5: Maxim Force | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

Duration: 49'28''

Synopsis

The 'scramble for Africa' by competing European nations during the last years of Queen Victoria's reign is the compelling tale of this programme.

Further Information

More clips from Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

1: Why Britain? | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

1: Why Britain? | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

Channel 4 | 2003 | 48'27''

In this programme we learn about the origins of the British empire in the 17th century and how its foundations we...

2: White Plague | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

2: White Plague | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

Channel 4 | 2003 | 49'15''

The concept of 'plantation' is explored in this programme, referring not to crops but the settlement of British p...

3: The Mission | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

3: The Mission | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

Channel 4 | 2003 | 49'06''

Following the religious revival that started in the late 18th century, missionaries began working in Africa and In...

4: Heaven's Breed | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

4: Heaven's Breed | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

Channel 4 | 2003 | 49'08''

In this programme we discover how a few thousand British people ruled over India, a country of more than 250 mi...

6: Empire for Sale | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

6: Empire for Sale | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

Channel 4 | 2003 | 49'09''

The fall of the British empire is usually attributed to nationalist groups fighting for independence, yet as N...

More resources about Empire and colonies

Slave plantation system | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

Slave plantation system | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

BBC Two | 2015 | 4'09''

David Olusoga discusses the slave plantation system in the Caribbean.

The beginnings of the British slave trade | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

The beginnings of the British slave trade | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

BBC Two | 2015 | 3'23''

David Olusoga investigates the beginnings of the British slave trade in Barbados.

Charles Wootton | Black and British: A Forgotten History

Charles Wootton | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 4'19''

David Olusoga discusses racial violence in Liverpool.

Where did the slavery compensation money end up? | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

Where did the slavery compensation money end up? | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

BBC Two | 2015 | 4'14''

David Olusoga explains how the profits of slavery shaped the world we know today.

Implements of torture | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

Implements of torture | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

BBC Two | 2015 | 2'47''

David Olusoga views the implements of torture that slave owners used to enforce the slave plantation system.

6: Age of Empire | Seven Ages of Britain

6: Age of Empire | Seven Ages of Britain

BBC HD | 2010 | 59'10''

David Dimbleby travels through Britain, America and India, tracing the British Empire from 1750 to 1900.

Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

BBC Two | 2015 | 59'21''

In 1834 Britain abolished slavery, a defining and celebrated moment in our national history. What has been largely forgotten is that aboliti...

Bunce Island | Black and British: A Forgotten History

Bunce Island | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 4'59''

David Olusoga visits Bunce Island, where the first slave fortress was built in the 17th century.

Morant Bay Rebellion | Black and British: A Forgotten History

Morant Bay Rebellion | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 4'38''

David Olusoga discusses the legacy of the slave trade in Jamaica in the decades after abolition.

01: Heart of Oak | Empire of the Seas: How the Navy Forged the Modern World

01: Heart of Oak | Empire of the Seas: How the Navy Forged the Modern World

BBC Two | 2010 | 59'33''

Dan Snow charts the role the Royal Navy played in Britain's development. How victory over the Arm...

4: Heaven's Breed | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

4: Heaven's Breed | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

Channel 4 | 2003 | 49'08''

In this programme we discover how a few thousand British people ruled over India, a country of more than 250 mi...

First English traders in West Africa | Black and British: A Forgotten History

First English traders in West Africa | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 5'41''

David Olusoga investigates the first English traders in West Africa.

Jamestown colony | Empire with David Olusoga

Jamestown colony | Empire with David Olusoga

BBC Two | 2025 | 8'42''

In Jamestown, David looks at evidence of the first English colonies in the Americas and their tobacco plantations.

John Blanke | Black and British: A Forgotten History

John Blanke | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 5'12''

David Olusoga discusses Catherine of Aragon's black servants.

Shifting historical opinions on the British Empire | A Timewatch Guide

Shifting historical opinions on the British Empire | A Timewatch Guide

BBC Four | 2017 | 5'58''

David Olusoga explains how historical perspectives of the British Empire have shifted through time.

Slave owner compensation arguments | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

Slave owner compensation arguments | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

BBC Two | 2015 | 3'02''

David Olusoga discusses the arguments used by slave owners when fighting for compensation.

First slave society in Barbados | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

First slave society in Barbados | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

BBC Two | 2015 | 4'09''

David Olusoga discusses the first slave society in Barbados.

Lancashire cotton famine | Black and British: A Forgotten History

Lancashire cotton famine | Black and British: A Forgotten History

BBC Two | 2016 | 5'38''

David Olusoga explains how the American civil war caused a cotton famine in Lancashire.

Slave owner propaganda tactics | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

Slave owner propaganda tactics | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

BBC Two | 2015 | 6'07''

David Olusoga discusses the tactics used by slave owners against the abolitionist.

Transportation of Convicts to Australia | Empire with David Olusoga

Transportation of Convicts to Australia | Empire with David Olusoga

BBC Two | 2025 | 9'41''

David explains how Britian sent their problem convicts abroad to the colonies for cheap labour, and many ...