Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about Empire's Children. If you can't find the information you need below, or if you want to give feedback on any aspect of Empire's Children, please email our editorial team at empireschildren@channel4.com
Frequently asked questions'Empire's Children' is a Channel 4 television series which explores the final days of the British Empire and examines its legacy, revealing the imperial backgrounds of six British celebrities.
The shows airs on Channel 4 at 9pm, Monday nights, starting on 2 July 2007.
The running order is as follows: Diana Rigg; Shobna Gulati; David Steel; Chris Bisson; Jenny Eclair; Adrian Lester
'The British Empire Strikes Back' is a More4 TV series. In it the six celebrities featured in 'Empire's Children' take a witty look at the way the Empire has shaped modern Britain, from festivals to fashion and from curries to the Citizenship Test.
The British Empire was a network of territories, colonies, dependencies and protectorates built up over a period of three centuries. The Empire operated under the administration of the British government and under the sovereignty of the crown. Britain's relationship with the various territories varied over time. Some were primarily military bases, while in others large-scale colonisation took place.
There were two main periods of expansion. During the first, Britain established control in parts of modern day Canada, North America, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and the Indian subcontinent. Following the American Declaration of Independence in 1776, British expansion into Asia and Africa brought the Empire further wealth. This was often at the expense and suffering of native peoples.
Although most countries fought for, and won, their independence during the mid-twentieth century, relationships with Britain were frequently preserved. The British Nationality Act of 1948 ensured that all subjects of the Commonwealth and the Empire held British passports so they could move and work in the UK. There was significant migration, in particular from India, Pakistan and countries of the Caribbean, to fill the labour shortage in Britain following the Second World War.
The British Empire was the most extensive in the world. Over the course of three centuries it included territories on all continents and comprised about a quarter of the world's population and area, an estimated 458 million people and over 35 million square kilometres of land.
The British Empire was the most extensive Empire in world history in terms of both area and population. It included territories in all continents, including Antarctica. The area covered by the Empire changed as territories were gained and lost and as government systems evolved.
Around eighty different territories and countries came under British control at some point in their history. Putting a precise figure on the number of countries is not possible as areas considered part of the Empire by some historians may not be by others. The Empire reached its greatest extent during the first decades of the twentieth century.
The British Empire evolved over a period of time so it is difficult to attribute a date, or even a period, to its beginning. Historians tend to link the start of the Empire to key events. Some argue that its roots stretch back as far as the twelfth century, when the Normans went to Ireland.
For others, the origins of the Empire date from the Age of Discovery in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Chartered companies, encouraged by the crown, began to establish trading monopolies over certain geographic areas. It was during this time that large-scale British colonisation of Ireland began.
During the fifteenth century, Henry VII gave financial assistance to the Bristol-based Venetian explorer John Cabot in his exploration of the coast of North America, and this event is also sometimes said to mark the start of the Empire.
The period of British exploration and expansion into North America, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and India at the end of the sixteenth century, sometimes known as the 'First British Empire', is the date from which Britain began to acquire overseas territory on a large scale.
There is no date on which the Empire is said officially to have ended. Growing demands for independence, the impact of two world wars and shifting attitudes towards colonial rule meant that, shortly after reaching its height in the first half of the twentieth century, the Empire began its decline.
Some historians date the end to 1931, when the Commonwealth was created. Others argue that India's independence in 1947 marked the beginning of the end. Within 20 years of this date the Empire had all but crumbled, and most of those countries still governed by Britain were well advanced towards self-government.
The abortive 1956 Suez venture, which marked Britain's loss of control over the vital shipping route through the Suez Canal, can also be seen as a key moment in the closing days of the Empire.
By the end of the 1960s only a handful of territories remained under British control. Today just fourteen remain, known since 2002 as the British Overseas Territories. Britain's entry into the European Economic Community in 1973 saw the strengthening of ties within Europe and the end of trading links with some former allies and partners across the Commonwealth.
There are 14 British Overseas Territories. They mainly have internal self-government, but the British government retains responsibility for their defence and foreign relations. They are: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, St Helena (including Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha), St Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus.
Both terms generate much debate in political and historical circles. The Empire preceded the Commonwealth. Territories of the Empire were often acquired, and sometimes governed, by force. The Commonwealth was, and still is, a voluntary association often viewed as a legacy of the Empire.
The Commonwealth was established as a free association of equal partners. Originally set up as the Commonwealth of Nations in 1931, it was a voluntary association and recognised the independent and equal status of former Dominions. As it developed over time, the Commonwealth was not bound by rules but members subscribed to a number of declarations advocating common standards.
