4.6 - Relations with Indigenous People Flashcards
What factors contributed to the growth of nationalist movements in Britain’s African and Asian colonies from 1947-67?
- Legacy of War
- Economic and Social Discontent
- Ethnic and Religious Rivalries
- Charismatic and Western Educated Leaders
Each factor played a significant role in fostering a sense of nationalism and resistance against British colonial rule.
How did the legacy of war affect nationalist movements in the colonies?
It led to disillusionment and impatience due to Britain’s reluctance to reward black soldiers who fought alongside white soldiers
Many colonies expected recognition and rewards for their contributions during the war.
What was the impact of economic and social discontent on nationalist movements?
- Rapid post-war economic growth
- Local people often lacked skills for job opportunities
- Development projects sometimes harmed traditional farming
- Surplus of educated youth unwilling to take manual jobs
This discontent fueled frustrations that contributed to the rise of nationalist sentiments.
What role did ethnic and religious rivalries play in nationalist movements?
They fueled tensions among ethnic groups, leading to discrimination and political mobilization against British rule
For example, the restriction of Malay nationality in 1949 encouraged discontent among Chinese populations.
Why were charismatic and Western-educated leaders important for nationalist movements?
They united different ethnic groups and absorbed political ideas that challenged imperial rule
These leaders played a crucial role in articulating nationalist demands and mobilizing support.
Why were nationalist movements a threat to British interests?
- Demonstrated mass support
- Forced British respect for political organizations
- Utilized mass mobilization and action
- Sometimes adopted militant tactics
These factors complicated Britain’s ability to maintain control over its colonies.
How did the Malayan Races Liberation Army (MRLA) and Malayan Communist Party (MCP) threaten British rule?
- Conducted militant attacks
- Organized strikes and disrupted transportation
- MCP declared illegal in 1948
- High Commissioner Sir Henry Gurney was shot in 1951
Their actions provoked a state of emergency in Malaya.
Why did the British cooperate with UMNO?
To defeat the Communists and counteract militant independence movements like the MRLA and MCP
UMNO offered a positive program of action that aligned with British interests.
What was the effect of ethnic tensions on the path to independence in Malaya?
Britain restricted Malay nationalism to those of Malay ethnicity in 1949, which slowed the path to independence
This restriction fueled further ethnic divisions and tensions.
Which regional groups were pushing for independence in Nigeria?
- National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC)
- Action Group
- Northern People’s Congress (NCP)
Each group represented different ethnic interests and had varying goals for Nigeria’s future.
How did ethnic tensions affect Nigeria’s path to independence?
- Nationalism derived more from pan-Africanism
- Conflicts between Yoruba and Igbo intensified
- Southern nationalism influenced by European ideas
- Negotiations with the British were difficult
These tensions complicated the process of constitutional change and unity.
What reforms did the British implement in Nigeria from 1946 to 1954?
- Drew up three constitutions
- Faced political controversy
- Limited reforms due to ethnic tensions
The reforms aimed to address rising nationalist sentiments but were hampered by divisions.
What evidence showed British fear of nationalist movements in the Central African Federation?
- Creation of the CAF in 1953
- Emergence of black nationalist congress parties
- State of Emergency declared in Nyasaland in 1959
The British sought to control the situation but faced significant backlash and resistance.
Why was the Rhodesian Front’s declaration of UDI in 1965 damaging to Britain’s decolonization process?
- Rejected as illegal by Britain and the UN
- Imposed sanctions were ineffective
- Revealed Britain’s impotence in dealing with rebels
The situation highlighted the challenges Britain faced in maintaining its influence in former colonies.
What were the causes of the Mau Mau Rebellion?
- Kikuyu squeezed off land in the ‘white highlands’
- Confined to inadequate reservation lands
- Violent evictions
- Unemployment and poor conditions in towns
- Significant over farming
- Colour Bar
These factors contributed to the Kikuyu’s grievances and rising tensions against colonial rule.
To what extent was Britain to blame for the Mau Mau Rebellion?
- Regime based on privileged white settlers
- Grievances caused by actions of white settlers
- Governor announced self-government not possible soon
These actions fueled frustrations among the Kikuyu and other communities in Kenya.
What did the participants of the Mau Mau Rebellion hope to achieve?
- Protest against rising prices
- End colonial rule
- Racial equality
The rebels aimed for independence and an end to oppressive colonial conditions.
Who was Dedan Kimathi?
- Leader of the Mau Mau rebellion
- Used oaths for solidarity
- Employed guerrilla tactics against the British
- Captured in 1956 and executed in 1957
- National hero in Kenya
His leadership played a crucial role in the rebellion’s organization and execution.
What methods did the Mau Mau rebels use?
- Killed 95 Europeans and 13,000 black people
- Intimidated people to take oaths
- Committed extreme violence
- Planned guerrilla attacks
- Used stolen weapons and traditional weapons
Their methods included psychological intimidation and physical violence to enforce loyalty and fear.
What were the Lari massacres?
A mass killing where men, women, and children were herded into huts, set on fire, and hacked down with machetes
This event exemplified the brutal violence during the conflict.
How did the British respond to the Mau Mau Rebellion?
- Sent thousands of troops
- Declared a State of Emergency
- Suspended black African political rights
- Imprisoned black leaders
- Formed strike squads for assassinations
- Relocated Kikuyu villages
The British response was marked by severe military action and repression of civil rights.
What were the results of the British response to the Mau Mau Rebellion?
- 1,100-1,200 people killed
- 81,000 detained
- Amnesty offered and later revoked
- Land reform initiated
- Shift towards independence
- Multiracial party formation
The British response ultimately led to significant changes in policy and governance in Kenya.
How was the rebellion reported in the British media?
- Coverage of the Hola Camp atrocities
- Growing outrage in Britain
- State of emergency lasted until 1960
The media’s reporting contributed to public awareness and criticism of British actions.
What were the consequences for the British colonial government after the rebellion?
Showed poor preparedness for large-scale insurrection
This failure highlighted the inadequacies in the colonial administration’s ability to manage dissent.
What were the consequences for Kenyan nationalists following the Mau Mau Rebellion?
- Over 200,000 Mau Mau fighters killed
- Little reconciliation for detainees
- Jomo Kenyatta remained in prison
- Political ban lifted in 1960
- Kenyatta released and became KANU leader
- Kenya gained independence in December 1963
These outcomes marked a significant turning point in Kenya’s struggle for independence.
