4.4 - Imperial Attitudes and Role of Individuals

Question 2

What were the reasons for the growth of nationalism from 1947-67?

Answer 2

• Urbanisation/Economic development from WW2
• Education
• Inspiration from Indian independence
• Changed world after WW2 – both main powers are anti-imperialist
• Failings of Britain to govern effectively
• Political concessions
• Unity and leadership helped bring disparate people together
• Cold War -quest to find moderates to work with

Question 3

How did nationalist leaders apply pressure on the British government?

Answer 3

• Some were politicians that negotiated with the British
• Peaceful non-cooperation – influenced by Gandhi
• Violent protest or threats of violence e.g. rioting
• Forming political organisations and fighting election campaigns

Question 4

How influential were nationalist leaders in bringing about decolonisation?

Answer 4

• Led nationalism movements – often became leaders of the new nation states
• Widespread support for them in the colonies – ad public opinion behind them
• Influential in other places e.g. Nkrumah
• They had the opportunity to negotiate directly with the British
• Britain was prepared to grant independence
• The mass movement was important
• Not all nationalist leaders were supported by the people in the nation
• Within African colonies there was the fear that power would be seized by one tribe, region or religious group
• Britain could hope for support from conservative vested interest groups within the colonies if there was threat of social upheaval
• Britain had the military power to hold nationalist movements in check
• Britain allowed movements to grow through constitutional reforms
• Britain wanted to maintain some control despite decolonisation

Question 5

Who was Kwame Nkrumah and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 5

General Secretary of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGGC) and Convention People’s Party (CPP)

Question 6

What actions did Kwame Nkrumah take in his quest for independence?

Answer 6

• Helped organise 5th Pan African Congress in London in 1945
• Formed Convention People’s Party which pressured British administration
• Became Prime Minister between 1953 and 1957

Question 7

How influential was Kwame Nkrumah?

Answer 7

• Responded to demands for change
• Understood importance of developing working relationship with British
• Became a figurehead for African nationalism
• Advocated Pan-Africanism and founded the Organisation of African Unity in 1963

Question 8

Who was Nnamdi Azikiwe and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 8

Leader of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC)

Question 9

What actions did Nnamdi Azikiwe take in his quest for independence?

Answer 9

• Helped create NCNC in 1944
• Negotiated with the NPC to establish Nigeria’s first government

Question 10

How influential was Nnamdi Azikiwe?

Answer 10

• Compromised and won trust of various nationalists and the British
• Facilitated peaceful transition to independence
• Persuaded the British that different regional ethnic groups could work together

Question 11

Who was Jomo Kenyatta and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 11

Kikuyu Central Association (KCA), Kenya Africa Union (KAU), Kenya African National Union (KANU)

Question 12

What actions did Jomo Kenyatta take in his quest for independence?

Answer 12

• President of KAU from 1947
• Toured and lectured campaigning for land return and independence
• Elected leader of KANU in 1960 and negotiated with the British

Question 13

How influential was Jomo Kenyatta?

Answer 13

• Helped create a prosperous capitalist state
• Oversaw peaceful land reform process
• Response to Mau Mau rebellion weakened Britain’s moral authority

Question 14

Who was Hastings Banda and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 14

Nyasaland African Congress (NAC)

Question 15

What actions did Hastings Banda take in his quest for independence?

Answer 15

• Spoke against colonialism
• Toured the CAF urging party membership
• Arrested during state of emergency
• Appointed PM of Nyasaland

Question 16

How influential was Hastings Banda?

Answer 16

• Received enthusiastic responses during speeches
• Chose the name Malawi

Question 17

Who was Kenneth Kaunda and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 17

ANC, Zambian African National Congress, United National Independence Party

Question 18

What actions did Kenneth Kaunda take in his quest for independence?

Answer 18

• Secretary General of ANC in Northern Rhodesia
• Formed Zambian African National Congress in 1958
• Led civil disobedience campaign and warned of severe consequences for the British

Question 19

How influential was Kenneth Kaunda?

