The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | Rise of the British Empire | North America
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North America covers a very large area, from the Arctic areas of Newfoundland to the
tropical lands of the Caribbean. Despite this, by the late 1700s British traders, soldiers,
sailors, administrators and settlers could be found all over this huge area.
So what drove English, Scots, Irish and Welsh men and women to travel across the
Atlantic?
Look at the background and the sources in this case study and see what you can discover
about their motives.
Use the Worksheet to record what you find out.
The Background will give you an introduction to the rise of the British empire in North America.
1. Complaint about tax on
sugar refining, 1691
2. Proposal to claim lands
for England, c.1690
3. English forts in North
America, 1699
4. Request from Native
Americans for guns, 1752
5. Report on growing silk
in Georgia, 1752
6. Report on the Seven
Years War, 1759
7. Plans for a British
citadel, Quebec, 1767
8. Extract from the
Townshend Acts, 1767
9. British map of America,
1757
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The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | Rise of the British Empire | North America | Source 1
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Complaint about duties on sugar refining in 1691
(PRO ref: CO 5/1 f64,67,68)
1a
1b
1c
Study this source carefully. Different
parts of the source will contain clues
about why the British became empire
builders in North America. As you study
the source, ask yourself:
●
●
●
●
How does this source suggest that
sugar was important to Britain’s
wealth?
This was a pamphlet published in
order to influence Parliament.
What does this suggest about the
influence of the sugar refiners?
What impression do you get from
this source about the importance
of sugar in the economy?
Does this source suggest that
trade was an important factor in
Britain owning an empire?
Background | Worksheet
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http://learningcurve.pro.gov.uk/empire/g1/cs1/g1cs1s1a.htm [11/09/2003 16:18:16]
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Source 1a
Complaint about duties on sugar refining in 1691
(PRO ref: CO 5/1 f64,67,68)
Source 1b
Complaint about duties on sugar refining in 1691
PRO ref: CO 5/1 f64,67,68)
Source 1c
Complaint about duties on sugar refining in 1691
(PRO ref: CO 5/1 f64,67,68)
The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | Rise of the British Empire | North America | Source 2
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Proposal to claim lands in America for the English Crown, c.1690
(PRO ref: CO 5/1 f48)
2b
2a
Study this source carefully. Different parts of the source will contain clues about why the British became empire
builders in North America. As you study the source, ask yourself:
●
●
●
●
●
Where is the land the English want to take control of?
What is the proposal suggesting that the English should do?
How will control of this land by the English affect the French?
Is controlling this land worth fighting the French for?
Is the main motive here trade, or rivalry with the French, or is it impossible to say?
Background | Worksheet
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Source 2a
Proposal to claim lands in America for the English Crown, c.1690
(PRO ref: CO 5/1 f64,67,68)
Source 2b
Proposal to claim lands in America for the English Crown, c.1690
(PRO ref: CO 5/1 f48)
The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | Rise of the British Empire | North America | Source 3
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English forts in North America in 1699
(PRO ref: CO 700 New Hampshire 3)
3b
3a
Study this source carefully. Different parts of the source will contain clues about why the British became empire
builders in North America. As you study the source, ask yourself:
●
●
●
●
Does the source suggest that the English had to defend their possessions?
This fort is a major building. What does that tell you about the English commitment to their lands in North
America?
Is it important that the fort is by the sea?
Is it possible to say from this source why the British became empire builders?
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http://learningcurve.pro.gov.uk/empire/g1/cs1/g1cs1s3a.htm [11/09/2003 16:36:17]
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Source 3a
English forts in North America in 1699
(PRO ref: CO 700 New Hampshire 3)
Source 3b
English forts in North America in 1699
(PRO ref: CO 700 New Hampshire 3)
The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | Rise of the British Empire | North America | Source 4
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A request from the Twightwee Native Americans to the British government for weapons and supplies in 1752
(PRO ref: T 1/348/120)
4b
4a
4c
Study this source carefully. Different parts of the source will contain clues about why the British became empire
builders in North America. As you study the source, ask yourself:
●
●
●
●
What is the relationship between the Twightwee and the British?
What are the Twightwee asking for?
Why do they need these materials from the British?
