News Flash English :: The British Empire

URL: http://www.newsflashenglish.com/240708britishempire2.html

Download FREE English lesson:

The British Empire – where the sun never set

Ideas and Articles by David Robinson

24^th July 2008

Category: Education / History / British Empire

Level: Intermediate / Upper intermediate / Advanced

This lesson is the copyright of www.newsflashenglish.com

The British Empire – where the sun never set

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. It was a product of the European age of discovery that began with the maritime explorations in the 16th century, which sparked the era of the European colonial empires. The America’s colonisation forming part of the first era of the British Empire.

Trade by British companies largely drove its expansion. The East India Company in 1600 established outposts in parts of India. This led to expansion in the Far East including Penang and Singapore. The Hudson Bay Company led the way in Eastern Canada. The first permanent presence in Africa was at James Island on the Gambia River. Later the British landed at the Cape of Good Hope, going on to conquer what became South Africa. The Slave Trade in West Africa and the Caribbean flourished. Britain lost America but then went on to acquire New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and other islands in the pacific. The British extended their influence in the sheikdoms of southern Arabia and the Persian Gulf including Aden. Malta, Cyprus and Gibraltar became key links through the Mediterranean in the line of communication to India - making use of the newly French built Suez Canal.

The British Empires second era and the one that is most associated with it was in the 19th century. During the Victorian period was when it was at its height. Africa became the forefront of its expansion – Egypt, Sudan and Nigeria. The British East African Company extended its influence in Uganda and Kenya. The British South African Company in Rhodesia, Zambia and Malawi. In 1910 an enthusiastic British public had the vision of an empire that extended from the Cape to Cairo. By 1921 the British Empire ruled over a population of 458m people, approximately one quarter of the world’s population. It covered 36.7m km, about a quarter of the earth’s total land area. This included India, Australia, Canada, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Burma and Malaya to name a few.

The British Empires legacy is widespread across the globe. This can be seen in legal and governmental systems, economic practice, the military, educational systems, sports and in the global spread of English. Another success of the Empire is the infrastructure. Roads and in particular railways were built that still survive largely intact today. Many people still thank the British for building them. The British Empire was largely run by governors appointed by London. As it expanded in the 19th century its administration and policy was tightened. The colonies later obtained such complete control of their status that in 1907 they were given the new status of dominions, which following World War 1 led to a more formal status of these dominions. This allowed them to join the League of Nations which recognised them as independent states equal to Britain. In 1931 the Statute of Westminster recognised them as independent countries ‘within the British Empire, equal in status’ to the United Kingdom.

Following World War 2 nationalism prevailed in many countries. Most of the territories of the British Empire were hence granted independence - beginning with India in 1947 followed by Ceylon and Burma in 1948. The Gold Coast (Ghana) was the first African country to become independent. The British public no longer actively imperial in its sentiments accepted the idea of independence as a foregone conclusion. Many newly independent countries joined The Commonwealth of Nations, a free association of independent states. Today it survives as a flexible and durable institution. Queen Elizabeth II remains as head of The Commonwealth. The last significant British colony, Hong Kong, was returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Today virtually nothing remains of the British Empire. America rules the world. As for the future – China is already venturing into Africa where the British and other European countries once ruled! Is history about to be repeated?

START

1. BRITISH EMPIRE: What do you know about the British Empire? Go round the room swapping stories. Change partners often.

2. DICTATION: The teacher will read some of the article slowly and clearly. Students will write down what they hear. The teacher will repeat the passage slowly again. Self correct your work from page 2 - filling in spaces and correcting mistakes. Be honest with yourself on the number of errors. Advise the teacher of your total number of errors. Less than 5 is very good. 10 are acceptable. Any more is room for improvement! More than 20 - we need to do some work!

3. READING: Get students to read the passage aloud. Swap readers every paragraph.

4. VOCABULARY: Students look through the article. Underline/highlight any vocabulary you do not know. Look in dictionaries. Discuss and help each other out. The teacher will go through and explain any words or phrases you do not understand.

