade and ensure that economic benefits flowed back to England?
The Sugar Act
The Stamp Act
The Quartering Act
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which significant event in 1707 contributed to the unification of the United Kingdom, aiding in its global expansion?
The Glorious Revolution
The Industrial Revolution
The Seven Years War
Q2.
By 1815, which commodity had become the single largest import into Britain, significantly influencing British culture and consumption habits?
Tobacco
Cotton
Coffee
Q3.
The Revolution was a period of rapid industrial growth that transformed Britain’s economy and contributed to its rise as a global empire.
Q4.
Which British company played a major role in expanding British control in India after the collapse of the Mughal Empire?
The Virginia Company
The British South Africa Company
The Hudson's Bay Company
Q5.
Britain’s victory in the War, considered the first global conflict, solidified its position as the dominant world power by 1763.
Q6.
Which technological innovation helped improve navigation for the Royal Navy, contributing to Britain's naval superiority?
The steam engine
The compass
The sextant
Additional material
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