Does this source suggest any reasons why the British were in North America?
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Source 4a
A request from the Twightwee Native Americans to the British government for weapons and supplies in 1752
(PRO ref: T 1/348/120)
Source 4b
A request from the Twightwee Native Americans to the British government for weapons and supplies in 1752
(PRO ref: T 1/348/120)
Source 4c
A request from the Twightwee Native Americans to the British government for weapons and supplies in 1752
(PRO ref: T 1/348/120)
The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | Rise of the British Empire | North America | Source 5
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Extract from a 1752 report on growing silk in the North American colony of Georgia
(PRO ref: T 1/348/126)
5b
5a
Study this source carefully. Different parts of the source will contain clues about why the British became empire
builders in North America. As you study the source, ask yourself:
●
●
●
●
What is this report about?
Does it strike you as strange that leading government officials and possibly even the king might be reading a
report on silkworms and mulberry trees?
One thousand pounds was a huge amount of money in 1752. What does this suggest about the importance of
the silk trade?
Does this source provide any clues about the reasons why the British were in North America?
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Source 5a
Extract from a 1752 report on growing silk in the North American colony of Georgia
(PRO ref: T 1/348/126)
Source 5b
Extract from a 1752 report on growing silk in the North American colony of Georgia
(PRO ref: T 1/348/126)
The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | Rise of the British Empire | North America | Source 6
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A report written in September 1759 by a British army officer commenting on developments in the Seven Years War
(PRO ref: WO 55/283)
Study this source carefully. Different parts of the source will contain clues about why the British became empire
builders in North America. As you study the source, ask yourself:
●
●
●
●
How many British troops are in North America, according to this letter?
What does this tell you about how important America was to the British?
Whom do you think the British were fighting?
Does this source provide any clues about the reasons why the British were in North America?
Background | Worksheet
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The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | Rise of the British Empire | North America | Source 7
Home > Gallery > Case Study > Source
Plans for Quebec citadel, 1767
(PRO ref: MPG 1/420)
Study this source carefully. Different parts of the source will contain clues about why the British became empire
builders in North America. As you study the source, ask yourself:
●
●
●
A citadel is a fortress. Does this suggest that the planned fortress will be strong?
What uses do you think the British would have for this fortress?
Does this source provide any clues about the reasons why the British were in North America?
Background | Worksheet
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http://learningcurve.pro.gov.uk/empire/g1/cs1/g1cs1s7.htm
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The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | Rise of the British Empire | North America | Source 8
Home > Gallery > Case Study > Source
Extract from British laws called the Townshend Acts, passed in 1767
(House of Lords Record Office: HL/PO/PU/1/1766/7G3n172)
Study this source carefully. Different
parts of the source will contain clues
about why the British became empire
builders in North America. As you study
the source, ask yourself:
●
●
●
●
What goods have duties placed on
them?
Which goods are coming to
America and coming from
America?
What are the main aims of the
British government in passing this
act?
Does this source provide any clues
about the reasons why the British
were in North America?
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The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | Rise of the British Empire | North America | Source 9
Home > Gallery > Case Study > Source
British map of North America produced in 1757
(PRO ref: CO 700 America North and South 31A, 31B)
9b
9a
9c
9d
9e
Study this source carefully. Different parts of the source will contain clues about why the British became empire
builders in North America. As you study the source, ask yourself:
●
●
●
●
Is this map designed simply to show people the geography of North America?
There are many features shown in the map, but rivers and waterfalls get a great deal of attention. Why do
you think this is?
The map details the lands lived in by the many different Native American peoples. Why does it do this?
What does the commentary on the map suggest about the purpose of the map?
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Source 9a
British map of North America produced in 1757
(PRO ref: CO 700 America North and South 31A, 31B)
Source 9b
Detail from British map of North America produced in 1757
(PRO ref: CO 700 America North and South 31A, 31B)
Source 9c
Detail from British map of North America produced in 1757
(PRO ref: CO 700 America North and South 31A, 31B)
Source 9d
Detail from British map of North America produced in 1757
(PRO ref: CO 700 America North and South 31A, 31B)
Source 9e
Detail from British map of North America produced in 1757
(PRO ref: CO 700 America North and South 31A, 31B)