Impact Of WW2 Flashcards
How was the empire more directly damaged by WW2 than WW1?
Although troops from the Empire had participated in WW1, the very vast area of warfare during WW2 meant the colonies were actually theatres for war, especially in North Africa and Southeast Asia.
- this involvement again meant the colonies expected greater autonomy coming out of the war for the hardships they had to endure
What was Britain’s most devastating loss in Southeast Asia during WW2?
Singapore, February 1942 by Japan (Japan seized most major European imperial possessions in SE Asia)
Why was Japan such a threat to the British empire in WW2?
After seizing Hong Kong, Malaya and Burma, they seemed ready to attack India by the summer of 1942 (the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the empire)
How were the Japanese pushed back by the British during WW2?
. 1944 attempted Japanese invasion of India was narrowly defeated and Britain with allies could then push back the Japanese conquests
- display of the might of the empire, but definitely some lessons to be learned
What was the impact of the Japanese successes in Southeast Asia during WW2?
. The myth of the ‘white invincibility’ of the British empire was ended, although Britain’s arrogance probably still made them feel they were superior
. New confidence to independence movements across Southeast Asia as British influence had been shaken (they might start to realise their empire was too big and allow some autonomy)
How were independence movements clearly more fierce in Southeast Asia during WW2?
. 30k Indian troops captured by Japanese in Singapore joined the INA, aiming to rid Asia and India of British influence
. Burma - independence leader Aung San formed the Burma independence army under the guidance of the Japanese, fighting against the British
Clearly Japanese influence is growing and overpowering popularity of British
How were independence movements clearly more fierce in Southeast Asia during WW2?
. 30k Indian troops captured by Japanese in Singapore joined the INA, aiming to rid Asia and India of British influence
. Burma - independence leader Aung San formed the Burma independence army under the guidance of the Japanese, fighting against the British
Clearly Japanese influence is growing and overpowering popularity of British
How was Britain’s control in North Africa threatened during WW2?
Germans became close to dislodging the British from Egypt which it needed to preserve for the influence and access to suez canal and oil in the Middle East
Were Britain successful in defending their interests in North Africa during WW2?
Yes, they pushed the Germans back at the battle of Al Alamein in November 1942
- this was a good last gasp of strength from the empire as Britain could return to control of Egypt and continuing their interests in the Middle East
Was the economic impact for Britain worse in WW1 or WW2?
WW2
How did Britain get into a trad deficit in WW2?
Most of industrial production was mostly geared towards weapon production, meaning less production was made for exports. This meant Britain were importing more than they were exporting.
Britain tried to get out of this deficit through attempting to reduce imports by campaigning to increase home production and food rationing in Britain, but this wasn’t very successful
How was Britain’s sea-power weakened in WW2 and how did this impact trade?
German U boat attacks (submarines) on British sea traffic resulted in Britain losing 54% of its merchant fleet at the beginning of the war.
Britain needed their merchant fleets to transport goods
How did the influence of Japan in Southeast Asia impact trade for Britain during WW2?
Britain lost many major colonies in Southeast Asia to Japan, and these colonies were vital to Britain for many raw materials.
- the Japanese disrupted trade by cutting off supplies of these vital raw materials to Britain such as rubber from Malaya
How did Britain make many short-term economic sacrifices that weakened the empire in the long-term during WW2?
. Britain sold 1/3 of their overseas assets to pay for the war
. Used colonial reserves (‘sterling balances’) to help pay for the war effort
Who did Britain rely on for imports after WW2?
The empire
- there was considerable investment by colonial governments such as in Africa to increase the supply of foodstuffs and raw materials that had been cut off from Britain during WW2
How did WW2 reveal Britain’s economic reliance on the US, exposing Britain’s loss of status as a global superpower?
. Lend-lease programme from the US supplied Britain with weapons, food and other necessities for the war effort
- this meant Britain came out of the war in massive debt
. Reliance on Marshall plan since 1947 for post-war recovery
What economic moment after WW2 showed Britain’s reliance on the US for preventing economic collapse?
Late august 1945, USA ended lend-lease as they weren’t prepared to support a revived British empire financially. If it wasn’t for Keynes, Britain would have been in an awful economic situation
How did John Maynard Keynes pretty much save Britain from economic collapse after WW2 but what were the consequences?
1945 - Following USA’s sudden ending of lend-lease, Keynes managed to negotiate a massive US loan of around £900 million
This big of a loan wasn’t to come without its conditions: the pound sterling had to be made freely convertible to dollars by the spring of 1947
- this led to the sterling crisis of 1947
