The British Empire: Expansion and Decline

The video explores the rise and fall of the British Empire, starting with the establishment of penal colonies in Australia and New Zealand. It covers the Napoleonic Wars, the era of Pax Britannica, and the Opium Wars with China. The narrative continues with the Great Game against Russia, the Irish Potato Famine, and the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The video also discusses British imperial expansion in Africa, the impact of the World Wars, and the process of decolonization, concluding with the legacy of the British Empire.

What was the primary reason for Britain establishing a penal colony in Australia?

• To establish a military base

• To relieve overcrowded prisons

• To find new resources

• To expand trade routes

What was the main outcome of the Opium Wars for Britain?

• Ending the opium trade

• Establishing a military base in China

• Gaining control over Hong Kong

• Loss of trade with China

What was a significant cause of the Indian Rebellion of 1857?

• High taxes on Indian textiles

• Lack of British military support

• Introduction of new British laws

• Religious insensitivity by the British

Which technological advancement was crucial for British colonial dominance during the Industrial Revolution?

• The steam engine

• The automobile

• The telephone

• The printing press

What was the purpose of the Berlin Conference?

• To establish trade routes in Asia

• To divide Africa among European powers

• To end the Opium Wars

• To negotiate peace in Europe

What was a common belief about the British Empire among its supporters?

• It was an oppressive force

• It was a civilizing influence

• It was a temporary arrangement

• It was economically detrimental

What was a major factor in the decline of the British Empire after World War II?

• Rising anti-imperialist sentiment

• Economic prosperity

• Technological stagnation

• Increased colonial support

Which two leaders were prominent in the Indian independence movement?

• Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose

• Mohandas Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah

• Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi

• Sardar Patel and Bhagat Singh

What was the outcome of the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya?

• Kenya gained independence

• The British expanded their territory

• Kenya remained a British colony

• The uprising was completely suppressed

What marked the official end of the British Empire?

• The independence of India

• The end of World War II

• The handover of Hong Kong

• The Berlin Conference