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Year 9

Imperial anxiety and celebration of Empire

I can explain the causes of 'imperial anxiety' and how Britain responded to this through a celebration of empire.

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New
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Year 9

Imperial anxiety and celebration of Empire

I can explain the causes of 'imperial anxiety' and how Britain responded to this through a celebration of empire.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. British dominance was challenged towards the end of the 19th century by the rise of Germany and the USA.
  2. 'Imperial anxiety' was caused by international competition and nationalist movements in the colonies.
  3. Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1897 was designed to celebrate the British Empire.

Keywords

  • Empire - a group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by another person or group of people is called an empire

  • Imperial - something relating to empire is known as imperial

  • Imperial anxiety - imperial anxiety is the sense of unease within an empire due to potential threats to its power

  • Nationalism - in this lesson, nationalism is support for the political independence of a country

Common misconception

The rise of Germany and the USA and the growth of nationalist movements in the late 19th century contributed to imperial decline.

The British Empire responded to this rise in anxiety by showcasing their supremacy at Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

In the third learning cycle, you can explain the enormity of the jubilee by explaining the role played by children in the occasion. On 23 June 10,000 school children gathered outside Buckingham Palace to greet the queen.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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.
A group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by another person or group of people is known as an...
Correct Answer: empire, Empire
Q2.
Which of the following statements is a correct definition of gunboat diplomacy?
Correct answer: foreign policy that is supported by the threat of military force
foreign policy that is supported by the use of military force
foreign policy that is created following the use of military force
Q3.
What was showcased at the Great Exhibition? Select the statement that best answers the question.
British exhibits only
Exhibits from the British colonies only
Correct answer: Exhibits from Britain and its' colonies
Q4.
How did visitors respond to the exhibits at the Great Exhibition? Select the most accurate statement.
It increased their anxiety as they saw the power of other countries.
Correct answer: They saw the progress of the British Empire.
Correct answer: It helped to cement their view of the supremacy of the British Empire.
Q5.
Which of the following statements is not correct?
The Great Exhibition was held at the Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace was located in Hyde Park
The Great Exhibition was located in Hyde Park
Correct answer: The Great Exhibition was built in Crystal Palace
Q6.
Which of the following statements most accurately describes the high Victorian view towards the British Empire?
They saw the empire as negative
Correct answer: They saw the empire as very positive
They were neutral in their feelings towards the empire

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The keyword that describes the sense of unease of an empire due to potential threats to its power is...
Correct Answer: imperial anxiety
Q2.
Support for the political independence of a country is known as...
Correct Answer: nationalism, Nationalism
Q3.
Which of the following statements best describes how Britain responded to the growing sense of imperial anxiety?
they fell into imperial decline
they did not respond
Correct answer: they celebrated their empire at Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
Q4.
Why did the British government not meet the demands of the Indian National Congress when it was first established?
They did not like their aggressive tactics
They didn't have time to meet their demands as they were focussed on Germany
Correct answer: They were reliant on India for economic benefits
Q5.
In which year was Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee?
1870
1867
Correct answer: 1897
Q6.
Which of the following two organisations were Irish nationalist movements in the late 19th century?
Correct answer: Irish Republican Brotherhood
Irish Republican Fatherhood
Correct answer: the Home Rule League
the Home Order League

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