Decolonisation from the Metropole Flashcards
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?
Harald Macmillan - British PM in 1960
Named the Winds of Change speech
What stages led to Indian independence in 1947?
The two government of India acts (1919 and 1935) and then the August Offer (1940) paved the way towards Indian independence.
When were the dominions given legislative independence?
1931
Whose theory supports the idea that the metropole intended to prepare colonies for self-government?
Cain and Hopkin’s theory of Gentlemanly Capitalism
Which party supported de-colonisation? When did they come to power? What does this show?
Labour - 1945 - shows British public opinion was less concerned with the preservation of empire
How many British troops died in WWII? How did this lead to British opinion to sour towards the empire?
244,000
Meant that there was a lack of desire to have troops stationed abroad in the colonies
Who said that “We should take our place where we belong … in Europe with our neighbours”?
Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd in 1957
Where were Britain’s military commitments following the Second World War? (indeed political commitments too)
In Europe, preventing the spread of communism and supporting West Germany.
Whose 1957 report showed that Britain was not benefitting economically from the empire?
Macmillan’s Cost-Benefit Analysis Report
How much did British exports to the commonwealth fall between 1950-60?
From 47.7% to 40.2%
How much did British exports to Europe increase by between 1954-60?
29%
How much did the Second World War cost Britain? Why might this help explain decolonisation?
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)
Who argued in 1957 that decolonisation would prevent colonies turning towards the Soviet Union for business and trade?
Marxist-Socialist Economist Paul Baran
Where did America’s condemnation lead to British withdrawal from a colony? When?
Egypt during the 1956 Suez Crisis
What was assured in Article 21 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights?
Every nation had the right to take part in the government of his country
What was the UN response to the Suez Crisis?
To call for an international peace-keeping force
What is evidence against decolonisation being the final stage in the British imperalist process i.e. to give colonies self governance?
- 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
Under which government did most of the decolonisation take place? What does this suggest about the strength of British public opinion on the process?
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.
What was the main strategic purpose of the empire according to the 1948 foreign secretary?
To develop material ressources in the empire so that Britain could rival the USA and USSR
How many colonies were lost between 1948-60?
3 - Sudan, Gold Coast and Malaya
What strategic importance did Egypt play for Britain in the 1950s? What does this show about decolonisation?
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.
Which country can be used as evidence against Britain’s financial situation leading to decolonisation?
Portugal - preserved imperial pressures until 1975 despite weak financial situation
Where did Britain intervene in the empire against rebellion after WW2 despite supposed financial weaknesses?
In Kenya with the Mau Mau Revolt 1952-60
In Malaya against the Communists 1948-52
In Egypt over the Suez Crisis 1956
In which regions have studies suggested that commercial interests had little direct influence on imperial policy after WW2?
India and West Africa
In which region did the USA actually support British colonial interests? Why?
The Middle East and South East Asia (especially Malaya) to limit Soviet influence there
Where did the CIA back a coup to topple nationalists in 1953?
Iran
Where did Britain and the USA put forces in 1958?
Jordan and Lebanon
