8.6 What is the legacy of the British Empire today?
How did the British government commemorate powerful colonists during the Victorian era?
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Lesson description
Between the World Wars, and especially after World War Two, the British Empire’s power began to decline. In the second half of the 20th century, rapid decolonisation created dozens of new independent countries.
Whether it was through Gandhi’s non-violent resistance movement in India, or Britain’s violent response to the Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya, countries slipped from the empire’s grasp – and began to make their own futures.
This chapter looks at how we can see, feel, and evaluate the empire’s 500-year history today.
Lesson highlights
- A striking tour through London in the 2020s, highlighting visible legacies f the British Empire in its capital city
- Analysis of different views on the empire, and its impact on the modern world
- Tools for students to form their own judgements on the British Empire’s legacy
More lessons
8.1 The British Empire (In One Take)
Take a fascinating tour through the British Empire in just eight minutes!
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8.2 What motivated Britain's first colonists?
Meet the colonists and learn about their motives for exploring and exploiting around the world.
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8.3 How did the British Empire develop?
Meet those who resisted the rise of the British Empire in this engaging musical video.