What can Liverpool’s Buildings tell us about the city’s links with the British Empire?

Did you know that Liverpool used to be called the ‘second city of the empire’ after London? This learning resource will allow pupils to explore the impact the British Empire had on the city of Liverpool, which can still be seen in its buildings and monuments today.

This resource was created in partnership with Dr Jody Crutchley, Liverpool Hope University, and Ailsa Fidler, Liverpool John Moores University, with input from the International Slavery Museum, Liverpool.

Pupils will begin by developing their knowledge and understanding of empires, and the British Empire specifically. Through an online, or in-person trail ‘We Need to Walk About Empire’, pupils will then find out about seven important sites on Liverpool’s waterfront, all of which serve as a tangible reminder of the city’s links with the British Empire.

Following the trail, pupils will be invited to recap and reflect on the learning and to carry out several activities to develop further their knowledge and understanding of the sites.

Please download and read the ‘Information for Teachers’ document before using any other resources on this page.

Downloads

Teaching idea

This learning resource was developed for use by teachers and their pupils in Key Stage 2. The information and activities in the resource could be easily adapted for use in the Key Stage 3 classroom.

At the heart of this resource is a history trail ‘We Need to Walk About Empire’. The trail starts and ends at Liverpool’s International Slavery Museum. It includes seven sites that shed light on Liverpool’s role as part of the British Empire and allows pupils to explore the impact that the British Empire had on the city, through the buildings and monuments that still stand today.

We envisage the trail will take about one hour but this will vary according to pupils and teachers involved. If you are unable to physically walk the trail, or you want to revisit the sites on the trail in class, there is also an online, StoryMap version of that trail

To support pupils and teachers on the trail, we have created the following resources:

In addition to the trail, there are several supporting resources:

  • Pre-trail ‘Empire, the British Empire and Liverpool’ PPT to develop pupils’ understanding of the concept of empire, and the scale and impact of the British Empire. This PowerPoint is designed to prepare pupils for the trail and to help them better understand the information provided on the trail.
  • Post trail ‘Recap and Reflect’ PPT allowing pupils to revisit their knowledge of the trail, and their understanding of key themes, as well as supporting them to make judgements on the main enquiry question.
  • Post Trail ‘Additional Activities’ PPT encouraging further exploration of the themes, people, and events on the trail.

This resource contains information about the oppression of people from countries that were part of the British Empire, including the enslavement of African people. The information in this resource may have a different impact on teachers and pupils depending on their links with the African diaspora, countries that were once part of the British Empire, and/or their experiences of past or ongoing oppression or trauma. Before using any of the resources on this trail, please download and read the “Information for Teachers” document.

Learning aims and outcomes

Pupils will

  • Develop an age and key-stage-appropriate knowledge and understanding of the concept of empire and the impact of the British Empire on Britain
  • Make links between the growth of Liverpool and the British Empire
  • Explore the impact that the British Empire had on Liverpool, which is still evident in its buildings and monuments today

Prior knowledge

  • It is helpful, but not essential, that pupils have knowledge of the features of other empires such as the Roman Empire.

Extended learning and useful links