British empire after WW1

Question 1

In what year did the empire reach its peak land mass? What proportion of the world’s population did this equate to?

Answer 1

1922 - this equated to 1/5 of the world’s population

Question 2

What caused the Second Boer War 1899-1902?

Answer 2

• Cecil Rhodes was interested in acquiring the Transvaal and Orange Free State since he had gold and diamond interests there as well as an imperial outlook
• The failed Jameson Raid in 1895 had ignited fears of German influence spreading into the region e.g. Krueger telegram

Question 3

Which party won the 1906 election?

Answer 3

The liberals

Question 4

By 1914, what proportion of British imports came from the empire?

Answer 4

24.9%

Question 5

By 1914, what proportion of British exports went to the empire?

Answer 5

37.2%

Question 6

What response did the Boer war have from the international community?

Answer 6

It was condemned because Kitchener and Roberts exploited civilians in order to win it

Question 7

How many British were killed or wounded during the Boer war?

Answer 7

27,000

Question 8

How many civilians were killed in concentration camps during the Boer Wars? What did this show about the British military?

Answer 8

110,000
Highlighted the ineffective nature of British command and soldiers since they had to turn to killing civilians to win the war

Question 9

Which two international agreements following the Boer War marked the end of ‘splendid isolation’?

Answer 9

An agreement with Japan followed by one with Russia and France

Question 10

When did the Boers get home rule?

Answer 10

In 1906 - they became a self-governing state with the Union of South Africa in 1910 too

Question 11

Why did the Liberals coming to power in 1906 signal a move away from imperial support?

Answer 11

Since there were few imperalistic figures within the party. The working class priorities, which the liberals represented more, were more to do with poverty and unemployment. Consequently, national insurance and other benefits were introduced.

Question 12

What was the value of Britain’s imports from the empire each year 1915-1919? What was it previously?

Answer 12

£1161m compared to £714m in the preceding 5 years

Question 13

How many colonials fought for the British during WW1?

Answer 13

2.5m

Question 14

Why did Britain become more dependent on the empire economically after the war?

Answer 14

Because it lost export markets and thus saw the empire as a lifeline to cusion the economic damage of war.

Question 15

What were Britain’s exports to non-developed countries in 1867-9? 1909-13? 1927-29?

Answer 15

1867-9 = 58%
1909-13 = 69%
1927-29 = 75%

Question 16

How much did Japan’s share of Indian import trade increase between 1913-1918?

Answer 16

From 1% to 21%

Question 17

In what way did Canada forge alternative trade links away from the metropole?

Answer 17

Forged links with the USA to export agricultural products

Question 18

When was Egypt given independence? What does this show?

Answer 18

1922 - shows Britain’s weakening abilities to defend its empire

Question 19

Where did Britain begin building a large naval base in 1923? When was it completed?

Answer 19

Singapore

Completed in 1938

Question 20

Which land did Britain gain from the Sykes Picot Agreement?

Answer 20

Palestine, Transjordan, the Persian Gulf, Iraq and in 1919, Persia too

Question 21

Which German colonies did the British gain from the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 21

German East Africa

Question 22

Which further territorial possessions did Britain take in 1919?

Answer 22

Taganyika and more land off the Gold Coast and Nigeria

Question 23

What happened to the pound when Britain rejoined the gold standard in 1925?

Answer 23

The pound was overvalued by 10% which made Britain less competitive on the international market (since exports were more expensive)

Question 24

What happened to overseas investment during the war?

Answer 24

Lots of it was sold to help pay for the war

Question 25

How many men did the British army number in 1918? 1922?

Answer 25

1918 - 3.7m

1922 - 231,000

Question 26

What happened to Britain’s naval funding following the war? How did this compare to France and Japan?

Answer 26

Naval funding fell whereas funding in France and Japan both increased

Question 27

What was the government elected in 1918’s attitude towards the empire?

Answer 27

It was pro-imperial

Question 28

Which new imperialists played a stronger role in government during WW1?

Answer 28

Curzon, Balfour, Milner and Smuts

Question 29

Why did the war improve support for the empire?

Answer 29

Because during and following the war, Britain grew more economically dependent on its empire
Similarly, the empire had supplied men to fight for Britain and hence the appreciation for the empire grew.

Question 30

Which country overtook Britain as the ship-builder in the world?

Answer 30

USA

Question 31

How much was Britain in debt to the USA at the end of the war?

Answer 31

$4bn

Question 32

What was Britain’s share of world trade in 1913? 1938?

Answer 32

1913 = 17%
1938 = 14%