Lesson 3A: From Rule Britannia to Cool Britannia

Text 1
This line from the famous 18^th-century patriotic song describes what Britain had achieved by the end of Queen Victoria’s reign: an enormous British Empire. It had more than 25 per cent of the globe under its rule! The colonies were very important for trade. Britain took raw materials such as sugar, rice, cotton and wood from these countries and sold them as products such as textiles and furniture. But what legacy has the Empire left behind? The English language has become a world language. It’s the mother tongue in nine countries, and many other countries use it as their official second language. It certainly makes communication easier, but some smaller countries have taken steps to protect their language from its influence. The Empire also brought a system of public education to indigenous people who were often illiterate. Some former colonies, such as Australia and New Zealand, still have similar school systems to Britain’s. Driving on the left, football, cricket and rugby are some other examples of how British culture and traditions have influenced these countries. Even some flags still show their shared history with Britain! However, this influence wasn’t a one-way street. British culture, in return, has become richer thanks to the people and traditions of the countries it used to colonise.

Text 2
Salman Rushdie, a well-known British-Indian author, has come up with this expression for the people from former colonies moving to Britain. The Empire started falling apart during the first half of the 20^th century. Country after country welcomed its independence. For some, it was difficult to find their own national identity after years of British rule. Still, most of these countries have decided to join the Commonwealth of Nations. This group was founded within the Empire in 1931, but it now consists of 54 independent countries. Queen Elizabeth II has said that all the countries and the different traditions they bring to the Commonwealth make it a strong community. Since it was founded, thousands of people from former colonies have moved to Britain for work and education, and in search of a better life. They have brought their culture and traditions with them and have helped create a multicultural Britain. Fashion, food, music, festivals and different customs from around the globe have enriched British culture. If you want to explore the cultural diversity of the British, a good way to do so is to look at the food they eat. Forget about fish and chips: curry has become Britain’s national dish! You can also participate in various events all over the UK that show the many faces of the people that make up Britain as we know it today.

How to explore the British Museum from home