An Accidental Empire? The British Empire 1500-1850
Join Colm Hickey to explore the history of the British Empire in the period 1500-1850. Overview sessions will be followed by the exploration of the history of different colonies around the Empire.
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This course is an exploration of the origins, growth and development of the British Empire from 1500 to 1850. How did a small nation in north-west Europe develop an empire that at its height covered 25% of the world? Did Britain have an imperial strategy? If so, what was it? If Britain did not have an imperial strategy did the empire evolve through war, trade, religion or as a result of inspirational individuals?
What will we cover?
Defining the British Empire/the origins of the British Empire
Theories of Empire: exploring the meaning, motivations and methodology of Imperialism
The British and Ireland
The British in the Caribbean
The British in India
The Empire in Africa
Britain’s colonization of Australia
The British Empire and Canada
The British Empire and New Zealand
Conclusions
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Evaluate the origins of the British Empire
Explain key motivations for imperial expansion
Assess the impact of the British Empire on each colony, accounting for regional differences
Explain the impact of colonization on indigenous peoples
Assess the uses and abuses of labour forces in different colonies
Evaluate the impact of enslavement in and beyond the British colonies
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
A general interest in the history of the British Empire and a willingness to engage constructively in any class debates are the only requirements.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The sessions are delivered using PowerPoint, lecturer exposition, video, studying primary sources and group discussions/debates.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No. Pen and paper if you wish to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Colm's next courses on the British Empire will be:
An Intentional Empire? Imperialism and Colonialism 1850-1950 (Term 2)
A Fading Empire? Grandeur and Decline From Empire to Commonwealth 1950-2025 (Term 3)
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/an-accidental-empire-the-british-empire-1500-18502571640An Accidental Empire? The British Empire 1500-1850https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/n/an-accidental-empire-hwh229-square.jpg239239GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Global & imperial history22851177117812101228511771178<p>Join Colm Hickey to explore the history of the British Empire in the period 1500-1850. Overview sessions will be followed by the exploration of the history of different colonies around the Empire. </p>003030994An Accidental Empire? The British Empire 1500-1850239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/n/an-accidental-empire-hwh229-square_2.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-17T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH229239239An Accidental Empire? The British Empire 1500-1850191155239Colm Hickeyan-accidental-empire-the-british-empire-1500-1850/hwh229-2627<p>Join Colm Hickey to explore the history of the British Empire in the period 1500-1850. Overview sessions will be followed by the exploration of the history of different colonies around the Empire. </p>0000-Available|2026-09-17 00:00:00<p>This course is an exploration of the origins, growth and development of the British Empire from 1500 to 1850. How did a small nation in north-west Europe develop an empire that at its height covered 25% of the world? Did Britain have an imperial strategy? If so, what was it? If Britain did not have an imperial strategy did the empire evolve through war, trade, religion or as a result of inspirational individuals?</p><p>Join Colm Hickey to explore the history of the British Empire in the period 1500-1850. Overview sessions will be followed by the exploration of the history of different colonies around the Empire. </p><p>Defining the British Empire/the origins of the British Empire</p><p>Theories of Empire: exploring the meaning, motivations and methodology of Imperialism</p><p>The British and Ireland</p><p>The British in the Caribbean</p><p>The British in India</p><p>The Empire in Africa</p><p>Britain’s colonization of Australia</p><p>The British Empire and Canada</p><p>The British Empire and New Zealand</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Evaluate the origins of the British Empire</p><p>Explain key motivations for imperial expansion</p><p>Assess the impact of the British Empire on each colony, accounting for regional differences</p><p>Explain the impact of colonization on indigenous peoples </p><p>Assess the uses and abuses of labour forces in different colonies</p><p>Evaluate the impact of enslavement in and beyond the British colonies </p><p>A general interest in the history of the British Empire and a willingness to engage constructively in any class debates are the only requirements.</p>The sessions are delivered using PowerPoint, lecturer exposition, video, studying primary sources and group discussions/debates.No. Pen and paper if you wish to take notes.<p>Colm's next courses on the British Empire will be:</p><p>An Intentional Empire? Imperialism and Colonialism 1850-1950 (Term 2)</p><p>A Fading Empire? Grandeur and Decline From Empire to Commonwealth 1950-2025 (Term 3)</p>HistoryGlobal & imperial historyvirtual191239155HWH229NONEThu17/09/26 - 05/11/2610:15 - 12:1510:1512:158 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetColm HickeyBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-17T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities239239An Accidental Empire? The British Empire 1500-1850an-accidental-empire-the-british-empire-1500-1850/hwh229-2627<p>Join Colm Hickey to explore the history of the British Empire in the period 1500-1850.&nbsp;Overview sessions will be followed by the exploration of the history of different colonies around the Empire.&nbsp;</p>0000-Available|2026-09-17 00:00:00<p>This course is an exploration of the origins, growth and development of the British Empire from 1500 to 1850. How did a small nation in north-west Europe develop an empire that at its height covered 25% of the world? Did Britain have an imperial strategy? If so, what was it? If Britain did not have an imperial strategy did the empire evolve through war, trade, religion or as a result of inspirational individuals?</p><p>Join Colm Hickey to explore the history of the British Empire in the period 1500-1850.&nbsp;Overview sessions will be followed by the exploration of the history of different colonies around the Empire.&nbsp;</p><p>Defining the British Empire/the origins of the British Empire</p><p>Theories of Empire: exploring the meaning, motivations and methodology of Imperialism</p><p>The British and Ireland</p><p>The British in the Caribbean</p><p>The British in India</p><p>The Empire in Africa</p><p>Britain’s colonization of Australia</p><p>The British Empire and Canada</p><p>The British Empire and &nbsp;New Zealand</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Evaluate the origins of the British Empire</p><p>Explain key motivations for imperial expansion</p><p>Assess the impact of the British Empire on each colony, accounting for regional differences</p><p>Explain the impact of colonization on indigenous peoples&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Assess the uses and abuses of labour forces in different colonies</p><p>Evaluate the impact of enslavement in and beyond the British colonies&nbsp;</p><p>A general interest in the history of the British Empire and a willingness to engage constructively in any class debates are the only requirements.</p>The sessions are delivered using PowerPoint, lecturer exposition, video, studying primary sources and group discussions/debates.No. Pen and paper if you wish to take notes.<p>Colm's next courses on the British Empire will be:</p><p>An Intentional Empire?&nbsp; Imperialism and Colonialism 1850-1950 (Term 2)</p><p>A Fading Empire? Grandeur and Decline From Empire to Commonwealth 1950-2025 (Term 3)</p>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
