This document introduces a unit on studying the British Empire by posing questions about four sets of related images depicting connections between Britain and other parts of the world through traded goods like sugar, tobacco, spices and slaves. It will examine why Britain established an empire, whether they should be proud or ashamed given negatives like slavery and racism versus positives like freedom and equality, and why still important to study its impact on issues today in countries like the UK, USA, Asia, Middle East and Africa.