Imperial Policy 1947-1967 Flashcards
How was imperial policy post WW2?
Post WW2 there was unprecedented change to international, domestic and imperial situations that forced Britain to change the way it was running its empire
-it was becoming clear that the contraction of empire was inevitable, however the majority believed that empire and the commonwealth was key to economic rebuilding and future prosperity
-Administrators adapted policy to maintain order and balance budgets while also modernising colonial economies and developing new administrative structures to appease and respond to international relations
Where were there key signs of changing imperial policy?
-Administrators often eased traditional indigenous elites aside in favour for new groups of educated professionals
e.g Kenya, Rhodesia, Malysa
-Developed new power sharing structures
(HOWEVER, this could be argued this approach was no different to the dominions and in India before WW2 as divide and rule had always be the preferred method)
What did Macmillan’s famous speech the “wind of change” signify?
-Still on a moral mission but now determined to decolonise in a way that would leave a positive legacy
How much money did Britain receive through the Marshall plan?
$3.3 billion between 1948-1952
What was GB’s relationship with USA?
GB had to adapt to US policy as GB financially and militarily reliant on USA = could no longer act unilaterally
When was the UN established?
1945
How did the Commonwealth adapt post 1949?
Became a “family of friendly nations” on the principle they were free and equal states united by history and shared British values of democracy, human rights and rule of law
How did the Commonwealth become particularly useful for Britain?
It developed to become a key source of soft power that had emerged from the hard power of the British Empire
-based on no legal obligations
Conclusions for Imperial Policy in 1947-1967
-Britain successfully adapts its imperial policy to maintain a global leadership role through its influential soft power, that developed from the legacy of empire, in global organisations such as the Commonwealth and the United Nations
What happened in the Suez Crisis of 1956?
In 1952 what dissatisfied nationalist leader seized power of Egypt through a military coup?
Colonel Abdel Nasser
What was Britain’s co-operative policy in 1953- 1954?
-Reflected Britain’s desire to maintain friendly relations with Arab nations and its financial difficulties
-GB agreed a phased withdrawal from the Suez Canal within 2 years with the right to re-occupation if a conflict threatened the operation of the canal
-In return Egypt promised free access through the canal, maintenance of former GB bases in case of future needs and to respect independence of Suez Canal Company
When was the Baghdad Pact and what was it?
1955
GB-Arab alliance against USSR expansion
Which country refused to sign the Baghdad pact?
-Egypt (Nasser) who pressured Jordan to stay out
-Instead Nasser signed an alliance with Syria and began buying weapons from Czechoslovakia (a communist country)
What happened in June 1956 in Egypt?
Nasser “elected” as president of Egypt after creating a 1 party state