5. 10 COUNTRIES IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE: Think of 10 countries that were in the British Empire. What was the biggest country? What was the smallest country? In which region of the world was each one e.g. Asia / Africa etc… To help you, draw a map of the world on the board to show your results.

1	6
2	7
3	8
4	9
5	10

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

6. QUICK DEBATE: Students A think the British Empire was a good thing. Explain why. Students B think it was wrong. Explain why.

7. LIVING IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE: You have just been sent to a country of your choice in the British Empire. Pick a time period. Discuss with your partner the 10 points listed below about everyday living. Add two of your own. How did you travel? Was the journey ok? Etc…How do you find living in your new country?

Your British Empire country ____________	Time period ____________
1	7
2	8
3	9
4	10
5	11
6	12

8. ARTICLE QUIZ: With your partner or in small groups: (1 point for each correct answer. Lose ½ point if you look at the article for help!)

Student A

Name 3 African countries that were in the British Empire.
What does the phrase ‘where the sun never sets’ mean?
What was the first African country the British landed at?
What drove the British Empires expansion?
Why were Malta and Cyprus part of the Empire?
When was the second era of the British empire?
Name three British trading companies.

Student B

What did the French build?
Who is now venturing into Africa?
What happened following World War 2?
Name three legacies of Empire.
What happened in 1907?
What do some people still thank the British for?
What happened during the first era of the British Empire?

9. ACTING: A TYPICAL DAY IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE:

In pairs: Pick one of the countries that were in the British Empire.

Your British Empire country: ____________ Time period: ____________
e.g. 1900 / 1st era / 2nd era of the British Empire.

The idea of this is for you to compare the lifestyles (everyday living) of then and now.

Decide who you want to be – for example: a governor, a soldier, a servant, master or wife of the master of the house etc… You could use a stiff British upper class accent! It is another typical day for you in the Empire where the sun never sets. You and your partner are sitting somewhere (decide) having a drink discussing your week. You could be drinking a stiff gin and tonic or even a Singapore Sling! You might like to include the following in your acting scene:

1 Moving from another Empire country	5 A visit from a relative back home in blighty
2 The weather	6 A telegram
3 Going up the jungle for some sport	7 The washing and cleaning
4 Shopping	8 The horse & carriage

Act out a short scene together. (5 mins prep – 5 mins acting)
The teacher may get some students to act out their scenes.

10. PROS & CONS OF EMPIRE: Think of 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of the British Empire. Discuss them briefly with your partner.

1	4
2	5
3	6

11. BRITISH EMPIRE: Swap partners. With your new partner on the board write as many words to do with ‘British Empire’ as you can. One-two minutes. Compare with other teams. Using your words compile a short dialogue together.

12. SENTENCES: Choose six/nine of the words from no 11. Write two/three sentences using two/three words in each. Underline your chosen words. The teacher will if necessary correct your work. Students might be asked to read their sentences aloud.

13. COMPARISON: Look at the article again. Compare with your partner some of the countries mentioned who were in the British Empire with their equivalent countries today. How have things changed? How do they compare? List your findings.

Differences	Similarities
1	4
2	5
3	6

14. TRADE: Think of 4 goods or commodities that were traded across the British Empire. Are they still traded today? Why? Discuss with your partner.

1	3
2	4

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

15. THE BRITISH EMPIRE: Discuss the following with your partner:

Student A

What economic benefits did the British Empire bring to Britain?
How did people migrate to parts of the British Empire?
Should we regard the British Empire positively or negatively?
Do you think migrating to an Empire country brought individuals opportunities in life?

Student B

Do you think migration was voluntary or forced?
How do you think the locals were treated by the British?
Why did the British conquer so many countries?
Can you think of any wars or uprisings that took place against the British during their Empire rule?

16. OTHER EMPIRES: Think of 3 other Empires. Discuss them briefly with your partner. Which one was the biggest? In what period of history were they?