Answer 19

• Helped Britain recognize black majority rule was irresistible

Question 20

Who was Ian Smith and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 20

Rhodesian Front

Question 21

What actions did Ian Smith take in his quest for independence?

Answer 21

• Elected to S. Rhodesian Parliament in 1948
• Supported proposed CAF
• Declared UDI in 1965

Question 22

How influential was Ian Smith?

Answer 22

• Fearful of black majority rule, declared UDI before independence was granted

Question 23

Who was Milton Obote and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 23

Uganda National Congress (UNC)

Question 24

What actions did Milton Obote take in his quest for independence?

Answer 24

• Elected to the Colonial Legislative Council in 1957
• Appointed PM of independent Uganda in 1962

Question 25

How influential was Milton Obote?

Answer 25

• Mediated between different political factions

Question 26

Who was Julius Nyerere and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 26

Tanganyikan African Nationalist Union (TANU)

Question 27

What actions did Julius Nyerere take in his quest for independence?

Answer 27

• Demanded self-government and threatened strikes • Elected to the Legislative Council in 1958-59 • Negotiated with British for independence

Question 28

How influential was Julius Nyerere?

Answer 28

• TANU had massive support • Negotiated for independence

Question 29

Who was Onn Jaafar and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 29

United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)

Question 30

What actions did Onn Jaafar take in his quest for independence?

Answer 30

• Founded UMNO • Campaigned against Malay Union established by the British • Organised rallies and negotiated with the British

Question 31

How influential was Onn Jaafar?

Answer 31

• Protests caused British to change position on Malay Union

Question 32

Who was Tan Cheng Lock and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 32

Malaysian Chinese Association

Question 33

What actions did Tan Cheng Lock take in his quest for independence?

Answer 33

• Founded MCA • Fought for constitutional change and inter-ethnic co-operation • Worked with UMNO and negotiated with the British

Question 34

How influential was Tan Cheng Lock?

Answer 34

• Trusted by British colonial officials

Question 35

Who was Chin Peng and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 35

Malayan Communist Party

Question 36

What actions did Chin Peng take in his quest for independence?

Answer 36

• Fought the British with the Malayan National Liberation Army during the Malayan Emergency

Question 37

How influential was Chin Peng?

Answer 37

• Did not gain as much support as expected from the people

Question 38

Who was Tunku Abdul Rahman and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 38

United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)

Question 39

What actions did Tunku Abdul Rahman take in his quest for independence?

Answer 39

• Spearheaded alliance between UMNO and MCA • Became first chief minister of Malaya • Led mission to London to negotiate for Malayan independence

Question 40

How influential was Tunku Abdul Rahman?

Answer 40

• Created alliance with UMNO and MCA

Question 41

Who was Aung San and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 41

Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League, Burmese Independence Party

Question 42

What actions did Aung San take in his quest for independence?

Answer 42

• Helped Japan invade Burma in 1942 • Became ruler of Legislative Council • Talked to British government in Jan 1947

Question 43

How influential was Aung San?

Answer 43

• Highlighted extent of Burmese unrest but legitimised by British authority

Question 44

Who was Lee Kuan Yew and what was his political affiliation?

Answer 44

People’s Association Party (PAP)

Question 45

What actions did Lee Kuan Yew take in his quest for independence?

Answer 45

• Founded PAP • Engaged in talks in London for self-rule • Came to power in 1959

Question 46

How influential was Lee Kuan Yew?

Answer 46

• Britain was fearful of communism and combined Singapore with Federation of Malaya

Question 47

What were some challenges faced by colonial administrators between 1947-67?

Answer 47

International pressures, internal pressures from political representation, demands from the British government, need for political astuteness, managing aggressive nationalist leaders, and implementing unthinkable changes. ## Footnote These challenges required a tough approach and the ability to judge a fast-changing public mood.

Question 48

What was Sir Andrew Cohen's role in the British Empire?

