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British Empire - 4. The Winds of Change 1947-1967 > 1. Decolonisation in Africa and Asia > Flashcards

1. Decolonisation in Africa and Asia Flashcards

1
Q

Which British possessions gained their independence in the immediate aftermath of WW2?

A

India
Pakistan
Burma
Ceylon
Palestine

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2
Q

Why didn’t more colonies gain independence in the immediate aftermath of WW2? (3)

A

Britain wasn’t under pressure from the international community
Less developed political consciousness
Seen as key to Britain’s economic recovery

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3
Q

How did WW2 stir nationalism (particularly in Africa)? (3)

A

Caused an economic revolution in parts of the empire (urbanisation and industrialisation) - colonies could now process their own raw materials
Africans angered by increased British control
Great shift of feeling on questions of race spread over the world after WW2

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4
Q

Factors that contributed to the decolonisation of the British Empire: nationalist movements

A

Macmillan’s conviction of the strength of Africa deepened as a result of a 6 week tour in 1960
As one colony gained independence, others increased their demands

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5
Q

Factors that contributed to the decolonisation of the British Empire: changing attitudes in Britain

A

Maintenance of the empire fell down the priorities list
Brutal suppression of colonial peoples would damage Britain’s credibility
Britons were indifferent to Empire and were unlikely to support new military burdens
Policy makers saw no good strategic or economic reasons for spending vast sums of money and risking the loss of thousands of lives

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6
Q

Factors that contributed to the decolonisation of the British Empire: changing priorities in Europe

A

By the 1950s, Western Europe was experiencing dramatic post-war recovery, with full employment and increased living standards - less dependent on colonial support

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7
Q

The introduction of what organisation changed the priorities in Europe?

A

The European Economic Community (EEC)
Helped refocus trade within Empire itself

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8
Q

Factors that contributed to the decolonisation of the British Empire: the Cold War

A

USA and USSR new dominant powers
They were both against imperialism
Britain heavily dependent on USA for defence and economic support so were pressured to speed up decolonisation

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9
Q

Factors that contributed to the decolonisation of the British Empire: economic concerns

A

Britain couldn’t afford to maintain costs of empire
Couldn’t afford to fight a series of long colonial wars
Great Depression led to poor living conditions in African which led to growing discontent with British rule

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10
Q

Factors that contributed to the decolonisation of the British Empire

A

Increased nationalism
Changing attitudes in Britain
Changing priorities in Europe
The Cold War
Economic concerns

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11
Q

What is arguably the most important factor that contributed to the decolonisation of the British Empire

A

Economic concerns because they drove the other factors

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12
Q

Britain’s approach to its African colonies after WW2

A

No immediate desire to grant independence
Wanted to develop them economically to benefit their post-war recovery
Earmarked for extensive development initiatives

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13
Q

Cooperation that allowed Britain to develop its African colonies to benefit their post-war recovery

A

Colonial Development Cooperation

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14
Q

Why was decolonisation quicker in West Africa compared to any other part of Africa?

A

Because there wasn’t a significant white settler population in West Africa which would complicate the process

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15
Q

British aims in the Gold Coast following WW2

A

To slow down the process of decolonisation so it would be beneficial to Britain and not damage their prestige

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16
Q

What was the Burns Constitution (1946) in the Gold Coast?

A

Established a Legislative Council of 12 British nominees and 18 elected African members
Majority of African members
However, the final power still remained in the hands of the British Governor

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17
Q

Key nationalist party in the Gold Coast

A

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) founded by Nkrumah in 1949 which pressured the British to make further concessions

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18
Q

How was Nkrumah given the position of PM of the Gold Coast in 1952?

A

Nkrumah imprisoned in 1950
The CPP won 2/3 of the seats in the Legislative Assembly in 1951
CPP would have to be brought into government in order to bring troubles under control
Nkrumah therefore released and given position of PM

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19
Q

When was Ghana (Gold Coast) given independence and why?

