A Fading Empire? Grandeur and Decline From Empire to Commonwealth 1950-2025
In 1914 Britain was undoubtedly the world’s super power; yet by 1960 this had all changed, as recognized by the British Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan who announced the process of decolonialization in his Winds of Change speech. Join us to discover the history of the decline of the British Empire and the foundations of the Commonwealth.
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This course traces the reasons for the decline in Britian’s position as a global super power to the age of decolonialization. How and why did it happen and what consequences did it have for both the Commonwealth and for people living in Britain today?
What will we cover?
Imperialism and Government. How and why did the British rule its imperial possessions
Imperialism and Resistance. How and why did colonial resistance grow?
Post Colonialism: the history of the Commonwealth.
Post-Colonialism: How and why did imperial citizens come to Britain?
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Evaluate the significance of colonialism and post-colonialism
Assess the methods Britain used to secure imperial loyalty
Explain the reasons for imperial resistance in a move towards independence
Evaluate the significance of the Commonwealth
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course and no prior knowledge is required. An interest in the topic and a willingness to engage constructively and respectfully with both the tutor and your classmates is the only essential requirement.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Interactive lectures.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. Bring a pen and notebook if you wish to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please refer to the Global and Imperial History category of the CL website for further details.
Colm has been involved in education for 40 years and has extensive adult education experience. Currently an Associate Lecturer at Solent University in Southampton, he holds degrees from five universities including a PhD from Strathclyde and an MBA from Hull. He has published extensively on sport and education in internationally peer reviewed journals including an article on sport in Elite Irish Schools 1878-1914. He has also co-authored a book on the role of schoolteachers in the development of association football in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His latest book Sport and Irish Identity is due in 2022.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/a-fading-empire-grandeur-and-decline-from-empire-to-commonwealth-1950-20252939499A Fading Empire? Grandeur and Decline From Empire to Commonwealth 1950-2025https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024_1.jpg219219GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Global & imperial history22851177117812101228511771178<p>In 1914 Britain was undoubtedly the world’s super power; yet by 1960 this had all changed, as recognized by the British Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan who announced the process of decolonialization in his Winds of Change speech. Join us to discover the history of the decline of the British Empire and the foundations of the Commonwealth. </p>002939463A Fading Empire? Grandeur and Decline From Empire to Commonwealth 1950-2025219219https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024_1.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-14T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH220219219A Fading Empire? Grandeur and Decline From Empire to Commonwealth 1950-2025175142219Colm Hickeya-fading-empire-grandeur-and-decline-from-empire-to-commonwealth-1950-2025/hwh220-2526<p>In 1914 Britain was undoubtedly the world’s super power; yet by 1960 this had all changed, as recognized by the British Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan who announced the process of decolonialization in his Winds of Change speech. Join us to discover the history of the decline of the British Empire and the foundations of the Commonwealth. </p>0000-Available|2026-05-14 00:00:00<p>This course traces the reasons for the decline in Britian’s position as a global super power to the age of decolonialization. How and why did it happen and what consequences did it have for both the Commonwealth and for people living in Britain today?</p><p>In 1914 Britain was undoubtedly the world’s super power; yet by 1960 this had all changed, as recognized by the British Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan who announced the process of decolonialization in his Winds of Change speech. Join us to discover the history of the decline of the British Empire and the foundations of the Commonwealth. </p><ul><li>Imperialism and Government. How and why did the British rule its imperial possessions</li><li>Imperialism and Resistance. How and why did colonial resistance grow?</li><li>Post Colonialism: the history of the Commonwealth.</li><li>Post-Colonialism: How and why did imperial citizens come to Britain?</li></ul><ul><li>Evaluate the significance of colonialism and post-colonialism</li><li>Assess the methods Britain used to secure imperial loyalty</li><li>Explain the reasons for imperial resistance in a move towards independence</li><li>Evaluate the significance of the Commonwealth </li></ul><p>This is an introductory course and no prior knowledge is required. An interest in the topic and a willingness to engage constructively and respectfully with both the tutor and your classmates is the only essential requirement. </p><p>Interactive lectures. </p>No other costs. Bring a pen and notebook if you wish to take notes.Please refer to the Global and Imperial History category of the CL website for further details.HistoryGlobal & imperial historyvirtual175219142HWH220NONEThu14/05/26 - 02/07/2615:00 - 17:0015:0017:008 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetColm HickeyAvailable courses2026-05-14T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities219219A Fading Empire? Grandeur and Decline From Empire to Commonwealth 1950-2025a-fading-empire-grandeur-and-decline-from-empire-to-commonwealth-1950-2025/hwh220-2526<p>In 1914 Britain was undoubtedly the world’s super power; yet by 1960 this had all changed, as recognized by the British Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan who announced the process of decolonialization in his Winds of Change speech. Join us to discover the history of the decline of the British Empire and the foundations of the Commonwealth. </p>0000-Available|2026-05-14 00:00:00<p>This course traces the reasons for the decline in Britian’s position as a global super power to the age of decolonialization. How and why did it happen and what consequences did it have for both the Commonwealth and for people living in Britain today?</p><p>In 1914 Britain was undoubtedly the world’s super power; yet by 1960 this had all changed, as recognized by the British Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan who announced the process of decolonialization in his Winds of Change speech. Join us to discover the history of the decline of the British Empire and the foundations of the Commonwealth. </p><ul><li>Imperialism and Government. How and why did the British rule its imperial possessions</li><li>Imperialism and Resistance. How and why did colonial resistance grow?</li><li>Post Colonialism: the history of the Commonwealth.</li><li>Post-Colonialism: How and why did imperial citizens come to Britain?</li></ul><ul><li>Evaluate the significance of colonialism and post-colonialism</li><li>Assess the methods Britain used to secure imperial loyalty</li><li>Explain the reasons for imperial resistance in a move towards independence</li><li>Evaluate the significance of the Commonwealth </li></ul><p>This is an introductory course and no prior knowledge is required. An interest in the topic and a willingness to engage constructively and respectfully with both the tutor and your classmates is the only essential requirement. </p><p>Interactive lectures. </p>No other costs. Bring a pen and notebook if you wish to take notes.Please refer to the Global and Imperial History category of the CL website for further details.HistoryGlobal & imperial historyconfigurable
12101178Global & imperial historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/world-history1/2/285/1177/1178/12101/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Global & imperial history
