4.5 - Post Colonial Ties Flashcards
What was Britain proud of regarding its political legacy in its former colonies?
Creating new ‘nation states’ with representative institutions and practices
This included parliaments, ministries, wigged judges, and British-style legal systems.
How did Britain maintain political influence in its former colonies?
Establishment of a Commonwealth Secretary General and his Secretariat in 1965
This allowed for the coordination of many Commonwealth activities.
What role did the Commonwealth play in maintaining political ties with the colonies?
Emphasis on shared political tradition and regular Commonwealth Conferences
Conferences attended by PMs/Presidents occurred at least once every 2 years.
How did the Commonwealth bolster Britain’s international position?
Provided a strong diplomatic network and ensured Britain’s membership in key international bodies
This included Britain’s place on the UN Security Council.
Why was it significant that the Commonwealth was not a military alliance?
The Commonwealth had no formal commitment to Britain.
In what ways did the Commonwealth strengthen British military power?
Britain maintained a military with a ‘global reach’ and recruited citizens from Commonwealth nations.
Where did Britain maintain military bases post-independence?
Malta, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Singapore.
How did National Service (1939-1960) help maintain ties with the Empire/Commonwealth?
Men required to do National Service encountered the Empire through late colonial wars
This included conflicts in Kenya, Malaya, and Suez.
What significant event in 1952 related to the Commonwealth’s financial links to Britain?
Major Commonwealth Economic Conference.
What was the significance of the City of London in the context of post-colonial ties?
It remained one of the world’s major financial centres.
How did trade with the Commonwealth benefit Britain?
Provided important trading links and supported multi-national companies
Particularly significant due to Britain’s exclusion from the EEC until 1973.
Why did British people migrate to Commonwealth countries post-war?
War experience, continued rationing, and demand for labour in countries like Australia and Canada.
How significant was migration from Britain to the Dominions between 1946 and 1957?
Approximately 1 million people left Britain, intensifying personal contacts with the Dominions.
Where were most immigrants to Britain coming from by 1967?
India, Pakistan, and Ceylon.
How did migration strengthen post-colonial ties?
Facilitated direct contact between British people and those from the ex-Empire.
What roles did the Monarch play in maintaining relations with former colonies?
Symbol of the Commonwealth, regular visits, meetings with Heads of Government, and annual Christmas Day message.
In what ways did Britain remain culturally connected with its former colonies?
Commonwealth citizens eligible for British honours, anglicised names, neo-Gothic churches, and variants of English.
What was a tradition during the last night of the proms?
Using patriotic British music.
True or False: The Anglican Church has more members in Africa than in Britain.
True.
What was a significant cultural connection maintained through sports?
Sporting competitions like rugby and cricket, and the Commonwealth Games.
What were some examples of Imperial Royal Honours still awarded to people from the Empire?
British Empire Medal, MBEs, OBEs.
What was migration to Britain from the empire like before 1947?
Relatively small numbers of colonial immigrants since the late 19th Century. Large numbers of Indian soldiers billeted during WW1 but their stay was temporary. Little direct exposure to the Empire for most Britons.
What was the British Nationality Act (1948)?
It recognized the Empire’s contribution to the war and gave full British citizenship, including the right of free entry into Britain, to every inhabitant of the Empire/Commonwealth.
What was Empire Windrush?
A steamship carrying 492 Jamaican passengers which arrived in 1948 without prior notification, leading to temporary housing in Clapham. They were the first post-war immigrants to attract media interest.
Why were there recruitment drives in the 1950s to encourage migration to Britain?
The economy recovered post-war, creating plentiful and well-paid unskilled work. The government actively encouraged immigration and successful recruitment drives targeted public transport and NHS.
What were the numbers of migrants from the Commonwealth by 1958?
- 115,000 West Indians
- 55,000 Indians and Pakistanis
- 25,000 West Africans
- 10,000 Cypriots
Why did racial tensions increase in the 1950s?
Initial curiosity and uncertainty turned to prejudice and anxieties as the post-war boom slackened, with worries about the dilution of British cultural and national identity.
What inequalities did immigrants face?
Immigrants faced job redundancies and had the poorest housing in the least desirable parts of towns.
How did the British public respond to the arrival of migrants from the Empire?
