4. Attitudes to Empire and the Role of Individuals Flashcards
Reasons imperialism grew 1947-67 (7)
Urbanisation / economic development after WW2
Education
Inspiration from Indian Independence
Changed world after WW2 - both main powers are anti-imperialist
Failings of Britain to govern effectively
Political concessions/reforms
Cold War
4 ways nationalist leaders applied pressure on the British government
Some were politicians that negotiated with Britain
Peaceful non-cooperation - influenced by Gandhi
Violent protest or threats of violence
Forming political organisations
Were nationalist leaders influential in bringing about decolonisation? - reasons for
Led nationalism movements
Widespread support for them in the colonies
Had the opportunity to directly negotiate with Britain
Mass movement was important
Were nationalist leaders influential in bringing about decolonisation? - reasons against
Britain was prepared to grant them independence
Not all nationalist leaders were supported by the people in the nation (E.g. conflict after Kenya’s independence)
Britain allowed movements to grow through constitutional reforms
Nationalist leader of the Gold Coast
Kwame Nkrumah
Nkrumah’s actions in the independence of the Gold Coast
1945 - helped organise 5th Pan African Congress in London (meeting to discuss decolonisation in Africa)
Formed Convention People’s Party (CPP) which pressured British administration to make further concessions
Became PM of Gold Coast between 1953 and 1957, proving it was possible for indigenous people to rule responsibly
How influential was Nkrumah in the Gold Coast’s independence?
Responded to demands for change
Understood importance of developing working relationship with British to gain support
Became a figurehead for African nationalism and helped coordinate various African independence movements
Nationalist leader of Nigeria
Nnamdi Azikiwi
Azikiwi’s actions in the independence of Nigeria
Helped create National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1944
Negotiated with Northern People’s Congress (NPC) to establish Nigeria’s first government
How influential was Azikiwi in Nigeria’s independence?
Won trust of a variety of nationalists as well as the British to secure a peaceful transition to independence
Persuaded the British that it was possible for different ethnic groups to work successfully together - British rule wasn’t essential to avoid a civil war
What nation was Kenyatta the nationalist leader of?
Kenya
Kenyatta’s actions in the independence of Kenya
President of the Kenya Africa Union (KAU) from 1947
From 1948-51 he toured Kenya to gain support for independence
Arrested and imprisoned in response to Mau Mau rebellion
Elected leader of Kenya African National Union (KANU) from 1960
After his release in 1961 he began negotiations with British which led to independence
How influential was Kenyatta in Kenya’s independence?
Influential: helped force a capitalist state and oversaw a peaceful land reform process
Not influential: response to Mau Mau rebellion weakened Britain’s moral authority and increased support for nationalism
Nationalist leader of Malaya who founded the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
Onn Jaafar
Onn Jaafar’s actions in Malaya’s independence
Founded United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
Campaigned against Malay Union established by the British
Organised rallies to build public support
Worked with Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) against the Malayan Communist Party (MCP)
Negotiated with Britain for independence
How influential was Onn Jaafar in Malaya’s independence?
Protests caused Britain to stop the Malay Union
Able to prevent communist takeover of Malaya - Britain promised Malaya its independence as a result
Nationalist leader of Malaya associated with the Malayan Communist Party (MCP)
Chin Peng
Actions of Chin Peng in independence of Malaya
MCP fought the British in the Malayan Emergency
How influential was Chin Peng in the independence of Malaya?
Didn’t gain as much support as expected from the people
Communist takeover didn’t occur
Reasons why the role of colonial administrators was hard
International pressures
Internal pressure with political representation
British government pressuring them
Fast-changing public mood had to be well judged
Had to deal with often aggressive nationalist leaders, sometimes in an atmosphere of intimidation and violence
Increase in the colonial service between 1945-54
Colonial service increased in staff by 45% in this period which facilitated a more interventionalist stance (interfering in other countries’ politics)
List of colonial administrators
Sir Andrew Cohen
Sir John Macpherson
Sir Charles Arden-Clarke
Evelyn Baring
Sir Andrew Cohen’s role in administration of Empire
1947 - appointed Assistant Under-Secretary of State for the Colonial Office’s African division
1952 - appointed Governor of Uganda where he served until 1957
Sir Andrew Cohen’s view of decolonisation
Knew it was inevitable and wanted it to be a managed retreat
Sir Andrew Cohen’s beliefs about British involvement in Africa
Deeply concerned by the treatment of Africans in the colonies
Believed in listening to nationalists and cultivated contacts in both West and central Africa
Believed in devolving power to indigenous officials with the superior knowledge of local affairs
Report by Sir Andrew Cohen in 1947
The Cohen Report of 1947. New direction for colonial policy, mapping a route through gradual reform by which they could eventually emerge as independent, democratic and stable nations
What actions did Sir Andrew Cohen take?
Proposed the Central African Federation (CAF) because he was concerned about the effects of apartheid
Brought Africans into government and encouraged the development of political parties
Helped to lay groundwork for Uganda’s independence
How successful was Sir Andrew Cohen?
Most Africans progressed much faster than he originally envisaged
CAF ended in a failure
Who was Sir John Macpherson?
Governor of Nigeria from 1948-55
Sir John Macpherson’s view of decolonisation
He knew it was inevitable and introduced gradual reform, seeing his role as a facilitator of self-rule and indepdence
What actions did Sir John Macpherson take?
Moved the colonial administration to Nigerians
Organised a major conference in 1951 to open discussions on a constitution which would accommodate the different regions
The ‘Macpherson Constitution’ of 1951 stimulated political parties
How successful was Sir John Macpherson?
Very. He helped ensure than an independent Nigeria emerged in 1960 which didn’t collapse into separatism, anarchy or civil war
Sir Charles Arden-Clarke’s role in the administration of the British Empire
Governor of the Gold Coast 1949
Sir Charles Arden-Clarke’s view on decolonisation
Increasingly saw his role as a facilitator of self-rule and independence
What actions did Sir Charles Arden-Clarke take?
Secured the release of Nkrumah from prison in 1951 and brought him into government
Managed relations between Nkrumah and Ashanti politicians
Delayed the timetable for indepdence to allow for a third general election in 1956 in order for Nkrumah to demonstrate that he carried the support of the people
How successful was Sir Charles Arden-Clarke?
Proved a skilled and practical politician in dealing with a highly complex and swiftly changing situation
Asked by the Ghanaian government to become the country’s first Governor-General, showing his high regard for
Who was the Governor of Kenya from 1952-59?
Evelyn Baring
Evelyn Baring’s view of decolonisation
Committed to retaining control in Kenya (against decolonisation)
What actions did Evelyn Baring take?
Declared a State of Emergency in 1952 in response to the Mau Mau rebellion
Played an integral role in destruction of Kikuyu people during suppression of Mau Mau uprising
Plays key role in government’s efforts to keep the realities of the May Mau rebellion from the British public
How successful was Evelyn Baring?
Managed to suppress the Mau Mau rebellion but his harsh methods weakened British moral authority and support for nationalism increased
