British Empire
Indiana World History Standards
WH.7.1 Discuss the rise of nation-states* and nationalism in Europe, North America and
Asia and explain the causes, main events and global consequences of imperialism
from these areas.
WH.7.2 Analyze the causes and consequences of European imperialism upon the
indigenous peoples of Africa, Asia and Oceania.
WH.9.1 Identify patterns of historical change and duration and construct a representation that illustrates
continuity and change.
Today’s Objectives
- To analyze the rise of the British Empire and its influence on the world in the 19th century
3
• Path to Empire
→ After the loss of the Amer. colonies, Great Britain turns its
attention to Africa, Asia, and the Pacific
→ India replaced the American colonies as the most vital to
the British Empire
…and British policy shifts to the protection of the Suez Canal,
resulting in its involvement in the Middle East
→ GB becomes the first nation to end slave trade in 1807
→ Defeat of Napoleon in 1815 leaves GB without a rival
…unchallenged in Europe &
on the sea
…begins period of British
world dominance from 1815-1914
“jewel of the British Empire”
• Sun Never Sets on the British Empire
video: Crash Course “Captain Cook”
→ British Empire built on the Industrial Revolution…
…steamship, telegraph, railroads, etc
→ British Empire includes nearly 20% of world’s population
and covers ¼ of Earth’s total land area
…protected by the world’s most respected & feared navy
→ Empire spanned from Canada to Africa to India to Australia
• Decline of the British Empire
→ British North America Act in 1867 creates the nation of
Canada
…self-governing and independent of the British Empire
→ By 1931, Australia also becomes a self-governing nation
…originally served as penal colony for British criminals
…still recognizes the British monarch as its head of state
→ In 1947, India, the “jewel of the British Empire”, wins
independence from the British Empire
…under the leadership Gandhi
- used passive resistance
against British rule
Gandhi
Essential Question
Summarize how Canada, India, Australia departed the
British Empire
Target Questions
• What was GB the 1st to do in 1807?
• Why was a strong navy important to GB?
• How did Gandhi fight British rule?
Required Reading Question(s)
1) Why did GB focus on Africa, Asia, & the Pacific?