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Why were empires important?

Canadian poster appealing for people to join the armed forces in World War One

The war involved people from all over the world.

Great Britain, Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary all ruled empires. Their colonies sent supplies, food and soldiers to help in the war effort.

Britain's colonies sent over two and a half million men to fight for Britain during the war.

India sent the most soldiers. At that time, India included both Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Colonies as far away as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Rhodesia (which is now Zimbabwe) also sent thousands of soldiers.

That meant that Britain had soldiers from five different continents: Europe, North America, Australasia, Asia and Africa.

Canadian poster appealing for people to join the armed forces in World War One
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Which British Empire countries sent soldiers?

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 5, Indian soldiers serving with the British Army at camp during World War One, India Indian soldiers serving with the British Army at camp.
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The Royal Family

Postcard showing King George V offering thanks to the Army and Navy, Christmas 1918
Image caption,
Postcard showing King George V offering thanks to the Army and Navy, Christmas 1918.
Portraits of Queen Mary and King George V sent to British Armed Forces Christmas 1914
Image caption,
Official portraits of Queen Mary and King George V in 1914.

The British Empire was ruled by the Royal Family. It鈥檚 the same family that reigns today and the King at the time was Queen Elizabeth II鈥檚 Grandfather.

During the war, the Royal Family changed its surname from 'Saxe-Coburg-Gotha' to 'Windsor', which sounded more British.

George V was related to the leaders of Russia, Germany and other European royalty. The name change helped to separate him from them.

Other British royals played a part in the war:

  • Princess Mary worked as a nurse. For Christmas 1914, she helped arrange for a tin containing tobacco or sweets to be sent to every man in the armed forces.

  • Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) served in France as a Staff Officer. He was awarded the Military Cross and in 1918 learned to fly. But he was banned from combat in case he was captured by the German Army.

  • Prince Albert (later King George VI) served in the Navy and Army. He was not heir to the throne at the time so was allowed to take part in combat.

Many people across the Empire looked to the Royal Family, especially King George V, to inspire them and help them to understand why they were fighting.

Portraits of Queen Mary and King George V sent to British Armed Forces Christmas 1914
Image caption,
Official portraits of Queen Mary and King George V in 1914.
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How many soldiers from the British Empire served?

World War One soldiers in silhouette loading a weapon

From 'The Statistics of the Military Effort of the British Empire during the Great War 1914-1920':

  • Britain: 5,000,000
  • India: 1,440,437
  • Canada: 628,964
  • Australia: 412,953
  • South Africa: 136,070
  • New Zealand: 128,825
  • Other colonies: 134,837
World War One soldiers in silhouette loading a weapon
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How were soldiers from the Empire treated?

Indian soldiers serving with the British Army engage in a friendly boxing match circa 1916.
Image caption,
Indian soldiers engage in a friendly boxing match circa, 1916.

Given that soldiers from around the world came to help in the war effort, you might think that they would be treated with gratitude and at the very least fairly. Sadly, because of what we now call racist views that were held by many in Britain at the time, this wasn鈥檛 always the case.

In some ways, the soldiers were treated well. They were allowed to practise their religion and eat according to their beliefs. However, they were not allowed to train as officers and white English nurses were not allowed to treat Indian soldiers.

When the war ended, India was not allowed to govern itself. Restrictions were placed on the press and people鈥檚 ability to speak freely under the Rowlatt Act. Eventually, in 1947, it did gain independence from Great Britain.

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Independence

British South Africa Police with their troops in Rhodesia in World War One
Image caption,
Commanding officers of the Rhodesian volunteers with their troops.

The colonies fought hard to help Britain in the war. But they questioned if they deserved a chance to rule themselves with their own governments.

Britain saw how much these colonies helped during the war and decided that some could be given more freedom once the war ended.

This was a step towards some countries gaining independence.

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How were the soldiers remembered?

The Canadian Volunteers known as The Moose Jaw Legion of Frontiersmen in 1914
Image caption,
The Canadian Volunteers known as The Moose Jaw Legion of Frontiersmen in 1914.

Sadly, the role of the Indian army was not given the same level of publicity as Australian, Canadian or South African soldiers. Their story was largely forgotten from history. With recent work, this is changing so people are becoming more likely to know about the bravery of soldiers from across the empire.

Even though most of the fighting happened in Europe, it's clear to see the impact of the war on people all over the world.

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Activities

Activity 1: Quiz 鈥 Empires during World War One

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Activity 2: History Explorer game

Play this game to test your knowledge and learn even more facts about World War One.

History Explorer: Secrets through time

History Explorer: Secrets through time: KS2 History

History Explorer: Secrets through time
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Bitesize Primary games. game

Play fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art, computing and modern languages.

Bitesize Primary games
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