The growth of Britain's economy and empire
I can describe the debate that exists among historians as to the relationship between the growth of the British Empire and the growth of Britain's economy.
The growth of Britain's economy and empire
I can describe the debate that exists among historians as to the relationship between the growth of the British Empire and the growth of Britain's economy.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- During the 'long eighteenth century' Britain underwent both agricultural and industrial revolutions.
- Historians have debated the extent to which these domestic developments led to the growth of the empire, or vice versa.
- A growing population in North America and the burgeoning trade in enslaved people created a demand for British goods.
- Some have argued that British manufacturing production owed more to demand from the domestic market than from overseas.
- Others have suggested that protectionist trade policies led to colonies becoming a burden on Britain.
Keywords
Industrial - economic activity related to the manufacturing and production of goods
Demand - the willingness and ability of people to buy something
Manufactured - something produced on a large scale by machines, usually in a factory
Investment - the act of putting money, effort, time, etc., into something to make a profit or get an advantage
Domestic market - the number of customers who have the ability to buy goods within their own country
Common misconception
The Transatlantic Slave Trade made up a large percentage of Britain’s national income.
The direct profit from the trade in enslaved people was 1% of Britain’s national income. However, much more wealth was generated in Britain from the trade in products produced by enslaved labour, and by provisioning the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: The growth of Britain's economy and empire, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: The growth of Britain's economy and empire, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The British Empire: why did it grow in the 17th and 18th centuries? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
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