The History
Answer the following questions.
Where do your family originally come from?
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Where were your grandparents born?
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Did they ever move to another town or country? When? Why?
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Has anyone in your family ever emigrated? Where did they go? Why?
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(MapChart, sd)
Share the answers with your classmates and colour the diversity map.
Diversity is everything that makes people different from each other. This includes many different
factors: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, ability, age, religious
belief, or political conviction.
THE BRITISH EMPIRE
What do you know about the British Empire?
At its peak the British Empire was the largest empire the world had ever known. It was said ‘the sun
never sets on the British Empire’ because its span across the globe ensured that the sun was always
shining on at least one of its numerous colonies or subject nations. Its power and influence stretched
all over the globe for several centuries. For better or worse it had a massive impact on the history of
the world. In the 16th century Britain began to establish overseas colonies. By 1783, Britain had built
a large empire with colonies in America and the West Indies. By 1921, it has reached its territorial
peak.
Shameful aspects of the British Empire:
Many historians argue that you cannot examine the British Empire without examining the more
shameful aspects of Britain's past. Britain was heavily involved with the Transatlantic slave trade in
the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The British Empire also stripped many colonies and indigenous
peoples of their land and vibrant cultures. Colonisation also caused many deaths due to famine,
disease and violence.
Watch the video and answer the following questions.
1. How did Britain colonise the whole world?
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2. Why did Britain colonise the whole world?
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3. Do you think Colonisation was fair? Why do you think so?
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FROM THE BRITISH EMPIRE TO THE COMMONWEALTH
What is the Commonwealth? From the British Empire to the
The Commonwealth is a free association of 53 Commonwealth
independent nations around the world sharing The modern Commonwealth evolved out of
many common interests. Britain’s imperial past over a period of many
As a multicultural association of states, all years, largely as a result of decolonisation, the
equal and sovereign, it is a world away from effects of two World Wars and changing
the handful of British Dominions which were patterns of international relations. Today, it
the first Commonwealth (Canada, Australia, helps to advance democracy and human rights
New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Eire, and sustains economic and social development.
and Newfoundland) The heads of government of all
Commonwealth countries meet every two
years.
Vocabulary
Dominion: dominance of power through legal authority
Imperial: relating to an empire
[ CITATION Mar20 \l 1043 ]
Watch the video and circle the right answer. Multiple answers are possible.
1. British Empire was the largest empire in the world history?
a. Yes
b.No
2. Why was there a “scramble for Africa”? (Colonisation of Africa)
a. To influence culture
b.To get rich off of Africa’s resources
3. What did the British do to revenge the Benin Disaster?
a. As revenge the British troops burned the city to the ground, completely destroying
the kingdom of Benin and establishing full control of the region.
b. They’ve declared the independence of Nigeria.
c. They stole thousands of artifacts, including the Benin Bronzes.
4. What did the British do with the stolen artifacts?
a. The British photographed the artifacts and displayed the photos in the British
History Museum.
b. They were sold all over the world and locked up in the Western institutions.
5. Why won’t the British museum return the art to the colonised countries?
a. A rule that says “We do not give back artifacts. We can lend them out.”
b. The British believe it would take away from the knowledge of the cultures.
6. Do you think the stolen artifacts should be returned to the original countries? Why?
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https://www.britannica.com/summary/Decline-of-the-British-Empire
Campen, M. (2020, November 6). 7 Ways to Support Diversity in the Classroom. Opgehaald van
Prodigy Game: https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/diversity-in-the-classroom/
Kelley L. Ross, Ph.D. . (2000-2001). Opgehaald van The Sun Never Set on the British Empire, circa
1937: http://www.originofnations.org/British_Empire/The%20Sun%20Never%20Set%20on
%20the%20British%20Empire/The%20Sun%20Never%20Set%20on%20the%20British
%20Empire.htm
MapChart. (sd). World Map: Simple. Opgehaald van Mapchart: https://mapchart.net/world.html
Mentimeter. (sd). Mentimeter. Opgehaald van My Presenations:
https://www.mentimeter.com/s/cdd70f85513f20695d51d37e952e5ec8/9f0aa4191d9e/edit
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where the sun never set: https://www.newsflashenglish.com/files/lesson-pdfs/british-
empire.pdf
The Commonwealth. (sd). The Commonwealth. Opgehaald van Member countries:
https://thecommonwealth.org/member-countries
