Life under the British Empire

-Dhivyah, Aventhika, Ha and Neevetha

By the end of the First World War, Britain’s empire stretched across the world.

Britain had colonies in every continent. Britain regarded its empire with pride.

Britain liked to think that life in its empire was orderly and civilised. They

thought they were involved in bringing modern developments to the diverse

people under its rule.

However, life under the British flag was not always easy…

Who were the rulers?

• Local non-British people had little opportunity to take part in government. In fact, by the time of World War One, the empire was divided into white and non-white areas. Colonies with large white populations were given the chance to rule themselves within the empire.

• These included Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. However these colonies contained non-white populations. These were treated as second class citizens. They could not vote or take part in government.

• Colonies without large white populations were ruled directly from London. British officers were sent to India, Africa and West Indies to govern the local population.

Bringing civilisation?• Being a part of the British Empire clearly brought some benefits to

the governed. Britain built the railway system in India, which transformed internal travel. The introduction of postal services, telegraph and telephone systems brought modern communications to much of the empire.

• The use of English as the empire’s ‘universal’ language allowed people from different corners of the empire to talk to each other.

Exploiting the people of the Empire?

• Many non white people of the empire suffered. Native Americans in Canada and Maoris in New Zealand lost lands to white settlers. The Aborigines of Australia saw an attempt to destroy their way of life.

• Many people in the empire were forced to work for British-owned companies in poor working and living conditions. The worst exploitation was in the West Indies, where slavery of black people was allowed until 1833. After the end of slavery, black West Indians still worked for low pay planations.

• In India, many people worked in poor conditions producing cotton for Britain.

The natives fight back!

• By 1918, opposition to British rule began to grow. In India, western-educated Indians formed the Indian National Congress to demand self-government for Indians within the empire.

• In Ireland, nationals also wanted the same, known as Home rule.

• In South Africa many Dutch speakers revolted against British rule.

• Also in South Africa, just before World War One, black people formed the African National Congress to campaign for civil rights.