79 British Empire Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best british empire topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 simple & easy british empire essay titles, 👍 good essay topics on british empire, ❓ british empire essay questions.

  • History of British Empire Well, as exposited in this paper, the Second World War, anti-colonial movements, the United States, the United Nations declaration, the Cold War and the USSR were the main forces behind the decolonization while the end […]
  • British Empire and Imperial Culture The British Empire was the largest in the entire world and its power and influence were universally felt. The desire to gain more power and become the most powerful nation in the world led to […]
  • Internal Colonization and Slavery in British Empire The act of alienating Ireland in the development process brought the distinction in the collaboration. Slave trade contributed to the growth of the economy of the British Empire via the production of the raw materials […]
  • Rising to Prominence: The History of the British Empire The British Empire was the strongest empire between the 16th and the 20th centuries. The British Empire was the biggest empire at its peak, between the end of the 16th century and the 18th century.
  • British Empire in India and the Far East Cody traces the emergence of British imperialism to the East to its mercantile trade decline in the late 19th century when the abolition of slavery and the labialisation of trade that greatly diminished its wealth.
  • The British Empire and International Affairs Even though, Britain lost most of its colonies during the American Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, its economic policies rose above the United States as well as other European powers in the international affairs. This […]
  • British Empire Adventure Fiction – Cosmopolitanism/Citizenship The Boys’ Literature and the Idea of Empire, 1870- 1914, one of the adventures literatures tried to argue that; boys as the role model of Britons “are you proud to be a Briton?”. Overtime, the […]
  • “Slavery and the British Empire: From Africa to America” by Morgan Kenneth Slavery has for a very long time attracted the attention of many history scholars.”Morgan Kenneth, in his book Slavery and the British Empire gives a deep in site of how the British came to embrace […]
  • Trade and Commerce in the Development of the British Empire
  • Colonial Revenue Extraction and Modern Day Government Quality in the British Empire
  • British Empire Industrial Revolution
  • Prime Minister Robert Borden and Canada’s Role in the British Empire
  • Symbiosis: Trade and the British Empire
  • Historical Development of Education in the British Empire
  • Financial System of the British Empire Fail in the Face of Adversity
  • The Idea Behind the ‘Taxation Without Representation’ in the British Empire
  • The Most Important Factors in the Growth of the British Empire
  • Imperialism: British Empire and Imperialist Powers Spheres
  • The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
  • British Empire and the Union of South Africa
  • British Empire’s Influences and Actions in Africa – Good or Bad?
  • The British Empire and the British Industrial Revolution
  • Patriotic Trade, Ethnicity, and Market in the 1930s British Empire
  • The British Empire and the War for North America
  • The British Empire Against the Emperor of Ethiopia
  • British Empire and East India Company
  • Technological Advancements During the 18th Century of the British Empire
  • Significance of Slave Trade In the Growth of the British Empire
  • Conflict Between the Colonies and British Empire
  • British Empire and Winston Churchill
  • The Anglo Cluster: Legacy of the British Empire
  • Large Scale Institutional Changes: Land Demarcation Within the British Empire
  • The Second World War as a Catalyst for the Loss of Colonial Power in the British Empire
  • The British Empire and the Colonial Crisis
  • The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire – A World Map in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries
  • Queen Victoria’s Influential Reign Over the British Empire
  • The Reason the British Empire Gave up Imperial Control
  • British Empire and American Revolution
  • Preparation, Assimilation, Force: Education in the British Empire
  • British Empire and Central American Slave
  • The Benefits and Harms Caused by the British Empire
  • American Colonists and the British Empire
  • Taxation, Authority, and Social Conditions in the British Empire
  • British Empire’s Origins and Demise
  • The Ancient Roman Empire and the British Empire: Diffusion of Roman and English Law Throughout the World
  • Imperialism: British Empire and Small Islands
  • The British Empire in 1870-1914: A Waste of Money
  • Comparison Between the British Empire and the Roman Empire
  • Why Did the British Empire Fall?
  • How Did the British Empire Impact the World?
  • Do You Agree That Britain’s Imperial Defence Strategies Provided Only ‘The Illusion of Security’ for Her Eastern Empire in the Two Decades After 1921?
  • What Was the Most Important Factor in the Growth of the British Empire?
  • How Did America Win Her Independence From the British Empire?
  • Did the British Empire Improve Lives in Africa?
  • Why Was the British Empire So Successful?
  • How Did the British Empire Consolidation and Its Consequences up to 1774 Affect the American Colonist’s Way of Life?
  • Was Losing the American Colonies a Failure of the British Empire?
  • How Did Trade and Commerce Contribute to the Development of the British Empire in 1680?
  • Was the British Empire a Force for Good or for Evil?
  • How Was Significant Slave Trade in the Growth of the British Empire?
  • Was Trade the Most Important Factor of the British Empire?
  • How Did the British Empire Try to Enforce Obedience Through Taxation?
  • Were the British Empire’s Influences and Actions in Africa Good or Bad?
  • What Was Rudyard Kipling’s Attitude Towards the British Empire?
  • Why Was the British Empire Unique History?
  • Was the ‘New Imperialism’ of the Late Nineteenth Century a Symptom of British Strength or British Weakness?
  • Were Britain’s Relations With Her Colonies and Dominions Fundamentally Transformed in the Inter-War Period?
  • To What Extent Did Domestic Considerations Affect British Policy Towards Empire and Commonwealth Lands?
  • What Effect Did the Empire Have On British Policy in the Two World Wars?
  • Was the British Empire Lost on the Playing Fields of Haileybury?
  • In What Ways and to What Extent Did Changes in the Domestic Political Arena Affect the Process of British Decolonisation?
  • Why Did Most British Colonies Not Follow India Into Independence Until the 1960s?
  • How Was the British Empire Controlled?
  • Has There Been Any Significant Difference Between the Attitudes of Labour and Conservative Governments to the British Empire and Commonwealth?
  • Was the Falklands Conflict of 1982 an Imperial War?
  • What Significance Does the Commonwealth Possess?
  • Has the End of the British Empire Provided for the End of Great Britain?
  • What Countries Were in the British Empire?
  • International Politics Questions
  • Genocide Essay Titles
  • Orientalism Titles
  • Brexit Questions
  • Fascism Questions
  • Growth Strategy Titles
  • Colonialism Essay Ideas
  • Slavery Ideas
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, January 20). 79 British Empire Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/british-empire-essay-topics/

"79 British Empire Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 20 Jan. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/british-empire-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '79 British Empire Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 20 January.

IvyPanda . 2023. "79 British Empire Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." January 20, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/british-empire-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "79 British Empire Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." January 20, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/british-empire-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "79 British Empire Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." January 20, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/british-empire-essay-topics/.

