Schools spark FURY as they claim 'British Empire should be presented like Nazi Germany'

Teachers were specifically advised to present the British Empire to secondary school pupils like Nazi Germany.

It was argued that the British Empire was a power that “committed atrocities”.

The “anti-racism curriculum review” guidance was created by The Key, which began as a Government pilot and now provides teaching resources to more than 100,000 school leaders.

Guidance seen by The Telegraph states that teachers should “teach colonialism as ‘invading and exploiting’ other countries, and present the British Empire as you would other global powers that committed atrocities, eg Nazi Germany”.

Over its 400-year history, the British Empire practiced and later abolished slavery.

Nazi Germany instigated the deaths of around six million Jews during the Holocaust.

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The guidance also advises teachers to tell pupils about the “contributions and achievements” of figures like Crimean War nurse Mary Seacole, and the Oba of Benin.

The Oba ruled Benin and generated wealth through the sales of African slaves.

“Don’t ignore the racism of historical figures such as Winston Churchill or the prejudices against black people expressed by Mahatma Gandhi – be upfront about their problematic views and the historical context that allowed them to go unchallenged,” the guidance told teachers.

Dr Alka Sehgal-Cuthbert, author and director of the campaign group Don’t Divide Us, which has pushed for political impartiality in education, said: “The idea that Britain was a global power akin to the Nazis is a particularly radical socio-cultural belief held by a minority of people for whom the British nation, in particular, can only be a source of moral sin and political depredation.”

Ex-Margaret Thatcher aide Nile Gardiner added: “The British-hating loony Left should be kept far away from the UK education system.

“The huge achievements of the British Empire, including the defeat of slavery and Nazi Germany, should be taught with great pride in British schools.”

Professor Richard Tombs also claimed: “It is a glaring self-contradiction that the document compares the Empire to Nazi Germany and yet wishes to celebrate the many colonial soldiers who voluntarily fought for the Empire.”

A social media user added: “This is complete insanity. These zealots must not be allowed anywhere near the history curriculum.”