Section 3: Imperialism challenged 1914 - 47 - Impact of WW1 Flashcards
How did WW1 weaken Empire economically?
War cost = £35,000million and £4bn had to be borrowed from USA
The strain on the economy - arms manufacturing and industry which had to support campaigns in Turkey and Egypt and Europe
How did WW1 contract Empire?
The growth of nationalism - the promises of independence had not been granted e.g GB had promised Arabs in the middle east but not fulfilled such promises
Which country became independent from Empire in 1922?
Egypt - but remained client state till 1954
What nationalist took place in 1916?
The Easter Rising in Ireland - 450 killed and 2,000 injured - Irish rebels who wanted a free state became martyrs for Irish independence, IRA established ]weakening Empire - guerilla warfare
What social issues did WW1 reveal
Racism - e.g fears about white nurses tending to Indian and Black soldiers
How did WW1 strengthen Empire through expansion?
New territories - League of Nations mandates (from Ottoman Empire) included:
- Palestine
- Iraq or Mesopotamia
Why was the Palestine mandate important for Empire?
For economic and strategic reasons - the main overland route to India and proximity to Suez
Palestine - key declaration in 1917?
Balfour declaration - the GB foreign secretary sent letter to Walter Rothschild (a prominent Jewish banking family) expressing sympathy with Jewish zionists (wanted a separate Jewish homeland)
What was the Balfour declarations motive?
Made it clear that a separate Jewish state would not be granted and Palestinians would not be undermined - wanted to win support of anti-imperialist Americans for GB influence in Palestine
Why was Palestine unstable (socially and politically)
Zionism growth - Commission in 1918 for Jewish rights - Muslims and Arabas responded with own orgs. = violent clashes between Arabs and Jews. Jewish immigration to Palestine grew to 6.8% by 1918
How did Dominion involvement in WW1 strengthen Empire?
Australia, New Zealand, and Canada contributed troops to war effort - solidified and unified relations
When did New Zealand and Canada introduce conscription?
New Zealand 1916
Canada 1917
How did India contribute to WW1?
Economically: 917 - gave $100 million to war effort
Militarily: 1/3 of all troops in British army in France were from Indian army
How did Africa contribute to WW1
Egypt (protectorate since 1914)
- defended Egypt and Middle East
- sent 100,000 troops to Europe
Black Africans (southern Africa) - not recruited to fight but forced to work as labourers, porters e.g 1 million in Tanganyika against Germany
South Africa - 136,000 white troops in Middle East and France