Schoolshistory.org.uk

History resources, stories and news. Author: Dan Moorhouse

Questions about the British Empire

Questions about the British Empire

Questions about the British Empire. The British Empire is the largest Empire the world has seen to date. It’s expansion and rule brought about many changes. These often pose questions about the motives of the British, the ethics and around the benefits of Empire for Great Britain, the Dominions and for countries and territories that were under British rule. 

Questions about the British Empire

  • When did the British Empire start?
  • When did the British Empire end?
  • What countries were in the British Empire?
  • Why did Britain want an empire?
  • What was life like in the British Empire?
  • Was the British Empire a force for good or bad?
  • What is Is perfidious Albion?
  • How was the British Empire controlled?

The British Empire – Making of the United Kingdom – Economic Consequences of the British Empire – How did the Empire affect Great Britain? – Society changes: Political Thought and the British Empire – Questions about the British Empire – British Empire Teaching Resources

  • 37847 Share on Facebook
  • 2521 Share on Twitter
  • 7219 Share on Pinterest
  • 3168 Share on LinkedIn
  • 5828 Share on Email

essay question about british empire

Subscribe to our Free Newsletter, Complete with Exclusive History Content

Thanks, I’m not interested

essay question about british empire

  • Modern History

Colonialism and imperialism: Understanding the British Empire's quest for global dominance

London Bridge

British colonialism and imperialism were some of the most powerful forces in world history. During the centuries of expansion, the British Empire's reach extended into nearly every continent and left an impact on societies that is still evident today.

At its heart, British imperialism was driven by a mix of ambition, wealth, and a belief in cultural superiority. While this ambition resulted in a vast empire, it also brought about significant conflicts and resistance.

What is colonisation and imperialism?

Colonisation is the process of taking ownership of someone's land for another country's own use.

Whereas imperialism is the use of political, economic, and military power to extend a nation's authority by establishing control over other territories.

The two concepts are often used interchangeably, but there are some important distinctions.

Colonisation is different to imperialism in that it generally refers to the physical occupation of a territory, whereas imperialism can refer to both occupation and economic domination.

A number of different European nations relied upon imperialism and colonisation to expand their empires in the early modern period.

Such countries included France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal.  By the start of the 20th century, most of Africa and Asia was controlled by a small number of European empires. 

The birth of the British Empire

The British Empire was one of the largest empires in world history. At its peak in the 19th century, it controlled a quarter of the world's population and a third of its land surface. 

British colonialism began in the late 15th century with the explorations of John Cabot.

However, England did not establish a permanent colony in the Americas until the early 17th century with the founding of Jamestown in 1607.

These early voyages were primarily motivated by a desire for wealth and prestige.

However, as the British Empire expanded, other motivations came into play, such as the desire to spread Christianity or to gain a strategic advantage over rival European powers.

The imperial experience had a profound effect on both colonized and colonizing nations.

In the colonies, Indigenous peoples were often displaced, exploited, and discriminated against.

In Britain, the imperial experience led to a sense of national superiority and a belief in the right to rule over other peoples.

Why did European powers expand?

Britain's early explorations were motivated by a desire for wealth and power. The British crown was specifically interested in commodities and cash crops like tobacco, sugar, and spices.

These commodities were then sold in European markets for a profit.

The British also established control over strategic trade routes, like the Spice Route, and through the use of entities like the East India Company. 

Imperialism also had an impact on economic development. Colonies provided raw materials and markets for British goods, helping to fuel the Industrial Revolution .

Therefore, the desire to make money drove much of early European expansion.

Not only did the acquisition of new territories mean the discovery of new trade goods, but the more regions that a country controlled meant that they had more people to sell their products to.

As a result, the larger an empire became, the more its wealth increased.

However, critics argue that imperialism led to exploitation and underdevelopment in the colonies.

They point to the high taxes that colonized peoples were required to pay, as well as the damaging effects of economic competition between colonial powers.

In addition to economic motivations, British colonialism was also driven by political and social factors. 

The establishment of representative democracy in Britain since the 17th century led the British to believe that it was the best form of government.

They claimed that if they could spread democracy around the world, that every nation would benefit.

In a similar way, British society believed that their morals (what they believed to be 'right' and 'wrong') was superior to any other social system in the rest of the world.

Therefore, they thought that all of humanity would benefit from adopting British culture.  

The expectation of spreading this culture on all other people was known as the 'White Man's Burden' among the British people.

Then, in the 19th century, Social Darwinism, a belief in the superiority of some races over others, also played a role in British imperialism.

This ideology justified Britain's right to rule over other peoples, on the grounds that they were 'racially inferior'.

How slavery was used to build colonies

During the era of British colonialism and imperialism, slavery was an important part of the economy.

Early colonisers had hoped to use the local peoples of their colonies as a form of cheap labour on farms and in mines.

However, diseases like smallpox and constant warfare made this impractical.

As a result, the British turned to Africa as a source of enslaved people. Slaves were brought from Africa to work on plantations in the Americas and the Caribbean.

They were also used in other parts of the world, including India and Southeast Asia. 

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, an estimated 12 million Africans were taken from their homes and sold into slavery.

The slave trade was extremely profitable for British ship owners and merchants. It is estimated that between 1750 and 1830, the British slave trade generated an estimated profit of £100 million.

Eventually, the slave trade was abolished in 1807, but slavery itself continued to exist in British colonies until it was finally made illegal in 1833.

The front of St. Paul's church London

The impact of the Industrial Revolution

The wealth and natural resources gained by Britain from its colonies were some of the crucial factors which led to the Industrial Revolution .

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century and spread to other parts of the world in the 19th century. 

This period of rapid economic growth was fuelled by the development of new technologies, like the steam engine and the Spinning Jenny.

The Industrial Revolution led to a dramatic increase in the production of goods, which helped fuel the growth of the British Empire.

It also had a profound impact on social and economic life, transforming Britain from a primarily agrarian society into an industrial powerhouse.

As a result of the increased production of food and luxury goods, the Industrial Revolution caused a rapid increase in Britain's population and wealth.

It also had a profound effect on British society, as people began to move from rural areas into cities to work in factories.

What were the major British colonies?

The British colonisation of North America began in the 16th century, when England established colonies in Virginia and Newfoundland.

Colonisation continued in the 17th century, as the British founded New England, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

In the 18th century, Britain's thirteen American colonies became a prosperous and populous part of the empire. 

In Canada, French colonisation began in the 16th century, but British domination began with the defeat of France in the Seven Years' War (1756-1763).

After this conflict, Britain gained control of all French territory in North America east of Louisiana.

In the 19th century, British colonists began to settle in the western part of Canada, creating the provinces of Manitoba (1870) and British Columbia (1871).

In Australia, colonisation began in 1788 with the establishment of a British penal colony in New South Wales.

