Historic Themes

What themes are we looking at?

From Empire to Commonwealth - Once Britain had an Empire where it was said that 'The sun would never set'. However, it did set. How did it develop? Why did it decline? What are the effects and repercussions today?

Technological Transformation - The Industrial Revolution saw Britain become the 'Workshop of the World'. Who were the people who made this happen? What were the effects on people's lives of such developments as the spread of the railways?

Class members in a role-play about the pros and cons of building a new railway in the nineteenth century

World of Work - The Industrial Revolution led to huge changes in the way people worked. Exploitation led to pressure for laws to regulate hours and conditions and to the rise of the union movement. More recently deindustrialisation and the rise of the service-sector has meant major changes in people's lives.

Healthier Lives - The Nineteenth Century was a time with high mortality because of disease and epidemics. This threw down a challenge to develop new medicines and technology. Later, the National Health Service began in 1948 as a pillar of the welfare state.

Towards Equality - Full equality may still remain elusive for women, but progress has been made through various factors, including pioneers such as the suffragettes who demanded votes for women and through the effects of the two World Wars.

Mass Education - At the beginning of this period, education was for the privileged few. How did this situation change to achieve education for all? What are the issues which continue to dominate now?

Political Developments - At the beginning of this period, two parties dominated, the Whigs and the Tories. Now 'New Labour' has had a long period of power. What happened in between?