In 1958, gangs of ‘Teddy Boy’ youths attacked black people, leading to riots. A survey in 1962 showed 90% supported legislation to curb immigration.
What was the 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act?
It attempted to control immigration by ending free migration for former colonial subjects, dividing immigrants into three groups based on employment and skills.
What was the public reception of the 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act?
It received massive public support, with opinion polls suggesting 70%. However, it was unfair and difficult to operate, disproportionately affecting unskilled black applicants.
What was the Race Relations Board (1965)?
Created to reduce tensions through the 1965 Race Relations Act, forbidding discrimination in public places based on color, race, or ethnic origins. It handled complaints but lacked power.
Why was it more difficult for migrants from India and Pakistan to settle in Britain?
They were often regarded as more alien compared to West Indians, who shared language and cultural similarities. Cultural traditions made assimilation harder.
Fill in the blank: The Commonwealth Immigrants Act divided immigrants into three groups based on _______.
[employment and skills]
True or False: The Race Relations Board could compel witnesses to attend.
False
What cultural challenges did Indian and Pakistani migrants face in Britain?
Cultural traditions, such as the Islamic prohibition on alcohol, conflicted with the predominantly Christian British culture.
What was the effect of the 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act on immigrants’ families?
Encouraged immigrants to put down roots in Britain and bring their families over.
How did the Empire influence British culture between 1947-67?
Empire was less to the fore of British culture.
What role did television play in sharing imperial ideas?
New widespread medium for sharing imperial ideas.
What is ‘Till Death Do Us Part’ known for?
Satire on racism taken as fact; shows attitudes of racial superiority.
What does ‘The Black and White Minstrel Show’ represent?
White people in blackface; shows racial superiority.
What does ‘The Last Night of the Proms’ signify?
Continues imperial themes through music like Rule Britannia.
What is notable about the show ‘Z Cars’?
Black people appeared without comedic intent.
How did film portray the Empire during this period?
Many films had imperial themes and nostalgia for the empire.
List some films from 1964 related to the Empire.
- Zulu 1964
- Guns of Batasi 1964
- Lawrence of Arabia 1964
- Khartoum 1966
What themes did films about the Empire commonly depict?
Imperial heroes, white saviors, noble savages, ‘crazy, evil black’ people.
How was the Suez Crisis reported in the media?
Naivety in reporting; believed Britain had good intentions.
What was the public sentiment towards the loss of the Empire?
Media accepted loss; Britain should focus on internal issues.
What happened to Empire Day in 1962?
Renamed Commonwealth Day; no longer a national holiday.
What was the purpose of the 1951 Festival of Britain?
Modern interpretation of post-war Britain.
How did literature reflect imperial themes in this period?
Imperial novels became classics and accepted views.
What was the focus of education regarding the Empire?
Textbooks gave a positive opinion about the empire.
What was ‘Our Commonwealth’ (1959) about?
Showed importance and celebration of Britain; not critical of the empire.
What characterized youth sub-cultures in the 1950s?
Teenagers became a distinct group; involved in right-wing views.
What were the 1960s Mods known for?
Listening to American Soul and Ska music; involved in racial conflicts.
What was notable about children’s magazines after WW2?
Focused on various topics; sometimes included racist themes.
What was the focus of the 1960s Eagle magazine?
Focused on space; avoided foreign villains in stories.
How did travel patterns change after WW2?
Increased exposure to other areas; rise of package holidays.
What was the impact of National Service on views of the Empire?
Some served overseas, exposing them to empire temporarily.
Describe migration patterns related to the Commonwealth.
Migration mainly to white areas; familial ties to the Empire.
What was the effect of migration to Britain?
Brought out racial superiority views; could not be ignored.
How did migration shape views towards the Empire?
Kept viewpoints alive; resistance to Commonwealth immigration.
What cultural influences began to shape British views in the 1960s?
American culture, music, films; became less British and less imperial.
What significant social changes occurred under Wilson’s government?
- Removal of the death penalty
- Liberation of publishing
- Legalisation of homosexuality
True or False: By the 1960s, views on the Empire were becoming more positive.
False; recognition that the empire was not the future.
What was the general trend in attitudes towards racism in the 1960s?
Racist views still existed, but attitudes were beginning to change.