This was followed by the founding of other colonies, including Tasmania (1803), Western Australia (1829), and Victoria (1851).

In 1901, these colonies were federated to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

In India , British colonisation began in the 18th century with the establishment of trading posts along the coast.

In 1757, the British gained control of Bengal after defeating the local rulers at the Battle of Plassey in 1757.

This victory is seen as the beginning of British rule in India. 

American War of Independence

The process of colonisation and imperialism created regions of social and military tensions in different parts of the world.

Not only were the First Nations peoples willing to fight to retain their independence from European domination, but many of the European settlers also started to resist control.

In North America, Native American tribes fought against European settlers in a series of wars, the most famous of which was the French and Indian War of 1754-63.

Likewise, in Australia, the  First Nations people resisted British attempts to take over their land during the Frontier Wars.

In New Zealand, the Maori people fought against British colonisation in the Maori Wars between 1845 and 1872.

The British Empire faced a significant crisis in 1776, when the European colonists that occupied the 13 North American colonies declared their independence from Britain.

These colonies were wealthy and expanding, but they were also subject to strict imperial controls.

This led to tension between the colonists and the British government, which came to a head with the American War of Independence , which lasted from 1775 to 1783.

With significant economic and military support from France, the American colonies successfully repelled British attempts to bring them back under submission, and as a result, they were able to force the British to accept their independence. 

After eight years of fighting, the colonists were victorious, and the United States of America was born.

Signing of the Declaration of Independence

Criticism of British colonialism and imperialism

The effects of British colonialism were far-reaching. In the colonised nations, it led to the displacement of Indigenous peoples, the introduction of new technologies and religions, and changes in economic and political structures.

British colonialism and imperialism have been criticised for their negative effects on Indigenous peoples and on the development of colonised countries.

Critics argue that colonialism led to exploitation, racism, and underdevelopment in the colonies.

They also point to the negative impact of British cultural imperialism, which imposed Western values and ideas on colonised peoples.

In the colonising nations, such as Britain, it often resulted in the growth of a wealthy elite, while the majority of the population remained poor.

The increasing gap between the rich and poor in Europe was exacerbated by the Industrial Revolution.

The long-term impact of the British Empire

The British Empire finally came to an end in the mid-20th century. India and Pakistan gained independence in 1947, while Sri Lanka became independent in 1948.

Ghana and Kenya gained independence later, in 1957 and 1963, respectively.  The Empire was dismantled, and the process of decolonisation began.

The legacy of British colonialism and imperialism is still evident today. In many parts of the world, British colonial boundaries were used to create modern nation-states.

This has led to conflict in some regions, as different groups compete for control over territory.

In addition, the legacy of British imperialism can also be seen in the language, culture, and institutions of many former colonies.

Even after the decline of the British Empire, the English language remains one of the most important international languages in trade and business.

What do you need help with?

Download ready-to-use digital learning resources.

essay question about british empire

Copyright © History Skills 2014-2024.

Contact  via email

Welcome to Seneca Revision Notes

Short and effective seneca revision notes for a-level & gcse.

1 High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914

1.1 Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890

1.1.1 Empires over Time

1.1.2 Key Questions About Empires

1.1.3 Expansion into Africa

1.1.4 History of Egypt

1.1.5 Control of Egypt

1.1.6 Control of Sudan

1.2 Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890

1.2.1 The British Empire & India

1.2.2 The British Raj

1.2.3 International Relations with other Powers

1.2.4 Scramble for Africa

1.2.5 The Informal Empire

1.3 Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890

1.3.1 Trade & Commerce in the Empire

1.3.2 Infrastructure of Trade & Commerce

1.3.3 Products of Trade & Commerce

1.4 Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890

1.4.1 Explorers

1.4.2 Missionaries

1.4.3 Traders & Colonial Administrators

1.4.4 Government Attitudes Towards Imperialism

1.5 Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890

1.5.1 Relations with India

1.5.2 Relations with South Africa

1.5.3 British-Boer Relations

2 Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914

2.1 Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914

2.1.1 Consolidation & Expansion into Africa

2.1.2 Consolidation & Expansion in South Africa

2.1.3 Historical Interpretations: Expansion into Africa

2.2 Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914

2.2.1 Policy in India

2.2.2 Policy in Egypt

2.2.3 Native Policy in Colonies

2.2.4 International Relations with Other Powers

2.3 Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914

2.3.1 The Benefits of Trade

2.3.2 Costs of the Empire

2.3.3 Debates Over Trade

2.4 Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914

2.4.1 Key Administrators - Chamberlain & Rhodes

2.4.2 Key Administrators - Baring & Milner

2.4.3 Key Administrators - Curzon

2.4.4 Government Attitudes to the Empire

2.4.5 National Efficiency & the Boer War

2.4.6 Popular Attitudes Towards Imperialism

2.5 Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914

2.5.1 Challenges in India

2.5.2 Challenges in Africa

2.5.3 Challenges in South Africa

2.5.4 Historical Interpretations of the Boer War

2.5.5 Relations & Business with Iran

3 Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967

3.1 Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947

3.1.1 Impact of WW1

3.1.2 Palestine

3.1.3 Ireland & WW1

3.1.4 Impact of WW2 on the British Empire

3.2 Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947

3.2.1 Administration in India & Palestine

3.2.2 Administration in Iraq & the Dominions

3.2.3 Imperial Defence

3.3 Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War

3.3.1 Economic Impact of WW1

3.3.2 Inter-War Trade & Commerce

3.3.3 Economic Impact of WW2

3.4 Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914

3.4.1 Colonial Administrators

3.4.2 Trusteeship

3.4.3 Gandhi

3.4.4 Montagu, Haig & Linlithgow

3.4.5 Cameron, Mitchell, Cohen & Furse - African Admins

3.4.6 Imperialist Ideals

3.5 Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947

3.5.1 Ireland & India 1914-1947

3.5.2 The Middle East and Africa

4 The Wind of Change, 1947-1967

4.1 Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967

4.1.1 Reasons for Decolonisation

4.1.2 Decolonisation in East & West Africa

4.1.3 Decolonisation in Central & South Africa

4.1.4 Decolonisation in Asia

4.2 Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967

4.2.1 Relations & Business with Iran after WW2

4.2.2 The 'Winds of Change'

4.2.3 The Suez Canal Crisis - 1956

4.2.4 International Relations 1947-1967

4.3 Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967

4.3.1 The Economic Impact of WW2

4.4 Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967

4.4.1 Colonial Administrators: Cohen & Arden-Clarke

4.4.2 Local Leaders in the Independence Movement

4.4.3 Pan-Africanism in Nationalism

4.5 Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967

4.5.1 Windrush & Immigration

4.5.2 Commonwealth Immigrants Act

4.5.3 Residual Impact of the Empire

4.6 Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967

4.6.1 Challenges to Colonial Rule Post 1947

4.6.2 Kenya & the Mau Mau Uprising

4.6.3 Nigeria & Rhodesia

The British Empire (1776-1900)

Switch to our new history teaching resources.

