Part 3: Imperialism challenged, 1914–1947 (Introduction)

Expansion and contraction of empire

L1: Mapping of change over time; imagery, experience and key features

Task 1: Compare and contrast the maps of formal empire 1914 v 1919
In the summer of 1914 war broke out in Europe. After four years of fighting, an Armistice was signed in
November of 1918 and in 1919 peace treaties were concluded. Despite John McAleer’s argument that
the Seven Years War (1756-1763) was the first global war, the war of 1914-1918 would come to be
remembered as the First World War.

(i) What made the war of 1914 a World War rather than a European War?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxpS3xyt_fU

(ii) At first sight, do the maps indicate change or continuity in terms of Britain’s Empire between
1914 and 1918?

(iii) On closer inspection, to the extent that change can be identified and purely in terms of area
of territory formally recognised as being part of the empire, had Britain’s empire expanded or
contracted between 1914 and 1919?

(iv) From a contemporary perspective (i.e. without the benefit of hindsight), what might
supporters of empire have perceived as the benefits of imperial expansion?

(v) What might critics of empire have argued were the problems presented by imperial
expansion?

(vi) Looking again at the maps and thinking back to your Y12 knowledge and understanding of
the Britain’s involvement in Egypt, how and why might the strategic or economic significance
of British interests in this region have been changing as a consequence of the First World War
and its outcome?

(vii)

Use the BBC timeline and clips to help contextualise the following examples of Empire at war within the
bigger picture of the First World War as a whole:

- The war in Africa;

- The Indian Army joining the war; and
- The Gallipoli campaign

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/world-war-one-the-global-conflict-that-defined-a-century/zdk9y9q
White-settler colonies or ‘Dominions’, 1867-1919
Key: Canada Ireland South Africa New Zealand Australia
Key terms shown in bold and in italics
Year Event/Headline Comment or Question
1867 Canada becomes a Dominion What was a Dominion?
1872
1902
1907
1910
1911
1912
1914
1915 Gallipoli Why do the Australians care about
Gallipoli?
1916
1917 Vimy Ridge Why do the Canadians
care about Vimy Ridge?
1919 Irish war for independence begins

Watch the following clips to try and understand the way that the experience of war changed the relationship
between Britain and her Dominions:

1. Gallipoli and the ANZACS (1915):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/world-war-one-the-global-conflict-that-defined-a-century/zdk9y9q
[scroll down to find the clip on the Gallipoli campaign that is embedded in the BBC timeline]

2. Vimy Ridge and the Canadians (1917):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMJ_yjchLrc

Briefly explain how and why Gallipoli and Vimy Ridge contributed towards the emergence of national
consciousness and national identity in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Two key terms for the glossary:

 Nationalism
 self-determination (cf. Wilson’s 14 Points, 1918)