Imperial decline
I can describe the trend of British imperial decline that took place towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries.
Imperial decline
I can describe the trend of British imperial decline that took place towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- By the early 20th century, Germany and the USA had overtaken Britain as dominant global powers.
- The British government created the 'two-power standard' in 1889 to maintain British naval supremacy.
- Anxiety around the decline of Britain's empire led to a movement called 'national efficiency'.
- By the end of the First World War Britain's power was severely weakened.
Keywords
Two-power standard - the 'two-power standard' was the British policy of maintaining a navy which was larger than the next two largest navies combined
National efficiency - 'national efficiency' was the argument that British society needed to become more productive to maintain imperial dominance
Decline - decline is a gradual and continuous loss of strength
Common misconception
The trend of British imperial decline was caused by foreign policy and external threats.
There is a link between foreign and domestic policy, both of which contributed to imperial decline.
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Imperial decline, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Imperial decline, 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 Interpreting the British Empire: how has it been commemorated and contested? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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