From the outset, membership of the Commonwealth was open to any independent state which had been ruled or administered by Britain and recognised the Queen as the Head of the Commonwealth. Mozambique, which was controlled by Portugal but joined the Commonwealth in 1995, is an exception.
Today there are 53 members of the Commonwealth. Links between Commonwealth countries are developed through informal systems, such as teacher-training schemes and environmental projects, as well as through governmental systems. Member countries also seek to improve human rights and work for the social and economic development of poorer nations.
The Empire was ruled under the sovereignty of the crown and run by a vast administration of officials, both in Britain and in the colonies.
Some territories were Crown colonies run by a governor, who was appointed by a British cabinet member: the Secretary of State for the Colonies or the Colonial Secretary. In London there were two ministries: the India Office and the Colonial Office.
In the Crown Colonies, all posts were filled by members of the British Colonial service. However, in some territories, such as India, there was a system of 'indirect rule'. In these areas, local rulers were 'advised' by a British official, a system which also operated in Nigeria and Uganda.
In the Crown colonies, each territory had its own civil service. The positions, titles and numbers of staff varied from area to area. Colonial service positions included District Commissioner (DC), District Officer (DO), Assistant District Commissioner (ADC) and numerous other administrative roles. Salaries of the Colonial Service were paid by the British government.
There were three types of posts: firstly, those appointed by the Secretary of State or central government; secondly, those appointed by the governor but needing approval by the Secretary of State; thirdly, those appointed by the governor or local department. These were mainly held by British nationals, with natives restricted to lower-ranking posts.
Initially the governor appointed a Legislative Council which was group of officials who assisted him in making laws. As colonies moved towards independence the governor reduced his power. Generally, as this happened, more native members were appointed to the Legislative Council by the governor and were subsequently elected.
The governor appointed native members as ministers. Eventually, the title of the governor changed to governor-general, a figurehead who represented the British monarch, but acted only on the advice of the local government. The governor-general still had control of the military and the police and was allowed to enforce power in extreme circumstances. Once a colony became independent, the British officials generally returned to Britain.
Celebrity stories will be available once the relevant episode has been broadcast. You can keep track of the next episode to air by checking the homepage. Trails can be viewed through the celebrity link on the homepage. Broadcast dates for upcoming episodes can be found by clicking on 'View other Empire Stories' at the top of the homepage, and then clicking on the relevant celebrity.
At the moment, histories, stories and research guides are available for a limited range of countries. The aim of the site is to create a unique body of material about the British Empire, for the most part written by those who experienced it. Anyone with a comment or story relating to the British Empire is welcome to contribute. If you would like to contribute a comment or article, you need to register on the site.
Use the 'Research your Empire Story' button at the top of the home page. Select the relevant Empire country to get country-specific tips on how to research your family history. Each article includes links that take you to specific resources and forums. Tracing your family's Empire story can be a fascinating but lengthy process, so if you have found anything particularly helpful or have any additional tips, please post your comments so that other users can benefit.s
You will need to register to tell your Empire story. In order to register, click the 'Register' button at the top of the page and fill in the form as instructed. The website will take you through the process of adding your own story and any associated photographs, sound or video clips.
You can read histories of individual countries on the website by clicking on the 'Country Histories' link at the top of the page. The countries covered will increase over time. These histories are intended to provide an overview and a starting point for further research.
There are numerous books, articles and collections available. As with any vast subject, it is best to identify the specific area that interests you first. If you have found a book which is particularly useful and relates to an article on the website, do post a comment so that other users can benefit. If you would likely to research more deeply into your subject, books by university publishers can be a useful starting point.
You will need to register to post comments. In order to register, click the 'Register' button at the top of the page and fill in the form as instructed. Comments cannot contain line breaks or HTML.
Once registered, it is easy to comment on material on the site. Each article has a comments section. The 'Add a Comment' button, which you will find at the bottom right of each article, enables you to comment on that particular article. Just type your comments into the box and click 'Post Comment'.
Only the website administrators are able to delete a comment.
First register by pressing the 'Register' button at the top of the page and filling in the form as instructed. Report inappropriate comments by clicking on the 'Report Abuse' link found at the top of each article. Describe the inappropriate comments and their location on the site in the box provided and click the 'Send' button. Your comments will be sent to the site administrators.
It may take some time for the website administrators to reply to every email received. Please be assured that emails with be dealt with as quickly as possible.
If you are experiencing any problems with the website please email empireschildren@channel4.com
It is not possible to email the celebrities directly.
