Section 4: Winds Of Change Flashcards
1
Q
What was labours aim + ideas regarding Empire 1945-51? (Post war)
A
- Guide colonial territories to self-gov within commonwealth
- Ensure fair standards of living + Freedom from oppression
- Self Gov goal but considered far distance
- Pre-mature withdrawal = anarchy, Soviet subversion, dictatorship, loss of GB influence
2
Q
What’s GB Relationship with Old Dominions
A
- GB most reliable friends
- Dominions tied to GB by; Common interests, ancestral, cultural ties
- Dominions had own; Interests, separated identities
- 1951 ANZUS military pact (Australia, NZ, USA) = USA taken over GB role in pacific?
3
Q
What was the idea of the New commonwealth?
A
- Association of ‘free + equal’ independent states transcending race
- Surrendering costs of formal Empire whilst maintaining ties (protecting GBs economic interest + influence)
- Commonwealth idea = Big family of nations which can mediate over disputes
- 1948 Attlee ‘We are not solely a European power but a member of Great Commonwealth’
4
Q
Problems with New common-wealth post WW2?
A
- Not all Countries enthusiastic (India, Pakistan, Ceylon)
- Members enjoyed no natural unity + little in common
- GB didn’t offer enough reward for association
5
Q
Compromises to prevent collapse of new Commonwealth?
A
- Before 1948 dominions required recognise GB Crown as head of state
- GB no effort to allow Eire (Ireland) or Burma to become republics + stay in Commonwealth
- India determination to be republic = issue as it was big trading partner + vital ally in communist continent
- compromise = India become republic whilst remaining in commonwealth + accepting GB as head of commonwealth rather then head of India
6
Q
How did Sterling Area bring the commonwealth together?
A
- GB struggling after WW2 this reinforced commonwealth solidarity
- Almost all dominions + several independent countries used sterling + banked overseas earnings in London
- Had to support GB BECAUSE danger of pound collapse 1947 = threatened all with bankruptcy
- Sterling area members tied more closely to common trade policy (obliged them to buy more Imports from GB)
- Became a closed economic block = 1/4 population + trade
7
Q
What was the sterling Area?
A
- Sterling area refers to the countries which were tied to GB due to the Pound
- Countries which used the pound as currency or base their currency on the pound + Banked overseas earning in London
8
Q
GB hopes for African colonies after WW2?
A
- Supply them mineral wealth, men for armed forces (replace Indian army) + estimated 400k imperial army could be provided
- Development colonial economies = boost purchasing power for colonial consumers THUS helping compensate GB industry for lost markets due to WW2
9
Q
What GB did to encourage African development after WW2?
A
- Attlee’s (Arthur Jones) colonial secretary determined aid colonies as economic + social development = crucial for self GOV
- 1945 Colonial development + Welfare Act (120 mil + loads of money compared to other acts and at a time where GB was poor due to WW2 + NHS)
- 1948 Colonial Development Corporation + Overseas Food Corporation (improve living standards)
10
Q
When + What was Colonial development and Welfare Act?
A
- 1945
- £120m over 10 years to assist colonies – way more money compared to previous acts + GB poorer at time due to WW2 + NHS
11
Q
What is meant by the term second colonial occupation?
A
- GB anxious to develop colonial economies to provide GB urgently needed raw material
- GB Gov interfered in all areas of economic life (people sent to Africa with schemes for agricultural improvement)
- New Aggressive approach (Nicknamed ‘Economic Colonialism’
- GB didn’t lack will to maintain empire + role as global power THUS empire took new role post WW2 (GB wanted 3rd force in world politics)
12
Q
What + when was Tanganyika Ground nut scheme? + consequences?
A
-1948
- Attempt to reduce deficit of oils + fats in GB
- Cost GB 36m
- But failed to provide oil or employment for Africans
- Example of economic mismanagement (wasn’t isolated case)
-
13
Q
Labour Government ideas VS reality
A
IDEAS
- Claimed to abolish old capitalist imperialism
- Idea to genuinely raise colonial living standards
- Stress continuously placed on mutual benefits which GB + Colonial ppl would have due to overseas investment
REALITY
- Exploited colonies of all worth
- Restricting investment
- Controlled trade + Prices of commodities + rationing goods which they could purchase from GB
- Sometimes rather less power given To indigenous leaders
- 1945-51 Colonies forced to lend GB more money then GB invested
- Attlee’ Gov allowed GB dependencies to be exploited more then ever
14
Q
Hod did Labour Gov reform GB colonies in West Africa? Why?
A
- WW2 = need to widen representative Gov + develop timetables for self gov
- Tried to convey idea of working with nationalists to prepare colonies for independence
- 1948 Accra Riots = System of universal suffrage to elect an assembly in Gold Coast (BUT GB still control finance, police, civil service)
- Nigeria, aware of events of Gold Coast successfully pressed for more political participation
15
Q
Why were Gold Coast + Nigeria considered an exception?
A
- Well populated
- Educated elites capable of taking Gov responsibility
- Neither had large numbers of white settlers
- Gold Coast especially was on way to independence by time labour left
16
Q
Result of Attlee GOV introduced?
A
- Helped create conditions in which colonial politicians would have means to organise on a large scale = Dive out GB rule
- African independence movement gathered momentum = No Gov could have prevented it
17
Q
How was GB rule of Malaya organised?
A
- GB allied with Malayan elites
- Population multi-racial (Malayan + Chinese)
18
Q
Why was Malayan Important to GB?
