Overview of the British Empire and Its Impact

British Empire

Largest empire in history by 1913.

Queen Elizabeth I

Monarch who initiated British colonization in 1500s.

Colonization

Process of establishing control over foreign territories.

Transatlantic Slave Trade

Forced displacement of millions by British colonizers.

Roanoke Island

First attempted British colony, failed in 1590.

Jamestown

First successful British colony established in 1607.

Economic Benefits

British government profited from colonies' resources.

Indigenous Oppression

Colonized peoples lost self-governance and faced violence.

Missionaries

Individuals aimed to convert indigenous people to Christianity.

Colonial Expansion

Britain sought more power and wealth through colonies.

Spanish Empire

Controlled 50% of world silver in 1500s.

Civilizing Mission

Belief in spreading British culture to 'uncivilized' peoples.

East India Company

Established British control over India from 1757.

American Revolution

Colonies declared independence from Britain in 1776.

Recognition of Independence

Britain acknowledged USA as independent in 1783.

Colonial Territories

Included regions in Americas, Africa, Asia, Australasia.

Economic Motivation

Britain aimed to increase wealth through empire.

Cultural Imposition

British laws and customs imposed on colonized peoples.

Violent Resistance

Indigenous groups often resisted British colonization efforts.

Colonial Administration

Governance structure established by British in colonies.

Historical Duration

British Empire lasted nearly 400 years.

Indigenous Relationships

Trust issues led to violence between settlers and natives.

Jewel in the Crown

India's wealth and resources benefited the British Empire.

Scramble for Africa

Rapid colonization of Africa by European powers in 1880s.

Kingdom of Benin

African kingdom destroyed by British colonization efforts.

Benin Bronzes

Artistic plaques looted from the Kingdom of Benin.

Colonial Rule

British governance often disregarded local cultures and traditions.

Official Language

English remains the primary language in many ex-colonies.

Indigenous Language Decline

Native languages, like Maori, diminished under British rule.

High Taxes

Colonized populations faced heavy taxation by British authorities.

Natural Resource Exploitation

British extracted resources for profit, harming local economies.

Famine in India

Severe food shortages exacerbated by British agricultural policies.

Tea Production

Indians forced to grow tea for British profit.

Amritsar Massacre

1919 event where British troops fired on Indian civilians.

Jallianwala Bagh Memorial

Commemorates victims of the Amritsar Massacre in India.

Migration Opportunities

Britons could move to colonies for jobs and land.

Factory Jobs

Increased employment in Britain due to colonial trade.

Technological Developments

Advancements in machinery improved production and transport.

Railway Technology

Facilitated faster movement of goods in British colonies.

Physical Labor Reduction

New technology decreased manual work in factories.

Colonial Infrastructure

Transport systems established in colonies for British benefit.

Post-Independence Technology

Colonies retained British technology after gaining independence.

Relief Efforts

Insufficient aid during famines led to millions of deaths.

Cultural Replacement

British rule often replaced local customs with Western practices.

Opposition to Empire

Resistance against British colonial rule and practices.

William Wilberforce

Parliament member who campaigned against slavery.

Quakers

Religious group opposing slavery in Britain.

Olaudah Equiano

Formerly enslaved man who published anti-slavery autobiography.

Second Boer War

Conflict leading to public opposition against British actions.

Dominion Status

Self-governing status granted to British colonies.

Canada Dominion

First country to gain dominion status in 1867.

Australia Dominion

Gained dominion status in 1901.

South Africa Dominion

Achieved dominion status in 1910.

Treaty of Versailles

Agreement redistributing German colonies after World War One.

Commonwealth

Alliance of Britain and its dominion states established in 1926.

Decolonisation

Process of colonies gaining independence from imperial powers.

Quit India Movement

1942 campaign for Indian independence led by Gandhi.

Partition of India

1947 division of British India into India and Pakistan.

Ghana Independence

First African country to gain independence in 1957.

Belize Independence

Last country to gain independence in 1981.

Civil Disobedience

Nonviolent resistance strategy used in independence movements.

Ghanaian Flag

Designed by Theodosia Okoh, symbolizing national identity.

Overseas Territories

14 territories with constitutional ties to the UK.

Independence Movements

Growing efforts for self-rule in British colonies.

Changing British Attitudes

Shift in public opinion against imperialism post-WWII.

Natural Resources

Valuable assets exploited during colonial rule.