A

1957
Nkrumah proved it possible for indigenous people to rule responsibly

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20
Q

Key nationalist group formed in Nigeria in 1944

A

National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) formed under leadership of Azikiwe

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21
Q

Aim of NCNC

A

Self-governing of Nigeria

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22
Q

Nationalist action in Nigeria in 1945

A

Strike of railway and government workers involving 30,000 people in Lagos alone

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23
Q

What 1951 constitution extended the right to vote and created a National Council of Ministers in Nigeria?

A

The Macpherson Constitution

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24
Q

Reasons for the Macpherson Constitution 1951

A

Due to great pressure of change from nationalist movements forced the British to amend the constitution

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25
Q

How did the Macpherson Constitution encourage the growth of nationalism in Nigeria?

A

There was a growth in political parties based around these regions who began to compete for elections to the new House of Representatives

26
Q

Nigeria’s journey to independence following Macpherson Constitution

A

Further revisions of constitution and federal elections in 1954
More power gradually given to regional governments
Moves towards independence following 1959 federal election
Independence granted in 1960

27
Q

To what extent did British actions contribute to the decolonisation in West Africa? - British actions

A

British policy emphasised economic development which helped the growth of nationalism
Introducing political reform increased the growth of nationalist parties

28
Q

To what extent did British actions contribute to the decolonisation in West Africa? - other factors

A

Competency of nationalists once they were given government positions - showed they were capable of governing
Nationalist were agitating for reforms and independence and they received widespread support
Ethnic tension between different groups (Nigeria) speeds up independence

29
Q

What had been Britain’s hopes for its east African colonies in the years after WW2?

A

Economic development to make them profitable
Unite the Eastern colonies to make an East African Federation to make it easier to govern

30
Q

Population of the major urban areas of East Africa during WW2 and impact of this on nationalism

A

During the war, population rapidly increased E.g. Nairobi (Kenya) population increased by 50%
Led to high inflation, poor housing and overcrowding which fuelled protests

31
Q

What form did nationalism take in East Africa?

A

Much more violent than nationalism in West Africa
Rapid economic growth brought urbanisation, greater political consciousness, political activism, nationalism and labour disputes

32
Q

1947 scheme in Tanganyika

A

Tanganyika Groundnut Scheme

33
Q

Tanganyika Groundnut Scheme

A

Britain experienced a severe shortage of cooking fats post WW2
Britain planned to grow large amounts of groundnuts which would be processed into cooking oil and sold around the world
Massive investment of tractors, equipment and the construction of a railway
Terrain proved too difficult to cultivate and the scheme was abandoned in 1951

34
Q

2 consequences of Tanganyika Groundnut Scheme

A

Cost Britain £49 million
Failure of the scheme provoked East African peasants into supporting nationalist movements

35
Q

When did Tanganyika gain its independence and why?

A

1961
Britain was aware that his had little economic or strategic importance

36
Q

Situation in Kenya after WW2

A

Most valuable of Britain’s east African possessions
White population of approx. 50,000 controlled most of the best land and dominated the legislative council, blocking black political advancement

37
Q

What tribe in Kenya resorted to protest after WW2?

A

The Kikuyu tribe

38
Q

Why did the Kikuyu tribe resort to violence in the 1950s in Kenya?

A

White people looked to mechanise farming and displace the peasant growers

39
Q

Rebellion carried out by Kikuyu tribe in Kenya

A

Mau Mau Rebellion

40
Q

How did the Mau Mau rebellion weaken the British colonial administration in Kenya?

A

British crushed the rebellion with great ruthlessness and successfully divided the Kikuyu people
HOWEVER, Britain weakened their moral authority and support for nationalists increased

41
Q

Britain’s response to the Mau Mau rebellion which caused outrage in Britain and Kenya

A

March 1959, 11 prisoners were beaten to death at Hola Camp

42
Q

Other than the grievances at the treatment from white settlers, what encouraged nationalism in Kenya?

A

The granting of indepdence to the neighbouring colonies (Tanganyika and Uganda)

43
Q

Nationalist party in Kenya and its leader

A

Kenyan African National Union (KANU)
Kenyatta

44
Q

What protein the ban of African political movements in Kenya?

A

The 1960 London Conference

45
Q

Why was the London Conference an important development for Kenya?

