1. Decolonisation in Africa and Asia

Question 1

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

Answer 1

India
Pakistan
Burma
Ceylon
Palestine

Question 2

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

Answer 2

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

Question 3

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

Answer 3

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

Question 4

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

Answer 4

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

Question 5

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

Answer 5

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

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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

Question 7

The introduction of what organisation changed the priorities in Europe?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

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

Answer 8

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

Question 9

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

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Factors that contributed to the decolonisation of the British Empire

Answer 10

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

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Economic concerns because they drove the other factors

Question 12

Britain’s approach to its African colonies after WW2

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Colonial Development Cooperation

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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

Question 15

British aims in the Gold Coast following WW2

Answer 15

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

Question 16

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

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Key nationalist party in the Gold Coast

Answer 17

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

Question 18

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

Answer 18

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

Question 19

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

Answer 19

1957
Nkrumah proved it possible for indigenous people to rule responsibly

Question 20

Key nationalist group formed in Nigeria in 1944

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Aim of NCNC

Answer 21

Self-governing of Nigeria

Question 22

Nationalist action in Nigeria in 1945

Answer 22

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

Question 23

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

Answer 23

The Macpherson Constitution

Question 24

Reasons for the Macpherson Constitution 1951

Answer 24

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

Question 25

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

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Nigeria's journey to independence following Macpherson Constitution

Answer 26

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

Question 27

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

Answer 27

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

Question 28

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

Answer 28

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

Question 29

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

Answer 29

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

Question 30

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

Answer 30

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

Question 31

What form did nationalism take in East Africa?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

1947 scheme in Tanganyika

Answer 32

Tanganyika Groundnut Scheme

Question 33

Tanganyika Groundnut Scheme

Answer 33

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

Question 34

2 consequences of Tanganyika Groundnut Scheme

Answer 34

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

Question 35

When did Tanganyika gain its independence and why?

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Situation in Kenya after WW2

Answer 36

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

Question 37

What tribe in Kenya resorted to protest after WW2?

Answer 37

The Kikuyu tribe

Question 38

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

Answer 38

White people looked to mechanise farming and displace the peasant growers

Question 39

Rebellion carried out by Kikuyu tribe in Kenya

Answer 39

Mau Mau Rebellion

Question 40

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

Answer 40

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

Question 41

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

Answer 41

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

Question 42

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

Answer 42

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

Question 43

Nationalist party in Kenya and its leader

Answer 43

Kenyan African National Union (KANU) Kenyatta

Question 44

What protein the ban of African political movements in Kenya?

Answer 44

The 1960 London Conference

Question 45

Why was the London Conference an important development for Kenya?

Answer 45

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

Question 46

Journey to South Africa becoming a Republic and leaving the Commonwealth

Answer 46

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

Question 47

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

Answer 47

The Central African Federation (CAF)

Question 48

Why was the CAF created?

Answer 48

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

Question 49

Nyasaland’s journey to independence

Answer 49

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

Question 50

When did the CAF end?

Answer 50

1963

Question 51

Southern Rhodesia independence

Answer 51

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

Question 52

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

Answer 52

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

Question 53

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

Answer 53

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

Question 54

British withdrawal of Burma

Answer 54

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

Question 55

How did Britain view Malaya after WW2?

Answer 55

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

Question 56

What nationalist groups and leaders fought for independence in Malaya?

Answer 56

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)

Question 57

Creation of the Federation of Malaya

Answer 57

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

Question 58

Consequences of creation of Federation of Malaya

Answer 58

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

Question 59

State of Emergency in Malaya and their journey to independence

Answer 59

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

Question 60

Successes of British decolonisation in South East Asian

Answer 60

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

Question 61

Failures of Britain’s decolonisation of South East Asia

Answer 61

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