The British Empire Flashcards
What is an Empire?
A group of countries , people or land controlled and ruled by one single powerful country.
What is a colony?
A country that is part of an Empire.
What is the Commonwealth?
A group of nations with a shared loyalty or government.
How much of the world did the British Empire control at its largest?
22%, 450 million people
When did the British Empire begin?
16th century
Name 8 countries of the British Empire
Australia
South Africa
Canada
Ireland
New Zealand
Barbados
Sri Lanka
India
Jamaica
Tanzania
Malaysia
What was Australia used for?
As a location for criminals.
What were the criminals used for in Australia?
workforce, building roads, houses, shops etc
What else was Australia useful for?
A Naval base and for people to find a better life away from poverty
Give 3 crops that were grown in the warm Caribbean climate for Britain.
Sugar
Cocoa
Coffee
What happened in the mid 1800s to the crops?
Bad weather meant less was grown, less money from the area. More sugar was being grown in America too.
How did Britain use the people of Africa?
Used them as slaves, made money by selling them at auctions.
How else was Africa useful -particularly the Gold Coast?
It held lots of ivory, gold and silver which was traded for fortunes.
How was India useful to the British Empire?
India produced spices and materials which could be traded.
Name 5 ways Britain kept control of her Empire.
military force
use of locals
communication
gradual change
dealing with resistance
How did Britain use military force in controlling her Empire?
they developed weaponry such as the Maxim machine gun
How did Britain use the locals to control her Empire?
They made the local rich people feel wanted and gave them money and power.
Local people then ran the police, law courts and prisons.
How did Britain use communication to control her Empire?
telegraphs, radios and ships
How did Britain change the Empire?
they didn’t change everything at once - they gradually developed it over time
How did Britain deal with resistance to her Empire?
Protestors were immediately jailed and local armies were broken up