Decolonisation Flashcards
1
Q
When did certain countries gain independence from Britain?
A
- 1947: India
- 1957: Gold Coast (Ghana)
- 1960: Nigeria and Cyprus
- 1961: Sierra Leone and Tanganyika (Tanzania)
- 1962: Uganda
- 1963: Kenya
2
Q
What was the state of South Africa’s independence?
A
- made independent from British rule by 1931, but was in the Commonwealth
- from 1948 it was ruled in a system of “apartheid”: enforced racial segregation favouring white people
- resignation from the commonwealth in 1961
3
Q
Why did Britain end its imperial rule due to British politicians believing it was the right thing politically?
A
- consensus between Labour and Conservative against right ring imperial groups
- Macmillan’s speech ‘wind of change’ (1960)
- pace of change from 1957
- containing communism
- French escalation of decolonisation
- racism in the UK
4
Q
Why did Britain end its imperial rule due to British politicians being compelled by events in Africa?
A
- Mau Mau rebellion
- national independence movements in in many areas including Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus
- Suez Crisis
5
Q
Why did Britain end its imperial rule due to economic factors?
A
- empire was costly
- Britain’s debts after WW2 and reliance on US loans
- cost of social reform and defence spending in 1950s Britain
- appeal of US and Europe as alternative trading partners
6
Q
What problems did Britain have in decolonising Southern Rhodesia?
A
- negotiations stalled: no settlement by 1964
- UDI - unilateral declaration of independence followed in 1965
- white-led, racist, rebel country
