320: Colonial Policy and Administration 1914-1947 Flashcards
What were the key parts of the 1919 Government of India act?
- Viceroy still held control over defence and foreign affairs.
- His council had to defend itself to a legislative body.
- The legislative council had an upper and lower house where 138 of 204 total members were elected.
- Provincial councils run by elected Indian ministers controlling local affairs like education and health.
When was the Simon commission?
1929-30
What other piece of legislation was the 1919 government of India act paired with?
Rowlatt act 1919
What was the simon commision?
An investigative body with no Indian representation reviewing the last India act and the current state of India.
What did the Simon commission suggest?
- Federal system.
- Provinces should have more power.
- Defence, foreign affairs, and security should remain in total British control.
When were the round table conferences?
1930 and 1931
What were the round table conferences? Why were they significant?
Meeting of influential people in the administration of India, held in London.
Did not meet an agreement as dominion status was rejected over fears of non-white leaders not being competent.
What were the key parts of the Government of India act 1935?
- Created the Federation of India.
- Provinces were effectively self governing with British appointed governors.
- Self-government could be suspended in emergencies.
- Franchise expanded 7 to 35 million.
Who opposed the 1935 Government of India act and why?
- Congress party for falling short of what white dominions were allowed.
- Princely leaders as they wished to maintain their independence.
What does Britain do to India in 1939?
Imposes direct rule to combat protest for \india’s involvement in the war.
What happens to India in 1947?
It is granted full independence.
Give examples of 2 African colonies in this period under indirect rule?
Uganda, Northern Rhodesia.
What was Britain’s priority for colonial policy in indirectly ruled African colonies in this period?
Promotion of the colonies economic and social development, especially where it would economically benefit Britain.
GIve examples of 2 economic schemes in Africa in this period?
- Sudan, Gezira cotton scheme. £3 million.
- £10 million in East Africa for trade infrastructure (docks and railway).
- Investment in education in West Africa.
Who provided funding for the British economic improvements in Africa during this time
- Mostly funded by taxes on African people.
small amount of funding provided by Colonial development act
What was the colonial development act?
1929, Allocated £1 for African development.
What enabled the White population in South Africa to maintain their power in the early 1930s?
The 1931 statute of Westminster provided more legitimacy to the political systems in dominions, helping the White population who already had power.
When did the White population in Southern Rhodesia win self-government?
1923
Which population group in Kenya dominated politics in this period, how big was this group?
25,000 strong white settler community. (of about 3 to 5 million population)
What declaration was made in 1923 in response to growing African nationalism? What did it say?
Devonshire declaration which stressed the importance of white settlers respecting African interests .
Which dominions was Britain most worried about in the interwar period?
Canada and South Africa.
What role did WW1 play for colonial policy in dominions in this period?
Fighting in WW1 gave them more confidence and more aspirations for greater self-governance.
What was the 1926 Balfour declaration?
A declaration preceding the Statute of Westminster which gave legitimacy to the new ideas of the Commonwealth.
What were the key points of the Statute of Westminster?
- Dominions should be independent nations.
- Laws passed in Britain could not be enforced in those countries without permission from their own parliaments.
- Dominion countries could pass their own laws without British interference.
What was Britain ‘forced’ to do in Iraq in 1920?
Send the military to stop muslim protests against British rule.
What development was there in colonial policy in Iraq in 1922?
Anglo-Iraqi treaty confirms Iraqi king with British advisors. (as agreed at the Cairo conference 1921 with little Arab representation).
What development occured for colonial policy in Iraq in 1932?
Granted full independence. But Britain retained influence on foreign affairs and the oil industry.
Why did Britain want to keep Palestine?
As a buffer zone against threats to the Suez, and for it’s proximity to oil rich areas.
What was the biggest strain on British colonial policy post WW1?
Large financial strain.
What did Herbert Samuel do in Palestine in 1920? Why didn’t it work?
- Attempted to reconcile Jewish population with the existing Arab population through elected bodies featuring Jewish and Arab representation.
- Didn’t work due to ethnic tensions preventing cooperation
What was the Jewish National fund? How did it affect Arab people in Palestine?
A fund which helped Jewish acquisition of land in the interwar period. Increased the number of Arab people having their land bought out by Jewish settlers.
What did the 1929 and 1931 enquiries into Palestine suggest? Why didn’t Britain follow through?
- Curbing Jewish land acquisition.
- Forced to back down due to pro-Jewish sentiments.
When did Britain send 20,000 thousand troops to Palestine? And why?
1936, after Arab rioting and attacks on Jews.
When was the Peel report? What did it suggest?
1937, suggested partition with British control only over a small number of areas such as holy areas.
What did Britain do in Palestine between 1937 and 39?
Britain implements a policy of repression, which leads to the hanging of over 100 Arab terrorists.
What does Britain implement in Palestine in 1939?
5 year restriction of Jewish immigration to 15,000 people a year.
What were the main threats to imperial defence in this period?
- Severe economic difficulties.
- Rise of fascism.
- Rise of Imperialist Japan as a threat in Asia.
- Rise in national independence movements.
What actions did Britain take to combat threats to imperial defence?
- Policies of appeasement.
- Placing more faith in the League of nations.
- Modernising the Indian army and building a £25 million army base in Singapore.
- Carefully deciding which parts of the world to prioritise militarily.
How successful was Britain’s decision to place its faith in the league of nations?
Realised by the mid 1930s that the League of Nations could not provide adequate international defence against Japan or Italy.
How successful was Britain’s policy of appeasement?
Allowed the British to use more resources in Asia but just pushed back the threats from Italy and Germany, not stopped them.