Slide decks, worksheets, quizzes and lesson planning guidance designed for your classroom.

Play new resources video

Lesson details

Key learning points.

  • In this lesson, will learn about the development of the British Empire in the years 1776-1900. We will introduce some key features of British colonialism. This will make us ready for the rest of this enquiry, in which we will explore what British colonialism looked like in different parts of the world in the nineteenth century.

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

5 Questions

Lesson appears in, unit history / what did british colonialism look like in the nineteenth century.

AQA A Level History Past Papers

A complete collection of aqa a level history past papers. perfect for preparation for upcoming exams. can be used at home for individual learning or within a classroom environment..

It’s time to start preparing for your exams and it’s never been easier with School History. We’ve got hundreds of past papers that are easy to use, come with mark schemes, and are specifically tailored to each specific examination board, so you can get the most from your revision time and enter your examination feeling confident and fully prepared.

Why use past exam papers?

The answer is simple: preparedness. As a A Level student, exams become an important part of your assessment criteria and preparation for A-levels. The use and importance of past papers, therefore, cannot be over-emphasised.

Fill in the blanks

Using past papers are an effective way to establish your strengths and weaknesses so you know where to focus your revision time. Don’t spend hours on a topic you’re familiar with while neglecting an area that needs more time and effort to familiarise yourself with.

Learn effective time management

Proper time management can quite literally mean the difference between passing and failing an exam, even if you know everything that’s required to pass. Your revision time and using past papers is an excellent way to start practicing how to properly manage the time in the exam setting. You’ll be given different styles of questions with different mark allocations, so it’s important to know what’s expected of you and how much time to dedicate to each question, whether its a multiple-choice question, short answer or an essay.

Walk into your exam with confidence

With proper preparation, it’s possible to walk into and out of your exam feeling confident. Confidence is key to performing well as doubt and anxiety can cloud your judgment and affect your ability to think clearly and make the proper decisions. Past papers are the most effective way to familiarise yourself with important terminology, vocabulary, and styles of questions so that you have a solid understanding of what is expected of you to excel in each and every style of question.

Get to know your questions

Remember, some questions will be assessing your knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of a period studied, others will require you to explain and analyse historic events, others will require you to compare and contrast source material and contextualise it in the historic environment, while thematic studies will require you to demonstrate knowledge clearly over centuries while following a particular theme. All of these questions require you to substantiate your answers using facts.

All these questions will be awarded marks in levels, i.e. basic, simple, developed and complex, and short answers and essay questions will also have marks awarded for spelling and grammar. By practicing with past papers you’ll have access to mark schemes, which examiners use to evaluate your responses and you’ll quickly learn how to achieve the most marks while striking the right balance with time management.

Where do I find past papers? Right here, of course! School History has hundreds of examination-style questions to help you practice for your history exams. By signing up, you’ll not only have access to past papers but thousands of resources related to what you’re studying, including notes, activities, quiz questions and more. Let’s dive in! Take a look below at the major examination boards we cover. Give yourself every advantage to excel in your exams and sign up today!

