An Overview of The British Empire

The term empire refers to a group of countries that are ruled by a single monarch or power. In the sixteenth century, Britain began to establish colonies overseas and by 1783, Britain had a large empire with colonies in America and the West Indies. In this scene students can explore the world map and learn about how the British Empire began, expanded and ended.

# Learning objectives

1: Define the term Empire{.info}

2: Explain how the British Empire expanded between the year of 1463 and 1924{.info}

3: Explain why the British Empire came to an end{.info}

# The British Empire 1497-1763{.objective .objective1}

Students can learn about British seamen who began to travel and trade all over the world. Here students are asked to identify each location that were ruled by a single monarch and consider why the British may have wanted an empire.

# The British Empire 1763-1783{.objective .objective2}

Here students are able to view how the British empire expanded across to the American and learn why the American war of Independence affected the British Empire.

# The British Empire 1783-1924{.objective .objective3}

Viewing a map of the British Empire, students can learn about how the first world war effected the empire and discuss why the British empire came to an end.