A-level History₇₀₄₂

This option allows students to study in breadth issues of change, continuity, cause and consequence in this period through the following key questions:

• Why did the British Empire grow and contract?
• What influenced imperial policy?
• What part did economic factors play in the development of the British Empire?
• How did the Empire influence British attitudes and culture?
• How did the indigenous peoples respond to British rule?
• How important was the role of key individuals and groups and how were they affected by developments?

Part one: the High Water Mark of the British Empire, c1857–1914

The development of Imperialism, c1857–c1890

• The expansion of the British Empire in Africa; the Suez Canal and Egypt
• Imperial and colonial policy; India’s administration and defence; international relations, colonial policy and the scramble for Africa; informal empire
• Trade and commerce; the chartered companies
• The role and influence on attitudes to empire of explorers, missionaries, traders, colonial administrators
• Attitudes towards imperialism in Britain; the development of party political conflicts
• Relations with indigenous peoples; the Indian Mutiny and its impact; relations with Boers and Bantu peoples in southern Africa

Imperial consolidation and Liberal rule, c1890–1914

• The consolidation and expansion of the British Empire in Africa
• Imperial and colonial policy; the administration of India and Egypt; ‘native policy’; international relations and colonial policy
• Trade and commerce
• The role and influence on attitudes to empire of: Joseph Chamberlain; Cecil Rhodes; colonial administration
• Imperialism: supporters and critics; National Efficiency; the British Empire and popular culture; representations of empire
• Relations with indigenous peoples; challenges to British rule; the Sudan; the causes and consequences of the Boer War

Part two: Imperial retreat, 1914–1967 (A-level only)

Imperialism challenged, 1914–1947 (A-level only)

• Expansion and contraction of empire: the impact of the First and Second World Wars; the Mandates; withdrawal from India and the Middle East
• Colonial policy and administration in India, Africa and the Middle East; relations with the Dominions; the Statute of Westminster; imperial defence
• The development of trade and commerce; the economic impact of war
• The role and influence on attitudes to empire of: Gandhi, colonial administration
• Imperialist ideals; popular culture; representations of empire
• Relations with indigenous peoples; protest and conflict; colonial identity; the development of nationalist movements

The winds of change, 1947–1967 (A-level only)

• Decolonisation in Africa and Asia
• British colonial policy and administration; the Suez Crisis and its impact; international relations; the Commonwealth
• Trade and commerce; post-war reconstruction
• The role and influence on attitudes to empire of: nationalist leaders, colonial administration
• Post-colonial political, economic and cultural ties; migration; the residual impact of empire; popular culture
• Relations with indigenous peoples; challenges to colonial rule in Africa and Asia; Mau Mau; the growth of nationalist movements and reactions to them; Rhodesia