17. OTHER EUROPEAN COLONIES: Think of 4 other countries that had colonies. What nations did they colonise? Who was the most successful?

Country	Countries they colonised
1	1
2	2
3	3
4	4

The British Empire in 1921 A 1913 map of Africa

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: After reading the article guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F):

a.	The British Empire was the largest empire in the world	T / F
b.	The sun never set on the British Empire	T / F
c.	Its power and influence stretched all over the world	T / F
d.	The British Empire began with maritime explorations in the 15th century	T / F
e.	The British were the first settlers in America	T / F
f.	Malta, Cyprus and Cyrus were supply links in the Mediterranean	T / F
g.	The British built the Suez canal	T / F
h.	The British Empire was at its height during the Victorian period	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

a.	Peak	Prosperous
b.	Largest	Settlement
c.	Span	Consequence
d.	Colony	Authority
e.	Product	Reach
f.	Expansion	Chain
g.	Outpost	Biggest
h.	Link	Height
i.	Flourish	Dominion
j.	Influence	Enlargement

3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article:

a.	At its peak the British Empire was the	established outposts in parts of India
b.	The sun never sets	of the European age of discovery
c.	its span across the globe ensured	largely drove its expansion
d.	Its power and influence	largest empire the world had ever known
e.	For better or worse it had a massive	of the first era of the British Empire
f.	It was a product	including Penang and Singapore
g.	The America’s colonisation forming part	stretched all over the world
h.	Trade by companies	that the sun was shining on…
i.	The East India Company in 1600	impact on the history of the world
j.	This led to expansion in the Far East	on the British Empire

GAP FILL: READING

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

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 _______ 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. It was a product of the European age of _________ that began with the ________ explorations in the 16th century, which sparked the era of the European ________ empires. The America’s ____________ forming part of the first era of the British Empire. _____ by British companies largely drove its expansion. The East India Company in 1600 established outposts in parts of India. This led to expansion in the Far East including Penang and Singapore. The Hudson Bay Company led the way in Eastern Canada. The first _________ presence in Africa was at James Island on the Gambia River. Later the British landed at the Cape of Good Hope, going on to _______ what became South Africa.		permanent colonial colonisation trade colonies discovery conquer maritime
The Slave Trade in West Africa and the Caribbean flourished. Britain lost America but then went on to acquire New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and other islands in the pacific. The British extended their influence in the ______ of southern Arabia and the Persian Gulf including Aden. Malta, Cyprus and Gibraltar became key links through the Mediterranean in the line of communication to India - making use of the newly French built Suez Canal. The British Empires second ___ and the one that is most associated with it was in the 19th century. During the Victorian period was when it was at its height. Africa became the _________ of its _________ – Egypt, Sudan and Nigeria. The British East African Company extended its _________ in Uganda and Kenya. The British South African Company in Rhodesia, Zambia and Malawi. In 1910 an ________ British public had the _____ of an empire that extended from the Cape to Cairo. By 1921 the British _____ ruled over a population of 458m people, approximately one quarter of the world’s population.		forefront expansion era influence empire sheikdoms vision enthusiastic

GAP FILL: LISTENING:

Listen and fill in the spaces.

At its peak the British Empire was the largest empire the world had ever known. It was said ‘__________________ 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 ___________________ stretched all over the globe for several centuries. For better or worse it had a massive impact on the ____________________. It was a product of the European age of discovery that began with the maritime explorations in the 16th century, which sparked the era of the European colonial empires. The America’s colonisation forming part of the first era _____________________.

Trade by British companies largely drove its expansion. The East India Company in 1600 established outposts in parts of India. This led to expansion in the Far East including _______________. The Hudson Bay Company led the way in Eastern Canada. The first permanent presence in Africa was at James Island on the Gambia River. Later the British landed at the Cape of Good Hope, going on to conquer ____________________. The Slave Trade in West Africa and the Caribbean flourished. Britain lost America but then went on to acquire New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and other islands in the pacific. The British extended their influence _____________ southern Arabia and the Persian Gulf including Aden. Malta, Cyprus and Gibraltar became key links through the Mediterranean in the line of communication to India - _______________newly French built Suez Canal.

