7.4 Decolonisation

Question 1

There are 7 reasons for decolonisation, what are these?

Answer 1

-Economic impact of the second world war
-Changed international situation
-Emergence of Powerful Nationalist Movement in the Colonies
-Changing Priorities in Europe
-Changing Political Landscape in Britain
-Cultural Shifts and “Americanisation” in Britain
-Specific Problems

Question 2

Explain how the economic impact of the second world war was a reason for decolonisation…

Answer 2

WW2 was long and costly, all imperial powers emerged economically poorer than they entered

Question 3

Explain how the changed international situation was a reason for decolonisation…

Answer 3

United Nations introduced in 1945 as a way of keeping peace in the new post-war climate. Members were pledged to collective security and equality.
Since UK was dependent on USA for defence through NATO and they were heavily hostile to imperialism, American pressure to speed up decolonisation

Question 4

Explain how the emergence of powerful nationalist movements in the colonies was a reason for decolonisation…

Answer 4

Movements to secure independence from the European empires and establish free independent states appeared in all parts of the world.
Whilst strategies varied, all posed some challenge to imperial government, many grew in confidence after seeing victories in other areas of Empire

Question 5

Explain how the changing political landscape in Britain was a reason for decolonisation…

Answer 5

1945 saw election of Clement Attlee and Labour Party who brought with them a comprehensive plan for post-war reform
Attlee wanted to defeat 5 giants of:
-Ignorance
-Idleness
-Want
-Disease
-Squalor

Question 6

Explain how cultural shifts and Americanisation in Britain caused decolonisation…

Answer 6

-Familiarity with and interest in Empire declined after ww2, society subject to Americanisation, influences from USA drove popular culture
-America represented all that was modern to people of Britain 1950s and 60s, Empire was a throwback to Imperial days gone by, many happy to leave in the past

Question 7

Explain how Specific Problems were Reasons for Decolonisation…

Answer 7

No Imperial power immediately gave up on their empire, decolonisation of India and Burma came in response to specific problems in those regions
-More based on belief that benefits of holding on were outweighed by cost of possession
-No immediate post war shift in thinking