Interwar Colonial Development?

Question 1

What was going on in East Central Africa?

Answer 1

• Amery, Tory high imperialist politician, wanted to create a union and use white settlers as agents in the scheme; settlers wanted the promise of self-government which Amery agreed to
• Not very fair to natives (letting racist settlers rule Southern Rhodesia) but Br could afford the cost of administering region (running cost as well as Company debt of 4.5m)

Question 2

What happened to Southern Rhodesia as a result?

Answer 2

• In 1923 it passed into the hands of the white Legislative Assembly (all power to them)
• Meant Colonial Office couldn’t stop the discriminatory Land Apportion Act of 1930

Question 3

Reaction in Kenya to the African union idea?

Answer 3

• Far few settlers in Kenya than in Rhodesia (9651 among 2.5m Africans)
• Resistance in Kenya from maverick whites and Africans themselves
• Also big Asian population there (23k in 1923) didnt wanna be dominated by whites

Question 4

White Paper of 1923?

Answer 4

AKA the Devonshire Declaration

Declared that the interests of Africans must be parament

Question 5

What ultimately led to Amery’s plans failing?

Answer 5

Royal Commission in 1929 said the point of a closer union would be native policy, rejecting the Great White Domion Idea
Amery resigned in 1929

Question 6

BUT what actually happened in Kenya?

Answer 6

The White Settlers were still in charge: 2-3k strong community dominated the Legislative council used their influence to extend Kikuyu from Northern Highlands

Question 7

Was there willingness to fund development in the colonies?

Answer 7

AAR of Lugard’s ‘Dual Mandate’ book, arguin that Britain had a duty to develop a colonies’ resources and rpevent the exploitation of the natives

Question 8

Egs of colonial development?

Answer 8

• Sudan: 1920- Britain gave 3m for the gezira cotton scheme to increase cotton production BUT THIS COMPROMISED A MAJOR IRRIGATION PROJECT
• Eas Africa: 1925- 10M for improving rock and dock facilities
• Palestine: 1926: 10m loan

Question 9

What was the Colonial Development Act 1929?

Answer 9

1 million of treasury funds for development across the Empire

Question 10

BUT overriding belief about African colonies?

Answer 10

Expected to be self-financing

Question 11

Colonial Welfare and Development Act of 1940?

Answer 11

Stopped colonial ‘self-sufficiency’; 5m funded broad and ambitious projects in Africa, and 500k given for research

Question 12

Colonial Welfare and Development Act of 1945?

Answer 12

Made 120m available for all purposes during 1946-8; no limit on research; the idea of trusteeship introduce where administrators would protect native interests
IE a concession of British power)

Question 13

how much did Britain distribute for developments c.46-51 in Africa:

Answer 13

40.5m BUT during the same period the Treasury insisted that 250m earned by colonies from their export land was to be deposited in LDN