Give a vivid picture of life in the East End of London between the wars but they also reflect the conditions in the slums of most large towns at this time.
This world was unchanged from Victorian times and wasn’t swept away until the clearances and re housing after the war. Much of this housing was bombed during the blitz so making the necessary changes inevitable.
KEY STAGE 3 HISTORY Scheme of work Year 8/9 Unit 14:
The British Empire how was it that, by 1900, Britain controlled nearly a quarter of the world?
Section 5:
How did British people celebrate Empire Day?
This activity needs to be firmly located in 1900, to aid understanding of the historical context for certain attitudes and values.
The photograph of children celebrating Empire Day and the quote by George Thurgar show how it was celebrated by children in the East End.
The section on work has quote from Caroline Wheeler showing the importance of the London docks in the expending Empire.
Objectives Children should learn:
that British people celebrated Empire Day
about how and why the British Empire expanded
to consider the significance of factors leading to the creation of the British Empire
Activities
Tell pupils that for many years British people celebrated Empire Day on 24th May.
Use a range of sources to illustrate that towns and villages, churches and other organisations all put on shows, plays, entertainments, exhibitions, etc to celebrate the British Empire.
Give pupils, in groups, one theme from 'trade', 'exploration' and 'war'. Ask them to make a presentation to the rest of the class to explain what part their theme played in the growth of the British Empire. The presentations could be in drama, tableaux, series of interviews, etc, as it might have been presented/celebrated by pupils in 1900.
Pupils research, prepare and make presentations.
Lead a discussion to summarise the significance of the different themes. This could be enhanced through the use of explanation cards which pupils have to include or exclude.
Outcomes
Children:
Demonstrate understanding of attitudes to Empire in 1900 through preparing an Empire Day presentation.
Explain the ways in which the British government gained control of nearly one quarter of the world before 1900.
Identify and explain significant factors in the expansion of the British Empire.
