MEP10 Reasons For The End Of The British Empire

Question 1

At British empires peak how many people were in it?

Answer 1

450 million

Question 2

Reasons for increasing demand for independence?

Answer 2

• Several of Britains colonies such as Canada and Australia were running their own affairs
• Many Africans and Indians who fought in WW felt they fought to defend freedom but were getting increasingly frustrated that their own countries were not yet free
• British style education systems meant greater access to western ideas like democracy, freedom and nationalism. Many people wanted these for their own countries and began to demand independence
• Researchers and historians were showing how important the cultures and achievements of Africa and Asia had been before Europeans took over.

Question 3

How did india make a large contribution to the First World War?

Answer 3

They provided soldiers, food, materials and finance.

Question 4

How did Britain respond to India helping in the First World War and when did they help?

Answer 4

1919 the British government made slight changes, but the British government still controls much of the country.

Question 5

When was the government of India act passed and what did it do?

Answer 5

1935 and it gave Indians the right to control everything but the army but India was still a part of the British empire and is ruled by a viceroy

Question 6

When was the Muslim league formed and what did it want?

Answer 6

1935 their leader called for a new separate country for Indian Muslims

Question 7

When did Britain offer independence and why did it go wrong?

Answer 7

• 1946 but the Indian national congress (not tied to any particular religion) and the Muslim congress league became involved in a bitter struggle for power. Violence breaks out between Hindus Sikhs and Muslims.
• British leaders agree to part it into Two states Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan

Question 8

When does Pakistanis become independent?

Answer 8

14 august 1947

Question 9

When does India become independent?

Answer 9

15 august 1947

Question 10

Who was Mohandas Gandhi and why was he so important?

Answer 10

• A Hindu former lawyer. He led a series of non-violence protests against the British
• Championed the poor and lived a simple way of life.