How did the indigenous peoples respond to British rule: 1947-1967

Question 1

Gold Coast

Answer 1

• 1946: Burns Constitution was drawn up: Established Legislative Council of 12 British nominees and 18 elected African members
• 1949: Convention People’s Party (CPP) was founded by Kwame Nkrumah: Pressured British administration to make further concessions
• 1950: Nkrumah was jailed due to his “positive action” (non-violent) campaign turns violent
• 1951: CPP won two thirds of the seats in the Legislative Assembly
• 1957: Elections for independence with full adult suffrage
• 6th March 1957: Gold Coast became fully independent as Ghana

Question 2

Nigeria

Answer 2

• 1946 Richards Constitution: Greater African representation however Ultimate power with executive Council & Governor-General
• 1951 Macpherson Constitution: Allows right to vote extended and National Council of Ministers
• 1954 Federal Elections: Nigerian govt formed of 3 British officials + 9 ministers from regional parties
• 1959 Federal Elections: Moves towards full independence for Nigeria
• October 1960: Nigerian Independence

Question 3

Kenya

Answer 3

• 1947: KAU forms, led by Kenyatta, advocating independence from Britain.
• 1950: Mau Mau uprising begins, challenging British colonial rule:
• 1952: Kenyatta arrested due to suspicions over involvement with the Mau Mau, boosting nationalist movement in Kenya
• 1957: Direct elections increase African representation in Legislative Council.
• 1960: KANU established, led by Kenyatta, advocating independence.
• 1962: Kenya gains internal self-government; KADU emerges for decentralization.
• 1963: Kenya gains full independence with Kenyatta as Prime Minister.
• 1964: Kenya becomes a republic within the Commonwealth.

Question 4

Britain and the Mau Mau (Kenya)

Answer 4

Mau Mau uprising begins, challenging British colonial rule:

• Due to regain land from the white settlers and gain more African representations
• -Led to State of Emergency in 1952, suspends all Black political rights with Mau Mau treated as terrorists and sent people to ‘rehabilitation camps’ (11,000 killed)

Question 5

Northern Rhodesia

Answer 5

• Britain vetoed the Nationalist prisoners in Northern Rhodesia and ordered there release.
• After the CAF was dissolved. Britain placed in the steps to a majority rule Northern Rhodesia.
• In 1964 Kenneth Kaunda Led Northern Rhodesia to independence and named it Zambia

Question 6

Burma

Answer 6

• 1945: Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL): Composed of several Burmese organisations (Burmese Independence Army, Burmese Communist Party, People’s Revolutionary Party), Organised anti-British civil disobedience, protests, riots
• 1946: Instatement of Hubert Rance (Supports Burmese independence) Places Aung San in charge of the ruling Executive Council, relocating control of Burma to nationalist leadership
• December 1946: Britain declares intent to retreat from Burma calling it ‘ungovernable’
• 1947: Conference in London agrees Independence agreed by 1948