Board Exam Paper Download
AQA June 2022 AQA A2 History Past Papers Component 2
AQA June 2022 AQA A2 History Past Papers Component 1
AQA June 2022 AQA AS History Past Papers Component 2
AQA June 2022 AQA AS History Past Papers Component 1
AQA Nov 2021 AQA A2 History Past Papers Component 2
AQA Nov 2021 AQA A2 History Past Papers Component 1
AQA Nov 2020 AQA A2 History Past Papers Component 2
AQA Nov 2020 AQA A2 History Past Papers Component 1
AQA Nov 2020 AQA AS History Past Papers Component 2
AQA Nov 2020 AQA AS History Past Papers Component 1
AQA June 2019 AQA A2 History Past Papers Component 2
AQA June 2019 AQA A2 History Past Papers Component 1
AQA June 2019 AQA AS History Past Papers Component 2
AQA June 2019 AQA AS History Past Papers Component 1
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/1A) The Age of Crusades, c1071 - 1204 - Component 1A
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/1B) Spain the Age of Discovery, 1469-1598 - Component 1B
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/1C) The Tudors: England, 1485 -1603 - Component 1C
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/1D) Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603 - 1702 - Component 1D
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/1E) Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682 - 1796 - Component 1E
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/1F) Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783 -1885 - Component 1F
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/1G) Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851 - 1964 - Component 1G
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/1H) Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855 - 1964 - Component 1H
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/1J) The British Empire, c1857 - 1967 - Component 1J
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/1K) The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865 - 1975 - Component 1K
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/1L) The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871 - 1991 - Component 1L
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2A) Royal Authority of the Angevin Kings, 1154 -1216 - Component 2A
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2B) The Wars of the Roses, 1450-1499 - Component 2B
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2C) The Reformation in Europe, c1500-1564 - Component 2C
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2D) Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529-c1570 - Component 2D
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2E) The English Revolution, 1625-1660 - Component 2E
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2F) The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643-1715 - Component 2F
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2G) The Birth of the USA, 1760-1801 - Component 2G
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2H) France in Revolution, 1774-1815 - Component 2H
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2J) America: A Nation Divided, c1845-1877 - Component 2J
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2K) International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890-1941 - Component 2K
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2L) Italy and Fascism, c1900-1945 - Component 2L
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2M) Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906-1957 - Component 2M
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2N) Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917-1953 - Component 2N
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2O) Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918-1945 - Component 2O
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2P) The Transformation of China, 1936-1997 - Component 2P
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2Q) The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945-1980 - Component 2Q
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2R) The Cold War, 1945-1991 - Component 2R
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2S) The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007 - Component 2S
AQA June 2018 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7042) A-Level History (7042/2T) The Crisis of Communism: the USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953-200 - Component ST
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1A) – The Age of Crusades, c1071 – 1204 – Component 1A The Crusader States and Outremer, c1071 – 1149
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1B) – Spain the Age of Discovery, 1469-1598 – Component 1B The establishment of a ‘New Monarchy’, 1469 -1556
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1C) – The Tudors: England, 1485 -1603 – Component 1C – Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty: England 1485 – 1547 Q
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1D) – Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603 – 1702 – Component 1D Absolutism challenged: Britain, 1603 – 1649
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1E) – Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682 – 1796 – Component 1E Peter the Great and Russia, 1682 – 1725
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1F) – Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783 -1885 – Component 1F The impact of industrialisation: Britain, c1783 – 1832
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1G) – Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851 – 1964 – Component 1G Victorian and Edwardian Britain, c1851 – 1914
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1H) – Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855 – 1964 – Component 1H Autocracy, Reform and Revolution: Russia, 1855 – Q
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1J) – The British Empire, c1857 – 1967 – Component 1J The High Water Mark of the British Empire, c1857 – 1914
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1K) – The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865 – 1975 – Component 1K From Civil War to World War, 1865 – Q
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1L) – The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871 – 1991 – Component 1L Empire to democracy, 1871 – 1929
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2A) – Royal Authority of the Angevin Kings, 1154 -1216 – Component 2A The Reign of Henry II, 1154 – 1
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2B) – The Wars of the Roses, 1450-1499 – Component 2B The Fall of the House of Lancaster, 1450-1471
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2C) – The Reformation in Europe, c1500-1564 – Component 2C The origins of the Reformation, c1500-1531
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2D) – Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529-c1570 – Component 2D The break with Rome, c1529-c1547
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2E) – The English Revolution, 1625-1660 – Component 2E The origins of the English Civil War, 1625-1642
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2F) – The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643-1715 – Component 2F The Sun King, 1643-1685
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2G) – The Birth of the USA, 1760-1801 – Component 2G The origins the American Revolution, 1760-1776
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2H) – France in Revolution, 1774-1815 – Component 2H The end of Absolutism and the French Revolution, 1774-1795
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2J) – America: A Nation Divided, c1845-1877 – Component 2J The origins of the American Civil War, c1845-1861
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2K) – International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890-1941 – Component 2K Great Power rivalries and entry into war, c1890-1917
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2L) – Italy and Fascism, c1900-1945 – Component 2L The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900-1926
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2M) – Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906-1957 – Component 2M Society in Crisis, 1906-1929
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2N) – Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917-1953 – Component 2N The Russian Revolution and the Rise of Stalin, 1917-1929
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2O) – Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918-1945 – Component 2O The Weimer Republic, 1918-1933
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2P) – The Transformation of China, 1936-1997 – Component 2P The emergence of the People’s Republic of China, 1936-1962
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2Q) – The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945-1980 – Component 2Q Prosperity, inequality and Superpower status, 1945-1963
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2R) – The Cold War, 1945-1991 – Component 2R To the brink of Nuclear War: International Relations, c1945-1963
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2S) – The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007 – Component 2S Building a new Britain, 19519-1979
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/2T) – The Crisis of Communism: the USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953-200 – Component ST Crisis in the Soviet Union, 1953-2000
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/1A) The Age of Crusades, c1071 – 1204 – Component 1A
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/1B) Spain the Age of Discovery, 1469-1598 – Component 1B
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/1C) The Tudors: England, 1485 -1603 – Component 1C
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/1D) Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603 – 1702 – Component 1D
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/1E) Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682 – 1796 – Component 1E A
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/1F) Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783 -1885 – Component 1F
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/1G) Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851 – 1964 – Component 1G
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/1H) Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855 – 1964 – Component 1H
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/1J) The British Empire, c1857 – 1967 – Component 1J
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/1K) The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865 – 1975 – Component 1K Q
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/1L) The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871 – 1991 – Component 1L
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2A) Royal Authority of the Angevin Kings, 1154 -1216 – Component 2A
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2B) The Wars of the Roses, 1450-1499 – Component 2B
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2C) The Reformation in Europe, c1500-1564 – Component 2C
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2D) Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529-c1570 – Component 2D
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2E) The English Revolution, 1625-1660 – Component 2E
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2F) The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643-1715 – Component 2F
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2G) The Birth of the USA, 1760-1801 – Component 2G
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2H) France in Revolution, 1774-1815 – Component 2H
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2J) America: A Nation Divided, c1845-1877 – Component 2J
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2K) International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890-1941 – Component 2K
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2L) Italy and Fascism, c1900-1945 – Component 2L
