Decolonisation from the Metropole

Question 1

Who said “the wind of change is blazing through this continent (Africa) and whether we like it or not, the growth of this national consciousness is political fact”? When?

Answer 1

Harald Macmillan - British PM in 1960

Named the Winds of Change speech

Question 2

What stages led to Indian independence in 1947?

Answer 2

The two government of India acts (1919 and 1935) and then the August Offer (1940) paved the way towards Indian independence.

Question 3

When were the dominions given legislative independence?

Answer 3

1931

Question 4

Whose theory supports the idea that the metropole intended to prepare colonies for self-government?

Answer 4

Cain and Hopkin’s theory of Gentlemanly Capitalism

Question 5

Which party supported de-colonisation? When did they come to power? What does this show?

Answer 5

Labour - 1945 - shows British public opinion was less concerned with the preservation of empire

Question 6

How many British troops died in WWII? How did this lead to British opinion to sour towards the empire?

Answer 6

244,000

Meant that there was a lack of desire to have troops stationed abroad in the colonies

Question 7

Who said that “We should take our place where we belong … in Europe with our neighbours”?

Answer 7

Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd in 1957

Question 8

Where were Britain’s military commitments following the Second World War? (indeed political commitments too)

Answer 8

In Europe, preventing the spread of communism and supporting West Germany.

Question 9

Whose 1957 report showed that Britain was not benefitting economically from the empire?

Answer 9

Macmillan’s Cost-Benefit Analysis Report

Question 10

How much did British exports to the commonwealth fall between 1950-60?

Answer 10

From 47.7% to 40.2%

Question 11

How much did British exports to Europe increase by between 1954-60?

Answer 11

29%

Question 12

How much did the Second World War cost Britain? Why might this help explain decolonisation?

Answer 12

Half of her GNP - this meant that Britain potentially lacked the financial capacity to retain control of the empire (she paid for the defence in all the colonies except India)

Question 13

Who argued in 1957 that decolonisation would prevent colonies turning towards the Soviet Union for business and trade?

Answer 13

Marxist-Socialist Economist Paul Baran

Question 14

Where did America’s condemnation lead to British withdrawal from a colony? When?

Answer 14

Egypt during the 1956 Suez Crisis

Question 15

What was assured in Article 21 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights?

Answer 15

Every nation had the right to take part in the government of his country

Question 16

What was the UN response to the Suez Crisis?

Answer 16

To call for an international peace-keeping force

Question 17

What is evidence against decolonisation being the final stage in the British imperalist process i.e. to give colonies self governance?

Answer 17

• Britain’s reticence to give India independence (Government of India acts were concessions to placate opposition). Even in 1919, the Rowlett Acts were attempting to limit the freedom of Indians
• Britain attempted to take back a politically mature nation like Egypt in 1956

Question 18

Under which government did most of the decolonisation take place? What does this suggest about the strength of British public opinion on the process?

Answer 18

A conservative government under Harald Macmillan. Suggests that decolonisation was driven less by British public opinion since Labour stood much more against the empire than the conservatives.

Question 19

What was the main strategic purpose of the empire according to the 1948 foreign secretary?

Answer 19

To develop material ressources in the empire so that Britain could rival the USA and USSR

Question 20

How many colonies were lost between 1948-60?

Answer 20

3 - Sudan, Gold Coast and Malaya

Question 21

What strategic importance did Egypt play for Britain in the 1950s? What does this show about decolonisation?

Answer 21

British oil and trade interests were large in the country, particularly due to the Suez Canal. This suggests that parts of the empire continued to be crucial to British interests in this period.

Question 22

Which country can be used as evidence against Britain’s financial situation leading to decolonisation?

Answer 22

Portugal - preserved imperial pressures until 1975 despite weak financial situation

Question 23

Where did Britain intervene in the empire against rebellion after WW2 despite supposed financial weaknesses?

Answer 23

In Kenya with the Mau Mau Revolt 1952-60
In Malaya against the Communists 1948-52
In Egypt over the Suez Crisis 1956

Question 24

In which regions have studies suggested that commercial interests had little direct influence on imperial policy after WW2?

Answer 24

India and West Africa

Question 25

In which region did the USA actually support British colonial interests? Why?

Answer 25

The Middle East and South East Asia (especially Malaya) to limit Soviet influence there

Question 26

Where did the CIA back a coup to topple nationalists in 1953?

Answer 26

Iran

Question 27

Where did Britain and the USA put forces in 1958?

Answer 27

Jordan and Lebanon