What Was the British Empire? | Explained | Newsround

Summary

In this insightful discussion, author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera reflects on the impact of the British Empire, highlighting how its complex legacy shapes modern Britain. He shares his personal journey of discovering this history later in life, emphasizing the importance of teaching both the positive and negative aspects of the Empire. Sanghera argues for a deeper understanding of multiculturalism, the global influence of British trade, and the mixed legacies of the Empire. He also delves into the fascinating story of nutmeg, a seemingly trivial spice that played a pivotal role in the British colonial era.

Takeaways

• 😀 The British Empire spanned nearly 400 years, covering a quarter of the Earth's surface and ruling over 400 million people.
• 😀 The British Empire controlled various countries, including Jamaica, modern-day Ghana, and British India (which included Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar).
• 😀 Sathnam Sanghera, an author and journalist, was inspired to write about the British Empire because he didn't learn much about it until his mid-40s.
• 😀 The book highlights the importance of teaching about the British Empire, as it helps explain modern Britain's multicultural society.
• 😀 The British Empire's legacy is often tied to both racism and multiculturalism, which can help address modern racial issues if understood.
• 😀 Sathnam believes teaching about the British Empire should be compulsory in schools, as it is a major part of British history.
• 😀 Key elements of British life, like tea, sugar, cocoa, and the wealth of Britain, were shaped by the British Empire's exploitation and trade.
• 😀 Museums across the UK house artifacts from the Empire, which reflect the lasting influence of British colonialism.
• 😀 Politicians have differing views on how the British Empire should be taught, with some emphasizing the positives and others focusing on the negatives. Sathnam advocates for teaching both sides of the Empire's history.
• 😀 The British Empire's complicated history includes both positive and negative impacts, such as the abolition of slavery and its involvement in the slave trade.
• 😀 The chapter on nutmeg in Sanghera's book is significant because it illustrates how a small, valuable commodity led to British imperial expansion, highlighting the empire's sometimes irrational causes.

Q & A

What was the British Empire, and how long did it last?

The British Empire was a colonial empire that existed for nearly 400 years. At its peak, it covered a quarter of the Earth's surface and ruled over 400 million people.

What countries were controlled by the British Empire?

The British Empire controlled various countries, including Jamaica, modern-day Ghana, and British India, which included Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

What is the significance of Sathnam Sanghera's background in relation to the British Empire?

Sathnam Sanghera's parents were from Punjab, which was once ruled by the British, making his personal history intertwined with the legacy of the British Empire.

Why did Sathnam Sanghera write his book about the British Empire?

Sanghera wrote the book because he didn't know about the history of the British Empire until he was in his mid-40s, and he believes understanding this history can reduce racism and improve multicultural awareness.

How does understanding the British Empire help in understanding modern Britain?

Understanding the British Empire helps explain why Britain is a multicultural country today, as the Empire brought people from different backgrounds to Britain. It also helps understand Britain's historical wealth and cultural influences.

What elements of British culture today were shaped by the British Empire?

Elements like tea, sugar, and cocoa, which were cultivated in the Empire, as well as the country's wealth, racism, and multiculturalism, have all been shaped by the British Empire.

What is the significance of museums in relation to the British Empire?

Many of Britain's museums have artifacts from the Empire, which reflect the cultural and historical impact of the Empire on the country.

What was the debate regarding teaching the British Empire in schools?

The debate revolved around whether to teach only the positive aspects of the Empire, only the negative aspects, or both. Sathnam Sanghera believes both aspects should be taught as the Empire was a complex historical phenomenon.

What opposing forces existed within the British Empire, according to Sanghera?

Sanghera points out that the British Empire involved both negative and positive aspects, such as slavery and its abolition, and the Empire helped create Britain's diversity but also contributed to racism.

What is the role of politicians in the teaching of British history?

Sanghera believes politicians should leave the teaching of history to historians, as history is a complex subject that should not be influenced by political agendas.

Why does Sathnam Sanghera highlight nutmeg in his book?

Sanghera uses nutmeg as an example to show how small things, like a spice once considered valuable, played a key role in the history of the British Empire, leading to conflicts like the war over the tiny island that produced nutmeg.