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Year 10
AQA

What sources can tell us about the expansion of Empire

I can explain that different sources can tell us different things about the impact of the expansion of empire, which has been debated by historians.

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New
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Year 10
AQA

What sources can tell us about the expansion of Empire

I can explain that different sources can tell us different things about the impact of the expansion of empire, which has been debated by historians.

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Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Historians draw upon a range of sources and interpretations to study the expansion of the British Empire.
  2. Sources may tell us different things about the expansion of empire depending on their provenance.
  3. Some historians argue that the expansion of empire did have some positive impacts, particularly in India.
  4. Many historians criticise the British for the cruel and violent treatment of indigenous peoples in the colonies.

Common misconception

All British sources on imperial expansion were positive.

Not all British sources on imperial expansion were positive. There was nuance due to British awareness of the realities of empire. However, British sources are more likely to be positive in outlook regarding British imperial expansion.

Keywords

  • Interpretation - the process by which we analyse and explain past events

  • Provenance - a term used to describe a source's background; its nature, origin and purpose

Help students to develop a deeper understanding of how to critically evaluate historical information and draw more informed conclusions about the past, through conveying a thorough understanding of source provenance.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which word describes the British colony in southern Africa?
Correct Answer: Cape Colony
Q2.
Which word describes a member of the Dutch population which settled in southern Africa in the late 17th century?
Correct Answer: Boer
Q3.
Why did Britain invade parts of southern Africa between 1860 and 1890?
silver and oil were discovered
rubber and coal were discovered
Correct answer: gold and diamonds were discovered
Q4.
Which of the following were tactics used by the British against the Boers?
Correct answer: concentration camps to detain Boer civilians
Correct answer: scorched earth policy
rounds of negotiation talks
Correct answer: justified their invasion using Social Darwinism
chemical warfare
Q5.
Which treaty was passed in 1902 to end the Boer Wars?
the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
the Treaty of Paris
the Treaty of Versailles
Correct answer: the Treaty of Vereeniging
Q6.
Which of these social reforms were introduced following the Boer Wars?
Correct answer: the provision of free and compulsory education
the introduction of the National Health Service (NHS)
Correct answer: the establishment of a national health insurance system
the provision of free university tuition for all

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which word describes the process by which we analyse and explain past events?
Correct Answer: interpretation
Q2.
Which term is used to describe a source's background?
Correct Answer: provenance
Q3.
Why are contemporary cartoons useful sources for a historian studying the expansion of the British Empire?
show popular styles of drawing at the time
Correct answer: provide insights into the political, social and economic landscape at the time
Correct answer: depict the activities and impacts of the empire's expansion
show popular magazines and newspapers at the time
Q4.
Complete the sentence: Some historians argue that the expansion of empire did have some impacts, particularly in India.
Correct Answer: positive
Q5.
Match each element of source provenance with the correct description.
Correct Answer:nature,What type of source is it, e.g. cartoon, newspaper article, letter?

What type of source is it, e.g. cartoon, newspaper article, letter?

Correct Answer:origin,In what historical context was it created?

In what historical context was it created?

Correct Answer:purpose,Why was the source created, for what audience?

Why was the source created, for what audience?

Q6.
Which of the following examples would a historian who is presenting a negative view of empire point to?
impact on Britain culturally
infrastructure and administrative development in the colonies
Correct answer: long-term consequences for the colonies
Correct answer: exploitation and mistreatment of indigenous populations

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