KS3 British History: Explaining the Growth of the British Empire c.1700 - c.1900

In this lesson, students will be able to define what the British Empire was and then explain why the British Empire expanded in the years c.1700-c.1900. As always, the lesson includes a wide range of activities, printable resources and engaging background knowledge to help students explain the growth of the British Empire.

The lesson includes the following:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2: Lesson learning aims and progress
Slide 3: Lesson Warm Up – The definition of the term ‘Empire’
Slide 4: Starter Task – The British Empire by c.1900 – identify part of the British empire using the map
Slide 5: Background information – The growth of the British Empire.
Slide 6: Think & discuss question based on the phrase ‘ An empire one which the sun never sets’.
Slide 7: Activity 1 – Discussion and diagram based on the advantages Britain would gain having an empire.
Slide 8: Activity 2 – Match the historical interpretation about the British Empire to the reason for its growth
Slide 9: Activity 2 printable resource
Slide 10: Activity 2 answers
Slide 11: Three useful documentary clips about the growth of the British empire
Slide 12: Activity 3 - instructions
Slide 13: Activity 3 - printable worksheet (older/higher ability)
Slide 14: Activity 3 - printable worksheet (younger/lower ability)
Slide 15: Activity 4 - printable question sheet
Slide 16: Activity 5 – Extended historical writing task
Slide 17: Activity 5 – Model PEE paragraph
Slide 18: Challenge questions
Slide 19: Learning Review Quiz with answers

I would be grateful if you could leave a review for the lesson if you feel the lesson is effective for you. Many thanks if you spend some of your valuable time doing this as feedback is highly valued.

All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.