Inter-War and WW2 on Status Flashcards
How was rising nationalism in the colonies in the inter-war period a threat to Britain’s international status?
- It forced Britain to make concessions to its empire and weaken control over its colonies
- Questioned whether Britain could rely on their empire if needs must
- Nationalism in Egypt and India threatened strategic interests in India and Suez
- Overall, made Britain less feared, revered and respected on the international stage
When was the Munich peace conference?
September 1938
In what ways did appeasement with Germany show Britain was no longer a great power?
- Britain was forced to seek peace because the economic and imperial situtation was weakening it
- Hitler fundamentally ignored the agreements, showing that he didn’t respect or fear Britain
- Britain was unable to maintain a balance of power in Europe
How did the 1941 Atlantic Charter cause Britain’s international status to decline?
- It showed Britain was unable to defend itself with its empire; it needed the USA
- The Charter saw Britain agreeing to lower trade barriers and let all people have the right to self determination. This ran counter to imperalism. Britain is thus willing to abandon empire for the USA
What was Lend Lease? How much aid did Britain receive from it?
An American aid program during WW2 from 1941-1945. In return for aid, America gained leases for army and naval bases in allied territory.
Britain received $31bn aid from it.
How much was Britain in debt to overseas creditors by 1945?
£3bn
How did Lend Lease impact upon Britain’s international status?
- It reduced Britain’s status by increasing that of the USA
- USA gained influence over nations to whom they gave aid (moral debt was due and they were able to station troops in said countries)
- Lend Lease was provided to British colonies in Africa, India and the Dominions. Hence, the USA adopted the hegemonic role.
When did Japan invade Malaya? Singapore?
Malaya - December 1941
Singapore - February 1942
How many POWs did the Japanese take after the huge surrender in Singapore? From which countries were the troops from?
80,000 from Britain, India and Australia
What did Australia begin doing in 1942, reducing Britain’s hegemonic status further?
Turning to the USA for help against the Japanese
How did Japan’s advances in the Middle-East threaten British power?
- Caused Britain to lose troops there
- Damaged morale and confidence in the British armed forces
- Left the USA as the only power in the region to regain control
- Provoked the development of nationalist movements e.g. Aung San in Burma or Australia (lost troops in Singapore and had to rely on US help)
How many servicemen from the British empire fought for Britain overall in WW2?
5m
