3. Impact of WW2 Flashcards
Way in which WW2 strengthened Empire: Egypt
Britain able to preserve its influence in Egypt - its access to Suez and oil in the Middle East
Way in which WW2 strengthened Empire: victory
Victory of war emphasised the strength and unity of Empire
Way in which WW2 strengthened Empire: invasion of India
Britain able to hold off Japanese invasion of India in 1944
Way in which WW2 weakened Empire: involvement of colonies
Involvement of colonies led to new/greater demands for greater autonomy
Autonomy
Self-government
Significance of Singapore to British Empire
Singapore was Britain’s main military naval base in the region
Way in which WW2 weakened Empire: Singapore
Britain lost Singapore to Japan in 1942
What did the loss of Singapore do for relations between Britain and Australia?
Damaged relations as Australians felt abandoned, causing them to look to the US for support
What did Churchill see the loss of Singapore as?
The “greatest disaster to British arms which our history records”
What was the all of Singapore due to?
Churchill neglecting Singapore during WW2, prioritising Egypt at the expense of the Far East
During the whole of WW2, what did the most damage to Britain’s imperial position?
The fall of Singapore
What did Britain’s imperial power depend on and what damaged this?
Britain’s imperial power depended on prestige and the fall of Singapore damaged this
Way in which WW2 weakened Empire: success of Japan
Success of Japanese ended the myth of white invincibility/superiority, giving confidence to independent movements across Southeast Asia
How many Indian troops were captured by the Japanese in Singapore?
30,000
What happened to the captured Indian troops in Singapore?
They joined the Indian National Army to fight against British control in India and Asia