Answer 48

Assistant Under-Secretary of State for the Colonial Office’s African division in 1947 and Governor of Uganda from 1952 to 1957. ## Footnote He was significant in shaping colonial policy in Africa.

Question 49

What was Sir Andrew Cohen's view on decolonisation?

Answer 49

He believed it was inevitable and wanted it to be a managed retreat.

Question 50

What actions did Sir Andrew Cohen undertake regarding African governance?

Answer 50

Listened to nationalists, cultivated contacts in Africa, devolved power to indigenous officials, proposed the Central African Federation, and set out a new direction for colonial policy in the Cohen Report of 1947. ## Footnote His approach aimed at gradual reform to achieve independence.

Question 51

What was a significant event during Cohen's governance in Uganda?

Answer 51

The unrest in Buganda following the proposal to set up the East African Federation.

Question 52

What was the outcome of Cohen's handling of Buganda?

Answer 52

He deported Kabaka Mutesa II, declared a state of emergency, and restored him in 1955, leading to Mutesa becoming Uganda's first President in 1962.

Question 53

What was Sir John Macpherson's role in the British Empire?

Answer 53

Governor of Nigeria from 1948 to 1955.

Question 54

What was Sir John Macpherson's approach to decolonisation?

Answer 54

He introduced gradual reform and facilitated self-rule and independence.

Question 55

What significant action did Sir John Macpherson take to address ethnic tensions in Nigeria?

Answer 55

Organised a major conference in 1951 to discuss a constitution accommodating different regions.

Question 56

What was the outcome of Sir John Macpherson's efforts?

Answer 56

He helped ensure that an independent Nigeria emerged in 1960 without collapsing into chaos.

Question 57

What was Sir Charles Arden-Clarke's role in the British Empire?

Answer 57

Governor of the Gold Coast in 1949.

Question 58

What actions did Sir Charles Arden-Clarke undertake to manage Ghana's political situation?

Answer 58

Secured Nkrumah's release, managed relations between Nkrumah and Ashanti politicians, and delayed the independence timetable for a third general election. ## Footnote This was to ensure Nkrumah demonstrated popular support.

Question 59

What was Sir Charles Arden-Clarke's view on decolonisation?

Answer 59

He increasingly saw his role as a facilitator of self-rule and independence.

Question 60

What was Evelyn Baring's role in the British Empire?

Answer 60

Governor of Kenya from 1952 to 1959.

Question 61

What was Evelyn Baring's stance on decolonisation?

Answer 61

He was committed to retaining control in Kenya.

Question 62

What actions did Evelyn Baring take in response to the Mau Mau rebellion?

Answer 62

Declared a State of Emergency, played a role in suppressing the Kikuyu people, and managed public perception of colonial rule. ## Footnote His approach was aimed at maintaining British authority.

Question 63

What was Sir Gerald Templer's role in the British Empire?

Answer 63

High Commissioner of Malaya from 1952 to 1954.

Question 64

What was Sir Gerald Templer's view on decolonisation?

Answer 64

He was appointed to handle the emergency situation following the assassination of the previous high commissioner.

Question 65

What strategies did Sir Gerald Templer employ to counter the communist insurgency in Malaya?

Answer 65

Advocated for local support against communists, instituted incentive schemes, imposed strict curfews, and promised independence post-insurgency. ## Footnote His approach included involving local populations in the fight against guerrillas.

Question 66

What was Sir Donald MacGillivray's role in the British Empire?

Answer 66

High Commissioner in Malaya from 1954 to 1957.

Question 67

What was Sir Donald MacGillivray's view on decolonisation?

Answer 67

He recognized it was inevitable and aimed to facilitate it.

Question 68

What actions did Sir Donald MacGillivray take regarding Malaya's independence?

Answer 68

Discussed independence openly, participated in the Monckton Commission, and signed the Federation of Malaya Agreement in 1957.

Question 69

What was the outcome of Sir Donald MacGillivray's actions?

Answer 69

Britain maintained influence in Malaya without further violence.