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2M) Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906-1957 – Component 2M
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2N) Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917-1953 – Component 2N
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2O) Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918-1945 – Component 2O
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2P) The Transformation of China, 1936-1997 – Component 2P
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2Q) The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945-1980 – Component 2Q
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2R) The Cold War, 1945-1991 – Component 2R
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2S) The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007 – Component 2S
AQA June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) A-Level History (7042/2T) The Crisis of Communism: the USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953-200 – Component 2T
AQA June 2016 (AS) The Age of Crusades, c1071 – 1204 – Component 1A The Crusader States and Outremer, c1071 – 1149
AQA June 2016 (AS) Spain the Age of Discovery, 1469-1598 – Component 1B The establishment of a ‘New Monarchy’, 1469 -1556
AQA June 2016 (AS) The Tudors: England, 1485 -1603 – Component 1C – Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty: England 1485 – 1547
AQA June 2016 (AS) Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603 – 1702 – Component 1D Absolutism challenged: Britain, 1603 – 1649
AQA June 2016 (AS) Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682 – 1796 – Component 1E Peter the Great and Russia, 1682 – 1725
AQA June 2016 (AS) Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783 -1885 – Component 1F The impact of industrialisation: Britain, c1783 – 1832
AQA June 2016 (AS) Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851 – 1964 – Component 1G Victorian and Edwardian Britain, c1851 – 1914
AQA June 2016 (AS) Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855 – 1964 – Component 1H Autocracy, Reform and Revolution: Russia, 1855 – 1917
AQA June 2016 (AS) The British Empire, c1857 – 1967 – Component 1J The High Water Mark of the British Empire, c1857 – 1914
AQA June 2016 (AS) The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865 – 1975 – Component 1K From Civil War to World War, 1865 – 1920
AQA June 2016 (AS) The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871 – 1991 – Component 1L Empire to democracy, 1871 – 1929
AQA June 2016 (AS) Royal Authority of the Angevin Kings, 1154 -1216 – Component 2A The Reign of Henry II, 1154 – 1189
AQA June 2016 (AS) The Wars of the Roses, 1450-1499 – Component 2B The Fall of the House of Lancaster, 1450-1471
AQA June 2016 (AS) The Reformation in Europe, c1500-1564 – Component 2C The origins of the Reformation, c1500-1531
AQA June 2016 (AS) Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529-c1570 – Component 2D The break with Rome, c1529-c1547
AQA June 2016 (AS) The English Revolution, 1625-1660 – Component 2E The origins of the English Civil War, 1625-1642
AQA June 2016 (AS) The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643-1715 – Component 2F The Sun King, 1643-1685
AQA June 2016 (AS) The Birth of the USA, 1760-1801 – Component 2G The origins the American Revolution, 1760-1776
AQA June 2016 (AS) France in Revolution, 1774-1815 – Component 2H The end of Absolutism and the French Revolution, 1774-1795
AQA June 2016 (AS) America: A Nation Divided, c1845-1877 – Component 2J The origins of the American Civil War, c1845-1861
AQA June 2016 (AS) International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890-1941 – Component 2K Great Power rivalries and entry into war, c1890-1917
AQA June 2016 (AS) Italy and Fascism, c1900-1945 – Component 2L The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900-1926
AQA June 2016 (AS) Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906-1957 – Component 2M Society in Crisis, 1906-1929
AQA June 2016 (AS) Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917-1953 – Component 2N The Russian Revolution and the Rise of Stalin, 1917-1929
AQA June 2016 (AS) Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918-1945 – Component 2O The Weimer Republic, 1918-1933
AQA June 2016 (AS) The Transformation of China, 1936-1997 – Component 2P The emergence of the People’s Republic of China, 1936-1962
AQA June 2016 (AS) The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945-1980 – Component 2Q Prosperity, inequality and Superpower status, 1945-1963
AQA June 2016 (AS) The Cold War, 1945-1991 – Component 2R To the brink of Nuclear War: International Relations, c1945-1963
AQA June 2016 (AS) The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007 – Component 2S Building a new Britain, 19519-1979
AQA June 2016 (AS) The Crisis of Communism: the USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953-200 – Component ST Crisis in the Soviet Union, 1953-2000
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1A: The Crusading Movement and the Latin East, 1095–1204
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1B: Britain, 1483–1529
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1C: The Reformation in Europe, c1500–1564
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1D: Britain, 1603–1642
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1E: Absolutist States: The Reign of Louis XIV, 1661–1715
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1F: France in Revolution, 1774–1815
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1G: Britain, 1815–1865
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1H: Tsarist Russia, 1855–1917
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1J: The Development of Germany, 1871–1925
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1K: Russia and Germany, 1871–1914
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1L: Britain, 1906–1951
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1M: USA, 1890–1945
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 1N: Totalitarian Ideology in Theory and in Practice, c1848–c1941
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2A: Conqueror and Conquest, c1060–1087
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2B: The Church in England: The Struggle for Supremacy, 1529–1547
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2C: The Reign of Henry IV of France, 1589–1610
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2D: Britain, 1625–1642: the Failure of Absolutism?
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2E: The Reign of Peter the Great of Russia, 1682–1725
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2F: Challenging British Dominance: the Loss of the American Colonies, 1754–1783
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2G: The Forging of the Italian Nation, 1848–1871
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2H: Britain, 1902–1918: The Impact of New Liberalism
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2J: Britain and Appeasement, 1919–1940
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2K: A New Roman Empire? Mussolini’s Italy, 1922–1945
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2L: The Impact of Stalin’s Leadership in the USSR, 1924–1941
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2M: Life in Nazi Germany, 1933–1945
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2N: Anti-Semitism, Hitler and the German People, 1919–1945
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2O: The Impact of Chairman Mao: China, 1946–1976
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2P: The Campaign for African-American Civil Rights in the USA, 1950–1968
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2Q: The USA and Vietnam, 1961–1975
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2R: A Sixties Revolution? British Society, 1959–1975
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 2S: Liberal Democracies: Power to the People?
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3A: The Angevin Kings of England: British Monarchy, 1154–1216
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3B: The Triumph of Elizabeth: Britain, 1547-1603
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3C: The Emergence of a Great Power? Spain, 1492–1556
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3D: British Monarchy: the Crisis of State, 1642–1689
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3E: France and the Enlightenment: Absolutism Under Threat, 1743–1789
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3F: Stability and War: British Monarchy and State, 1714–1770
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3G: British State and People, 1865–1915
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3H: Monarchies and Republics in France, 1815–1875
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3J: The State and People: Britain, 1918–1964
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3K: Triumph and Collapse: Russia and the USSR, 1941–1991
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3L: From Defeat to Unity: Germany, 1945–1991
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3M: The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007 Q
AQA June 2015 (AS) Unit 3N: Aspects of International Relations, 1945–2004
AQA June 2014 Unit 1A: The Crusading Movement and the Latin East, 1095–1204
AQA June 2014 Unit 1B: Britain, 1483–1529
AQA June 2014 Unit 1C: The Reformation in Europe, c1500–1564
AQA June 2014 Unit 1D: Britain, 1603–1642
AQA June 2014 Unit 1E: Absolutist States: The Reign of Louis XIV, 1661–1715
AQA June 2014 Unit 1F: France in Revolution, 1774–1815
AQA June 2014 Unit 1G: Britain, 1815–1865
AQA June 2014 Unit 1H: Tsarist Russia, 1855–1917 A
AQA June 2014 Unit 1J: The Development of Germany, 1871–1925
AQA June 2014 Unit 1K: Russia and Germany, 1871–1914
AQA June 2014 Unit 1L: Britain, 1906–1951
AQA June 2014 Unit 1M: USA, 1890–1945
AQA June 2014 Unit 1N: Totalitarian Ideology in Theory and in Practice, c1848–c1941
AQA June 2014 Unit 2A: Conqueror and Conquest, c1060–1087 A
AQA June 2014 Unit 2B: The Church in England: The Struggle for Supremacy, 1529–1547
AQA June 2014 Unit 2C: The Reign of Henry IV of France, 1589–1610
AQA June 2014 Unit 2D: Britain, 1625–1642: the Failure of Absolutism?
AQA June 2014 Unit 2E: The Reign of Peter the Great of Russia, 1682–1725
AQA June 2014 Unit 2F: Challenging British Dominance: the Loss of the American Colonies, 1754–1783
AQA June 2014 Unit 2G: The Forging of the Italian Nation, 1848–1871
AQA June 2014 Unit 2H: Britain, 1902–1918: The Impact of New Liberalism A
AQA June 2014 Unit 2J: Britain and Appeasement, 1919–1940
AQA June 2014 Unit 2K: A New Roman Empire? Mussolini’s Italy, 1922–1945
AQA June 2014 Unit 2L: The Impact of Stalin’s Leadership in the USSR, 1924–1941
AQA June 2014 Unit 2M: Life in Nazi Germany, 1933–1945
AQA June 2014 Unit 2N: Anti-Semitism, Hitler and the German People, 1919–1945
AQA June 2014 Unit 2O: The Impact of Chairman Mao: China, 1946–1976
AQA June 2014 Unit 2P: The Campaign for African-American Civil Rights in the USA, 1950–1968
AQA June 2014 Unit 2Q: The USA and Vietnam, 1961–1975
AQA June 2014 Unit 2R: A Sixties Revolution? British Society, 1959–1975
AQA June 2014 Unit 2S: Liberal Democracies: Power to the People?
AQA June 2014 Unit 3A: The Angevin Kings of England: British Monarchy, 1154–1216
AQA June 2014 Unit 3B: The Triumph of Elizabeth: Britain, 1547-1603
AQA June 2014 Unit 3C: The Emergence of a Great Power? Spain, 1492–1556
AQA June 2014 Unit 3D: British Monarchy: the Crisis of State, 1642–1689
AQA June 2014 Unit 3E: France and the Enlightenment: Absolutism Under Threat, 1743–1789 A
AQA June 2014 Unit 3F: Stability and War: British Monarchy and State, 1714–1770
AQA June 2014 Unit 3G: British State and People, 1865–1915
AQA June 2014 Unit 3H: Monarchies and Republics in France, 1815–1875
AQA June 2014 Unit 3J: The State and People: Britain, 1918–1964
AQA June 2014 Unit 3K: Triumph and Collapse: Russia and the USSR, 1941–1991
AQA June 2014 Unit 3L: From Defeat to Unity: Germany, 1945–1991
AQA June 2014 Unit 3M: The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007
AQA June 2014 Unit 3N: Aspects of International Relations, 1945–2004