The British Empires _________________ one that is most associated with it was in the 19th century. ________________ period was when it was at its height. Africa became the forefront of its expansion – Egypt, Sudan and Nigeria. The British East African Company extended its influence in Uganda and Kenya. The British South African Company in Rhodesia, Zambia and Malawi. In 1910 an _________________public had the vision of an empire that extended from the Cape to Cairo. By 1921 the British Empire ruled over a population of 458m people, approximately one quarter of the world’s population. It covered 36.7m km, _______________ the earth’s total land area.

DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS(Do not show these to student B)

Did the headline make you want to read the article?
Do you think peoples lives were better then or now in countries of the former British Empire?
Have you ever been to any of the countries mentioned in the article?
Why have many African countries failed since the end of the British Empire?
Which countries have been the most successful since their independence?
Which former British Empire countries in particular haven’t prospered, have got dictators and their people silenced?
What advantages were there for the British of having an Empire?
If you had the choice of living in a former British Empire country which one would you live in and why?
What do you think the natives thought of the British during Empire?
Is China the new colonial power in Africa?

---------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS(Do not show these to student A)

What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of the British Empire?
Would you have liked to live in the British Empire?
Do you think travelling was easier then than now?
What might you have done in the evenings 100 years ago in Empire land?
How do you think the British spent their summers in India during the days of the British Empire?
What sort of sports might have taken place by the British in British India, Burma, and parts of Africa?
Why was the British Empire so successful for so long?
Why do you think the British Empire crumbled?
Did you like this discussion?

SPEAKING

BRITISH EMPIRE:

In pairs or small groups: Discuss what living in the following countries might have been like during the height of the British Empire.

Country / Region	Findings
1) India
2) Malaya / Burma
3) Southern Africa
4) USA
5) West Africa
6) Australia
7) Hong Kong

The teacher may select some groups to present their findings to the rest of the class.

LANGUAGE:

CORRECT WORD:
Choose the correct words from a-d below and write them in the article.

At its (1)__ the British Empire was the (2)__ empire the world had ever known. It was said ‘the (3)__ never sets on the British Empire’ because its (4)__ across the globe ensured that the sun was (5)__ shining on at least one of its (6)__ colonies or subject nations. Its power and influence stretched all over the globe for several centuries. For better or worse it had a (7)__ impact on the history of the world. It was a product of the European age of discovery that began with the maritime explorations in the 16th century, which sparked the era of the European colonial empires. The America’s colonisation forming part of the first era of the British Empire. Trade by British companies largely drove its expansion. The East India Company in 1600 established (8)__ in parts of India. This led to expansion in the Far East including Penang and Singapore. The Hudson Bay Company led the way in Eastern Canada.

The first permanent presence in Africa was at James Island on the Gambia River. Later the British landed at the Cape of Good Hope, going on to conquer (9)__ became South Africa. The Slave Trade in West Africa and the Caribbean flourished. Britain lost America but then went on to acquire New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and other islands in the pacific. The British extended their influence in the sheikdoms of southern Arabia and the Persian Gulf including Aden. Malta, Cyprus and Gibraltar became (10)__ links through the Mediterranean in the line of communication to India - making use of the newly French built Suez Canal. The British Empires second era and the one that is (11)__ associated with it was in the 19th century. During the Victorian period was (12)__ it was at its height. Africa became the forefront of its expansion – Egypt, Sudan and Nigeria. The British East African Company extended its influence in Uganda and Kenya. The British South African Company in Rhodesia, Zambia and Malawi. In 1910 an enthusiastic British public had the vision of an empire that extended from the Cape to Cairo.

