the british empire Flashcards
when did it start?
late 1500’s under queen elizabeth
how many people did the empire rule over in the 1900’s?
over 400 million people
how did british goverment benefit?
economically
what happened to those colonised by the british empire?
the people colonised by the british had british laws and customs imposed upon them, lost their ability to govern themselves and were, in many cases, violently oppressed.
what happened in 1858?
In 1585, Queen Elizabeth I gave Walter Raleigh permission to set up a colony on Roanoke Island, now part of the modern-day USA. The settlers had lost most of their supplies on the journey and struggled to find food when theirs ran out. They were at first reliant on local indigenous people for food, but there was a lack of trust between the two groups and the relationship descended into violence.
why did britain build an empire?
Britain decided to build an empire for several reasons. These included:
- To gain more money
- To gain more power
- To spread Christianity and British ways of life
how long did the empire last for?
The empire existed for nearly 400 years in total. It spread from the Americas to include colonies in Africa, Asia and Australasia. During this time Britain lost and gained colonies.
describe the expansion of the British empire in India
From 1757 onwards, the British East India Company began to establish control over much of India. The money the British made by exploiting local rulers and workers funded the continuing progress of the Industrial Revolution. In 1858, India became an official colony of the British Empire. It was considered the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the British Empire.
Why was India referred to as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the British Empire?
Ruling India was economically very beneficial for Britain, because the British authorities exploited India’s resources and population. India had a population of around 300 million people, which meant the British could export and trade goods to this huge market. India also produced goods Britain could sell at home and worldwide for a huge profit. India also had a strong army, which Britain was able to use. The Indian Army fought alongside British troops in several conflicts. Indian soldiers fought in the Second Boer War in South Africa from 1899 - 1902, and in both world wars.
describe life in britain during the empire
Ruling India was economically very beneficial for Britain, because the British authorities exploited India’s resources and population. India had a population of around 300 million people, which meant the British could export and trade goods to this huge market. India also produced goods Britain could sell at home and worldwide for a huge profit. India also had a strong army, which Britain was able to use. The Indian Army fought alongside British troops in several conflicts. Indian soldiers fought in the Second Boer War in South Africa from 1899 - 1902, and in both world wars.