Drishti IAS

  • Classroom Programme
  • Interview Guidance
  • Online Programme
  • Drishti Store
  • My Bookmarks
  • My Progress
  • Change Password
  • From The Editor's Desk
  • How To Use The New Website
  • Help Centre

Achievers Corner

  • Topper's Interview
  • About Civil Services
  • UPSC Prelims Syllabus
  • GS Prelims Strategy
  • Prelims Analysis
  • GS Paper-I (Year Wise)
  • GS Paper-I (Subject Wise)
  • CSAT Strategy
  • Previous Years Papers
  • Practice Quiz
  • Weekly Revision MCQs
  • 60 Steps To Prelims
  • Prelims Refresher Programme 2020

Mains & Interview

  • Mains GS Syllabus
  • Mains GS Strategy
  • Mains Answer Writing Practice
  • Essay Strategy
  • Fodder For Essay
  • Model Essays
  • Drishti Essay Competition
  • Ethics Strategy
  • Ethics Case Studies
  • Ethics Discussion
  • Ethics Previous Years Q&As
  • Papers By Years
  • Papers By Subject
  • Be MAINS Ready
  • Awake Mains Examination 2020
  • Interview Strategy
  • Interview Guidance Programme

Current Affairs

  • Daily News & Editorial
  • Daily CA MCQs
  • Sansad TV Discussions
  • Monthly CA Consolidation
  • Monthly Editorial Consolidation
  • Monthly MCQ Consolidation

Drishti Specials

  • To The Point
  • Important Institutions
  • Learning Through Maps
  • PRS Capsule
  • Summary Of Reports
  • Gist Of Economic Survey

Study Material

  • NCERT Books
  • NIOS Study Material
  • IGNOU Study Material
  • Yojana & Kurukshetra
  • Chhatisgarh
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Madhya Pradesh

Test Series

  • UPSC Prelims Test Series
  • UPSC Mains Test Series
  • UPPCS Prelims Test Series
  • UPPCS Mains Test Series
  • BPSC Prelims Test Series
  • RAS/RTS Prelims Test Series
  • Daily Editorial Analysis
  • YouTube PDF Downloads
  • Strategy By Toppers
  • Ethics - Definition & Concepts
  • Mastering Mains Answer Writing
  • Places in News
  • UPSC Mock Interview
  • PCS Mock Interview
  • Interview Insights
  • Prelims 2019
  • Product Promos
  • Mains Practice Questions
  • Filter By :
  • Indian Heritage & Culture
  • Indian Society

Mains practice questions is now being continued in Be Mains Ready program with a dedicated syllabus coverage for Mains 2019. To join this program, click here "Be Mains Ready program"

Q. The roots of the disintegration of the Mughal empire may be found in the Indian economy and external incursions. Discuss. (250 words)

  • Start by writing about the expanse of Mughal empire in the early 18 th century.
  • Discuss the various reasons behind the disintegration of Mughal empire giving special emphasis on - economy and external incursions.
  • Conclude suitably by writing future implications of the disintegration.

Introduction

  • Disintegration of the Mughal empire was a decisive event in the history of India which led to the rise of different regional powers as well as British rule for over 200 years.
  • Beginning of the disintegration of of Mughal empire can be traced to the strong rule of Aurangzeb.
  • Aurangzeb inherited a large empire, yet he adopted a policy of extending it further to the farthest geographical limits in the south at the great expense of men and materials.

Reasons for disintegration of Mughal empire:

  • These wars of succession became increasingly destructive and fierce during the 18 th century which resulted in great loss of life and property.
  • To increase profit with a limited number of jagirs, the Jagirdars started to maintain less than expected number of troops which weakened the army of the Mughal empire.
  • Foreiegn invasion: After the death of Aurangzeb, due to the weakness of later Mughals, many foreign invasions struck the empire. Such invasions resulted in plundering much of the wealth of the empire. It worsened the economy of an already declining power.
  • Empty Treasury: Shah Jahan’s zeal for construction (eg Taj Mahal) had depleted the treasury. Aurangzeb’s long wars in the south had further drained the exchequer.
  • Nadir Shah, the ruler of Persia, attacked the empire in 1739. Nadir Shah’s invasion gave a crushing blow to the already tottering Mughal Empire and hastened the process of its disintegration.
  • Invasion by Ahmad Shah Abdali: In 1761, during the reign of Shah Alam II, Ahmad Shah Abdali, the independent ruler of Afghanistan, invaded India. He conquered Punjab and marched towards Delhi. Ahmad Shah Abdali’s invasion further weakened the Mughal Empire.
  • Further, the emergence of British and other European powers in the Indian subcontinent also posed as a challenge took away the last hope of the revival of the Mughal Empire.
  • The disintegration of Mughal Empire made the soil fertile for the colonisation by the British.
  • In 1857, Bahadur Shah II played an important symbolic role and with his death in 1862, the Mughal Empire came to an end.
  • Thus, decline of economy and external incursions acted as termites in the strong wood of mughal empire.

To get PDF version, Please click on "Print PDF" button.

essay question about british empire

IMAGES

  1. British History Essay

    essay question about british empire

  2. The British Empire: Overview of the British Empire

    essay question about british empire

  3. The British Empire and International Affairs

    essay question about british empire

  4. BRITISH EMPIRE ESSAY

    essay question about british empire

  5. British Empire 1J AQA A* essay 1857-1890 Trade with Britain benefitted

    essay question about british empire

  6. PPT

    essay question about british empire

VIDEO

  1. British Empire edit #history #geography #maps #britain #uk #empire

  2. JANE AUSTEN AND EMPIRE essay by EDWARD SAID,JANE AUSTEN AND EMPIRE EDWARD SAID summary in Malayalam

  3. How The British Empire Draws Borders

  4. How Britain Controlled It's Empire #shorts

  5. The British Empire in Colour 1/3 [Part 3]

  6. 1857 ki kranti

COMMENTS

  1. 79 British Empire Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    on any topic done in as little. as 1 hour. Learn More. Trade and Commerce in the Development of the British Empire. Colonial Revenue Extraction and Modern Day Government Quality in the British Empire. British Empire Industrial Revolution. Prime Minister Robert Borden and Canada's Role in the British Empire. Symbiosis: Trade and the British ...