1.	(a)	peaky	(b)	peak	(c)	pea	(d)	peek
2.	(a)	smallest	(b)	grandest	(c)	largest	(d)	greatest
3.	(a)	light	(b)	stars	(c)	moon	(d)	sun
4.	(a)	span	(b)	spanning	(c)	spam	(d)	spanned
5.	(a)	all	(b)	ways	(c)	still	(d)	always
6.	(a)	numeral	(b)	numb	(c)	numerous	(d)	number
7.	(a)	massive	(b)	small	(c)	medium	(d)	large
8.	(a)	outposts	(b)	outsourcing	(c)	outlook	(d)	outside
9.	(a)	why	(b)	whose	(c)	when	(d)	what
10.	(a)	hey	(b)	key	(c)	see	(d)	lock
11.	(a)	many	(b)	boast	(c)	most	(d)	toast
12.	(a)	why	(b)	when	(c)	who	(d)	where

GRAMMAR 1: MIDWAY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

At its peak the British Empire was the largest empire the world had (1)__ known. It was said ‘the sun never sets on the British Empire’ (2)__ its span across the globe ensured (3)__ 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. (4)__ better or worse it had a massive impact on the history of the world. It was a product of the European age of discovery that began (5)__ the maritime explorations in the 16th century, (6)__ sparked the era of the European colonial empires. The America’s colonisation forming part of the first era of the British Empire. Trade by British companies largely drove its expansion. The East India Company in 1600 established outposts in parts of India. (7)__ led to expansion in the Far East including Penang and Singapore. The Hudson Bay Company led the way in Eastern Canada. The first permanent presence in Africa was at James Island on the Gambia River. Later the British landed at the Cape of Good Hope, going on to conquer (8)__ became South Africa. The Slave Trade in West Africa and the Caribbean flourished.		what with that which because for this ever
Britain lost America but (1)__ went on to acquire New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and (2)__ islands in the pacific. The British extended (3)__ influence in the sheikdoms of southern Arabia and the Persian Gulf including Aden. Malta, Cyprus and Gibraltar became key links (4)__ the Mediterranean in the line of communication to India - making use of the newly French built Suez Canal. The British Empires second era and the one that is (5)__ associated with it was in the 19th century. During the Victorian period was (6)__ it was at its height. Africa became the forefront of its expansion – Egypt, Sudan and Nigeria. The British East African Company extended its influence in Uganda and Kenya. The British South African Company in Rhodesia, Zambia and Malawi. In 1910 an enthusiastic British public had the vision of an empire (7)__ extended (8)__ the Cape to Cairo. By 1921 the British Empire ruled over a population of 458m people, approximately one quarter of the world’s population.		most other through from when that their then

GRAMMAR 2: EASY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

At its peak the British Empire was the largest empire the world had ever known. It was said ‘the sun never sets (1)__ the British Empire’ because (2)__ span across the globe ensured that the sun was always shining on at least one of its numerous colonies or subject nations. Its power (3)__ influence stretched all over the globe for several centuries. For better or worse it had a massive impact on the history of the world. It was a product of the European age of discovery that began with (4)__ maritime explorations in the 16th century, which sparked the era (5)__ the European colonial empires. The America’s colonisation forming part of the first era of the British Empire. Trade (6)__ British companies largely drove its expansion. The East India Company in 1600 established outposts in parts of India. This led to expansion in the Far East including Penang and Singapore. The Hudson Bay Company led the way in Eastern Canada. The first permanent presence in Africa was (7)__ James Island on the Gambia River. Later the British landed at the Cape of Good Hope, going on to conquer what became South Africa. The Slave Trade (8)__ West Africa and the Caribbean flourished.		in its the of and on at by
Britain lost America (1)__ then went on to acquire New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and other islands in the pacific. The British extended their influence in the sheikdoms of southern Arabia and the Persian Gulf including Aden. Malta, Cyprus and Gibraltar became key links through the Mediterranean in the line of communication to India - making use of the newly French built Suez Canal. The British Empires second era (2)__ the one that is most associated with (3)__ was in the 19th century. During the Victorian period was when it was at its height. Africa became the forefront of its expansion – Egypt, Sudan and Nigeria. The British East African Company extended (4)__ influence (5)__ Uganda and Kenya. The British South African Company in Rhodesia, Zambia and Malawi. In 1910 (6)__ enthusiastic British public had the vision of an empire that extended from the Cape to Cairo. (7)__ 1921 the British Empire ruled over a population of 458m people, approximately one quarter (8)__ the world’s population.		an it by of its but in and

