Empire and migration overview: Gaining an empire
This resource is suitable for either introducing or recapping the theme of gaining and expanding empires (with a focus on British colonies and the British Empire). It was designed with AQA’s ‘Migration, empires and the people’ unit in mind, but it could be used for a range of similar units, or for non-examination content at key stage 3.
Students colour-code examples from the Middle Ages to the 19th century according to AQA's seven factors for the growth of empires:
- War
- Religion
- Government
- Economic resources
- Science and technology
- Ideas
- The role of key individuals.
They then plan their response to the following exam-style question:
‘The work of key individuals was the main factor behind the expansion of empires.’ To what extent do you agree?
They finish by writing a conclusion for the essay that they have planned.
This resource is part of a mini scheme of work on the Teachit site. The other resources are as follows:
- A teacher’s overview of how this unit might be taught thematically (38-lesson plan)
- Empire and migration overview: Gaining an empire
- Empire and migration: Forging English and British identities
- Empire and migration overview: Migration
- Empire and migration overview: Exam-style question walk-through.
An extract from the colour-coding activity:
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The Battle of Plassey (1757) allowed the East India Company to take full control of much of India. |
Vikings raided England and Ireland to plunder the rich monasteries.
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The Maxim gun was a key weapon used by the British to win many victories during the Scramble for Africa. |