  2. PDF Essay Questions: British Empire 1763-1914

    Essay Questions: British Empire 1763-1914 www.historychappy.com No te : T h e S e ct i o n B & C q u e st i o n s h a ve b e e n o rg a n i se d i n t o t h e t w o b r e a d th a n d f i v e d e p th ke y t h e me s, a s p e r t h e E d e xce l syl l a b u s.

  3. Questions about the British Empire

    The British Empire is the largest Empire the world has seen to date. It's expansion and rule brought about many changes. These often pose questions about the motives of the British, the ethics and around the benefits of Empire for Great Britain, the Dominions and for countries and territories that were under British rule.

  4. British empire Questions and Answers

    Explore insightful questions and answers on British empire at eNotes. Enhance your understanding today!

  5. IMPERIALISM_Essay Questions

    IMPERIALISM_Essay Questions. VIII: ESSAY QUESTIONS. Other titles may be arranged by mutual agreement. 1. Was the 'new imperialism' of the late nineteenth century a symptom of British strength or British weakness? 2. What effect did the South African war of 1899-1902 have on British politics? 3. Describe the role of the United States of America ...

  6. Colonialism and imperialism: Understanding the British Empire's quest

    British colonialism and imperialism were some of the most powerful forces in world history. During the centuries of expansion, the British Empire's reach extended into nearly every continent and left an impact on societies that is still evident today. At its heart, British imperialism was driven by a mix of ambition, wealth, and a belief in cultural superiority. While this ambition resulted in ...

  7. Key Questions About Empires

    After the British Empire began to collapse, ensuring the peaceful transitions happened was a difficult task. In Malaya, a 12-year civil war broke after a move towards independence began. Uganda became independent in 1962. Idi Amin seized power in Uganda in 1971 in a military coup. Nigeria became independent in 1960. In 1966, there were two coups.

  8. The British Empire

    Amy J. Lloyd | University of Cambridge. During the nineteenth century, the British Empire expanded greatly in terms of size, population and wealth. By the end of the century—which has been termed 'Britain's Imperial century'—the Empire covered approximately one-quarter of the world's land surface and governed around one-fifth of its population.

  9. History: AQA A Level The British Empire

    Welcome to Seneca Revision Notes. Short and effective Seneca Revision Notes for A-Level & GCSE. A Level History AQA History: AQA A Level The British Empire. Choose Topic. 1 High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914. 2 Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914. 3 Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967. 4 The Wind of Change, 1947-1967.

  10. PDF The British Empire in the Nineteenth Century

    ect of Empire during the nineteenth century. The anti-slavery movement, active since the 1780s, had a strong Christian element, and succeeded in influencing public and political. opinion in favour of the abolitionist cause. The slave trade was abolished within the British Empire in 1807, and slave-owning made illegal in 1833, although ...

  11. PDF Unit Y320 From Colonialism to Independence: The British Empire ...

    ravaged India, humanity was sacrificed to economy. British civil servants, often pig-sticking, gin-swilling public school men were impossibly remote from their subjects. Adapted from: P. Brendon, The Decline and Fall of the British Empire 1781-1997, published in 2007 Passage B The British rule saw a uniformity being established in India.

  12. PDF The British Empire

    This essay will attempt to put this news in context, outlining the history of the British Empire during the nineteenth century and in particular examining the effects the Empire had on Britain and its home population. The British Empire at the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century. Although Britain had lost thirteen of its North American

  13. Lesson: The British Empire (1776-1900)

    In this lesson, will learn about the development of the British Empire in the years 1776-1900. We will introduce some key features of British colonialism. This will make us ready for the rest of this enquiry, in which we will explore what British colonialism looked like in different parts of the world in the nineteenth century. Licence.

  14. AQA A Level History Past Papers

    AS History (7041/1J) - The British Empire, c1857 - 1967 - Component 1J The High Water Mark of the British Empire, c1857 - 1914: Q A: AQA: June 2017 AQA A-Level History Past Papers (7041 and 7042) AS History (7041/1K) - The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865 - 1975 - Component 1K From Civil War to World War, 1865 - Q A: AQA

  15. PDF Answers and commentary (A-level) : Component 1J The British Empire

    History. Answers and commentaries A-level (7042) 1J The British Empire, c1857 — 1957 Marked answers from students for questions from the June 2022 exams. Supporting commentary is provided to help you understand how marks are awarded and how students can improve performance. Version 1.0 September 2023.

  16. British Empire Essay Plans Flashcards

    Study with Quizlet and memorise flashcards containing terms like (1857-1890) To what extent was imperial and colonial policy in the years 1857-1890 influenced by ______________ ?, (1857-1890) To what extent was British rule in India and southern Africa a disaster for the indigenous people?, (1890-1914) 'Britain's wealth rested heavily on the growth and maintenance of its empire in the years ...

  17. PDF Question paper (AS) : Component 1J The British Empire, c1857-1967 ...

    The British Empire, c1857-1967 Component 1J The High Water Mark of the British Empire, c1857-1914 Wednesday 13 May 2020 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes Materials For this paper you must have: • an AQA 16-page answer book. Instructions • Use black ink or black ball-point pen.

  18. AQA History for A Level: The British Empire 1857-1967

    a) In the first 1/2 of the 19th century, how did Britain respond to Empire? In mid-19th century, British government didn't pursue an active role due to poor communication, long distances involved and lack of institutions to deal with Empire. The Empire was source of pride however, trade and access to markets was biggest concern. 1870's saw ...

  19. essay questions for empire Flashcards

    18 terms. KH4972. Preview. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Britain's wealth rested heavily on the growth and maintenance of empire, British expansion in Africa in the years 1890 to 1914 was driven primarily by strategic motives., How significant a role did men on the spot play in promoting Britain's empire ...

  20. PDF Question paper (A-level) : Component 1J The British Empire, c1857 ...

    questions. Information • The marks for questions are shown in brackets. • The maximum mark for this paper is 80. • You will be marked on your ability to: - use good English - organise information clearly - use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. Advice • You are advised to spend about: - 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A

  21. Main Answer Writing Practice

    The disintegration of Mughal Empire made the soil fertile for the colonisation by the British. In 1857, Bahadur Shah II played an important symbolic role and with his death in 1862, the Mughal Empire came to an end. Thus, decline of economy and external incursions acted as termites in the strong wood of mughal empire.