HOMEWORK

1. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Write an article on "The British Empire" (Minimum 200 words)

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Which article was best and why?

WRITING: IN CLASS:

1. FIVE MINUTE ARTICLE: Write an article on "The British Empire" You have five minutes. Afterwards swap articles with your partner. Read through their article and correct any mistakes. The teacher will select some students to read out their work.

Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, "You have xx minutes."

SPELLING TEST

The teacher will ask the class individually to spell the following words that are in the article:

1 numerous	11 hence
2 presence	12 prevailed
3 communication	13 dominions
4 associated	14 intact
5 expansion	15 influence
6 widespread	16 colonial
7 nationalism	17 colonisation
8 durable	18 sheikdoms
9 foregone	19 enthusiastic
10 flexible	20 infrastructure

ANSWERS: 1

TRUE / FALSE:

a. T

b. T

c. T

d. F

e. F

f. T

g. F

h. T

SYNONYM MATCH:

a.	Peak	Height
b.	Largest	Biggest
c.	Span	Reach
d.	Colony	Dominion
e.	Product	Consequence
f.	Expansion	Enlargement
g.	Outpost	Settlement
h.	Link	Chain
i.	Flourish	Prosperous
j.	Influence	Authority

PHRASE MATCH:

a.	At its peak the British Empire was the	largest empire the world had ever known
b.	The sun never sets	on the British Empire
c.	its span across the globe ensured	that the sun was shining on…
d.	Its power and influence	stretched all over the world
e.	For better or worse it had a massive	impact on the history of the world
f.	It was a product	of the European age of discovery
g.	The America’s colonisation forming part	of the first era of the British Empire
h.	Trade by companies	largely drove its expansion
i.	The East India Company in 1600	established outposts in parts of India
j.	This led to expansion in the Far East	including Penang and Singapore

ANSWERS: 2

GAP FILL: 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. It was a product of the European age of discovery that began with the maritime explorations in the 16th century, which sparked the era of the European colonial empires. The America’s colonisation forming part of the first era of the British Empire. Trade by British companies largely drove its expansion. The East India Company in 1600 established outposts in parts of India. This led to expansion in the Far East including Penang and Singapore. The Hudson Bay Company led the way in Eastern Canada. The first permanent presence in Africa was at James Island on the Gambia River. Later the British landed at the Cape of Good Hope, going on to conquer what became South Africa. The Slave Trade in West Africa and the Caribbean flourished. Britain lost America but then went on to acquire New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and other islands in the pacific. The British extended their influence in the sheikdoms of southern Arabia and the Persian Gulf including Aden. Malta, Cyprus and Gibraltar became key links through the Mediterranean in the line of communication to India - making use of the newly French built Suez Canal. The British Empires second era and the one that is most associated with it was in the 19th century. During the Victorian period was when it was at its height. Africa became the forefront of its expansion – Egypt, Sudan and Nigeria. The British East African Company extended its influence in Uganda and Kenya. The British South African Company in Rhodesia, Zambia and Malawi. In 1910 an enthusiastic British public had the vision of an empire that extended from the Cape to Cairo. By 1921 the British Empire ruled over a population of 458m people, approximately one quarter of the world’s population.

LANGUAGE WORK

1 - b

2 - c

3 - d

4 - a

5 - d

6 - c

7 - a

8 - a

9 - d

10 - b

11 - c

12 - b