AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Imperialist ideals; popular culture; representations of empire
Full specification wording
1J The British Empire, c1857–1967 – Imperialism challenged, 1914–1947 (A-level only): Imperialist ideals; popular culture; representations of empire
Between 1914 and 1947, imperialist ideals shifted from aggressive jingoism towards concepts of 'trusteeship' and colonial development, framing the Empire as a mutually beneficial partnership.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 5 of 6
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1914 and 1947, imperialist ideals shifted from aggressive jingoism towards concepts of 'trusteeship' and colonial development, framing the Empire as a mutually beneficial partnership. These ideals permeated popular culture through new mass media. Cinema popularised imperial adventure with films like 'Sanders of the River' (1935), while the BBC's Empire Service and the King's Christmas broadcasts fostered a shared imperial identity. Representations of empire were actively managed to promote unity and trade. The 1924–25 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley attracted 27 million visitors, showcasing colonial resources. Similarly, the Empire Marketing Board (1926–1933) used striking poster campaigns to encourage the public to 'Buy Empire Goods', embedding a sanitised, consumer-focused vision of colonialism into everyday British life.
What earns the marks
- Explain the shift in imperialist ideals from pre-war jingoism to inter-war concepts of 'trusteeship' and colonial development.
- Analyse the role of popular culture, particularly cinema and BBC radio, in sustaining public interest and pride in the Empire.
- Evaluate how representations of empire, such as the 1924-25 Wembley Exhibition, were used to promote imperial unity and commerce.
- Assess the impact of the Empire Marketing Board's campaigns on shaping domestic attitudes towards colonial trade.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming imperialist ideals remained static and jingoistic after WWI.
Put it right: Note the shift towards 'trusteeship' and the moral justification of developing colonies for mutual benefit.
Overlooking the role of new media in popular culture.
Put it right: Explicitly discuss the impact of cinema and BBC radio broadcasts in disseminating imperial themes.
Confusing the 1924 Wembley Exhibition with pre-war events.
Put it right: Focus on inter-war representations like Wembley and the Empire Marketing Board (1926-1933).
Exam tips
- Use the Empire Marketing Board as a concrete example of how the government actively tried to shape representations of empire to boost trade.
- Discuss how films like 'The Four Feathers' or 'Sanders of the River' reflected and reinforced imperialist ideals in popular culture.
- Link the concept of 'trusteeship' to broader political changes, showing how imperial justifications adapted to the post-WWI climate.
Try the lesson
The start of the 1J The British Empire, c1857–1967 – Imperialism challenged, 1914–1947 (A-level only): Imperialist ideals; popular culture; representations of empire lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
How was the British Empire predominantly represented in children's literature and youth movements like the Boy Scouts during the period 1890–1914?
Listen
Between 1914 and 1947, imperialist ideals shifted from aggressive jingoism towards concepts of 'trusteeship' and colonial development, framing the Empire as a mutually beneficial partnership. These ideals permeated popular culture through new mass media. Cinema popularised imperial adventure with films like 'Sanders of the River' (1935), while the BBC's Empire Service and the King's Christmas broadcasts fostered a shared imperial identity. Representations of empire were actively managed to promote unity and trade. The 1924–25 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley attracted 27 million visitors, showcasing colonial resources. Similarly, the Empire Marketing Board (1926–1933) used striking poster campaigns to encourage the public to 'Buy Empire Goods', embedding a sanitised, consumer-focused vision of colonialism into everyday British life. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the shift in imperialist ideals from pre-war jingoism to inter-war concepts of 'trusteeship' and colonial development. Analyse the role of popular culture, particularly cinema and BBC radio, in sustaining public interest and pride in the Empire. Evaluate how representations of empire, such as the 1924-25 Wembley Exhibition, were used to promote imperial unity and commerce. Assess the impact of the Empire Marketing Board's campaigns on shaping domestic attitudes towards colonial trade. A common slip: Assuming imperialist ideals remained static and jingoistic after WWI. Instead, Note the shift towards 'trusteeship' and the moral justification of developing colonies for mutual benefit. Exam tip: Use the Empire Marketing Board as a concrete example of how the government actively tried to shape representations of empire to boost trade.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. British Empire Exhibition at Wembley showcases colonial resources
- 2. Film 'Sanders of the River' popularises imperial adventure
- 3. Empire Marketing Board begins poster campaigns urging public to buy Empire goods
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Trusteeship and colonial development
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Mass media and popular culture
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Imperial propaganda and exhibitions
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Consumerism and the Empire
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Trusteeship and colonial development
- Inter-war concept framing the Empire as a mutually beneficial partnership, with a moral justification of developing colonies for mutual benefit.
- Mass media and popular culture
- New media through which imperialist ideals permeated popular culture, including cinema and BBC radio broadcasts.
- Imperial propaganda and exhibitions
- Representations of empire actively managed to promote unity and trade, such as the 1924–25 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley.
- Consumerism and the Empire
- A sanitised, consumer-focused vision of colonialism embedded into everyday British life, encouraging the public to 'Buy Empire Goods'.
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