Empire, commonwealth and postcolonial present

The British empire

• beginnings in late 16th century

• more consistent colonial policies of 18th/19th century create huge and powerful empire

• “decolonisation” after World War II

• “Commonwealth” of independant nations remains instead of British empire

• Postcolonial present, multiculturalism

Key terms and concepts:

• Imperialism and colonialism

  • Imperialism: ideology of establishing political power over foreign nation or territory

  • Colonialism: practice of imperialism; includes settlement, administration, government of a foreign nation or territory

• Race and ethnicity

  • Race: social and cultural construct based on specific physical markers, legitimises oppression of groups of people

  • Ethnicity: social and cultural construct that defines group of people by features such as language, traditions, social practices; also used to legitimise oppression