A

Once the principles were self-government under a majority rule was established, indepdence was inevitable
Kenya became independent in 1963

46
Q

Journey to South Africa becoming a Republic and leaving the Commonwealth

A

1948 - Afrikaner Nationalist party won power and implemented policy of apartheid (racial segregation)
Opposition to this emerged led by African National Congress under Mandela
South African government responded with brutal suppression of all protests throughout 50s and 60s
Britain didn’t want to associate with South Africa due to negative public opinion
1961 - South Africa white population voted to become a Republic and leave the Commonwealth

47
Q

What was created in 1953 as a merge of North Rhodesia, South Rhodesia and Nyasaland?

A

The Central African Federation (CAF)

48
Q

Why was the CAF created?

A

To provide an effective counter-weight to South Africa and prevent apartheid being implemented in these areas too

49
Q

Nyasaland’s journey to independence

A

Growing disorder amongst black population towards CAF
State of emergency declared in 1959 due to fear of collapse of British authority
51 Africans killed
An independent inquiry commended the Nyasaland government’s actions - accusing it of running a police state
Rioting and violence continued and there was danger of a breakdown of authority
July 1960 - Nyasaland given constitution which ensured a black majority in its legislative council
Paved the way for majority rule and independence

50
Q

When did the CAF end?

A

1963

51
Q

Southern Rhodesia independence

A

In 1965, the prime minister, Ian Smith, illegally declared Southern Rhodesia to be independent as he was certain Britain wouldn’t use force against him
British responses were unsuccessful and Rhodesia became a republic in 1969 and was plunged into a guerrilla war (Bush War) between the African nationalists and white settlers

52
Q

To what extent did British actions contribute to decolonisation in Southern Africa? - British actions

A

Reports/Commissions led to reforms for black majority rule
Granting independence to Zambia and Malawi led Ian Smith to take Southern Rhodesia
‘Winds of change’ speech by MacMillan in Cape Town in 1960
Creation of CAF

53
Q

To what extent did British actions contribute to decolonisation in Southern Africa? - other factors

A

Black nationalist movements/protests
White settler aithority suppression/nationalism
Violence in East Africa

54
Q

British withdrawal of Burma

A

Burma given independence shortly after the war following violence from nationalists
Burma erupted into civil war and Burma refused to join the Commonwealth

55
Q

How did Britain view Malaya after WW2?

A

Regarded it as crucially important to the post-war recovery and imperial strategy
Major producer of rubber which promised to be an important money earner after WW2

56
Q

What nationalist groups and leaders fought for independence in Malaya?

A

The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) to fight for rights of Malay peoples
The Chinese were represented by the Malay Chinese Association (MCA) or the Malayan Communist Party (MCP)

57
Q

Creation of the Federation of Malaya

A

By 1947, ethnic tensions were running so high that the British administration had to create a Malay Union to give equal citizenship to all ethnic groups in Malaya
In June 1947 - Britain offered new scheme - gave much more restricted definition of Malay citizenship - discriminatory against Chinese
Federation of Malaya created in January 1948

58
Q

Consequences of creation of Federation of Malaya

A

The new federation was problematic due to the state of the post-war economy as well as Chinese grievances
The MCP’s Malaya People’s Anti-British Army launched an insurgency in 1948 which lasted until 1960
Britain was worried that this would damage the rubber plantations so a State of Emergency was declared in 1948

59
Q

State of Emergency in Malaya and their journey to independence

A

Colonial authorities used military force and legal measures to impose order
Troubles raged between 1948-52
By 1952, order restored and Britain believe their hold of Malaya was secured
However, to keep support during the emergency, the British promised Malay independence
In 1957 independence was granted

60
Q

Successes of British decolonisation in South East Asian

A

Britain retained influence in Malaya - maintained economic and strategic benefit
Gradual constitutional reforms enabled some control over the hand over of power

61
Q

Failures of Britain’s decolonisation of South East Asia

A

Britain forced to act due to mass civil disobedience showing a lack of control
Unable to make a controlled withdrawal in Malaya and Burma
Britain’s didn’t leave Burma on friendly terms - refused to join Commonwealth
British plans failed E.g. Federation of Malaya and Singapore as part of Malaysia

British Empire - 4. The Winds of Change 1947-1967 (6 decks)

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