A
- Economically; 1/3 worlds tin + loads of rubber (bulk of these products being sold to USA = important source of dollars)
- Rubber alone had earned more currency than all of GB exports to USA in 1940s
19
Q
Labour proposed political reforms for Malaya? Why?
A
- Wanted stronger more viable political unit
- 1948, Grouped states + settlements into Federation of Malaya
20
Q
What was Malayan Emergency?
A
- Malayan communists (exploited Chinese community dissatisfaction + encouraged by communist Success in China) Strikes up
- State I’d emergency declared = thousands GB troops
- 1000+ civilians + security forces killed in 1951
- Lasted till late 1950s
21
Q
How were GB able to counter the communists in the Malayan emergency?
A
- Most Malayan population still pro GB
- Resettled hundreds of thousands Chinese in specially guarded villages
- Claimed to battle for Malayan hearts + Minds
22
Q
GB position in Middle East by late 1940s
A
- despite loss of Palestine GB still dominated Middle East
- Troops in Suez Canal Zone
- Shared responsibility with Egypt for Sudan
- Military bases in Iraq + close ties with Jordan (Army was commanded by GB officer)
23
Q
Why Middle East so important to GB according to Labour foreign secretary?
A
- Oil + Suez
- Keep GB sphere of influence + keep Russian influence out
- Central to Imperial defence
24
Q
Where did Labour accept that colonial rule was over? + Why?
A
- India + Pakistan 1947
- Burma 1948
- Palestine 1948
- Strong nationalist movements + Violence
- Ethnic tensions (referred Palestine to UN)
- GB not enough resources to Police region + not economically viable
25
Churchill aims for empire 1951-55?
- Convinced in GB superiority + Need to match top powers
| - Preserve commonwealth + Empire (This quickly changed to self-Gov)
26
Churchill problems with Imperial policy?
- Poor GB economy
- Competition getting stronger Germany, France, Japan
- Treasury warned GB too many foreign responsibilities to its resources
- Churchill + Eden opposed ditching foreign commitments (worried about international status + economy)
27
Ways Churchill Gov advantage in its imperial policy?
- USA more concerned about keeping European allies devoted to war on communism then decolonisation
- USSR not really involved outside Europe = GB imperial position was free from external pressure
- 1951, economy improved (1949 Devaluation of pound from $4 to $2.80 helped GB exports)
- Africa, traditional leaders (very powerful) little interest in promoting nationalist mass movements they couldn’t control
28
How did Winston Churchill approach in West Africa?
- 1955, accepted that Gold Coast + Nigeria be independent (experts said it made little difference to GB economic + Strategic interests
29
What was the Mau Mau Emergency?
- 1952-56
- Kikuyu tribe protested rising prices + Europeans had best farming land (previously belonged to kikuyu) + racial discrimination
- kikuyu Failure of peaceful protests = Violence
- Kikuyu killed 95 Europeans + 13K black ppl (most worked for white ppl)
- GB sent thousands troops to Kenya to suppress (Very violent)
- GB resettled thousands of kikuyu in restricted villages
- 20k Mau Mau fighters killed
- Most Kenyans = little desire to back the movement
- GB sponsored welfare programs for ethnic groups who were Loyal
30
When did Mau Mau emergency start? (Under which MP too?)
-1952-56 (Churchill)
31
GB Violence approach to Mau Mau emergency 1952-56?
Through imperial history GB wanted to act within law BUT Kenya became police state = dispensing racial terror
- GB formed strike squads = assassinations (massacred innocent + guilty)
- 1090 Africans were hanged between 1952-56
- GB used torture
- GB resettled kikuyu in hundreds of villages (curfews, restrictions, labour camps,searches ect)
32
How did Winston Churchill approach in East Africa?
- East Africa less developed ; Tanganyika, Uganda, Kenya (Very few educated + Loads tribal divisions)
- Kenya = loads white settlers (held political, economic, social power) Thus determined to resist Black rule (supported by conservatives)
- Kenya Mau Mau Emergency 1952-56
- GB create East Africa Federation
33
How did Winston Churchill approach in Central Africa?
- White settlers 0 intention of giving power to black majority
- Attlee + Churchill both supported Central African Federation
34
What was the Central African Federation? When created?
- 1953
| - Gave white minority self-rule but GB maintained veto over any legislation that worsened position of black people
35
How did Churchill approach Suez + Egypt?
- 1951, 40k troops in Suez (unpopular)
- Churchill = Suez vital importance
- 1936, Anglo-Egyptian due to expire in 1956 (GB lawfully can't keep troops)
- 1952, Cairo riots (many GB buisnesses destroyed)
- 1952, group of Egyptian army officers siezed power = King farouk Exiles
- 1953, GB + New Egypt Gov agree = Sudan 3y virtual home rule (after can choose independence or union with Egypt) -> Sudan pick independece 1956 (pleases GB)
- 1953, GB agree Suez base not needed
- 1954, Agreement = troops withdrawn in 20m but GB reoccupy if Egypt attacked
36
Churchill Approach to Cyprus?
- Hoped Cyprus = alternative base (for GB maintain dominance in middle east)
- BUT, 1954 80% Greek population wanted Greece Union (Turkish minority strongly oppossed)
- (EOKA) Guerrilla organisation terriorist campain = 200 dead
- 1955 GB declares Emergency State + 25K troops sent
- 1957, GB winning = Grivas (EOKA Colonel) announces truce
37
Ways Imperial Policy stayed the same under Churchill 1951-5? (General Gist)
- Continued acceptance of independence in West Africa (Gold coast, Nigeria ect)
- Forced to act out of necessity (kept viable colonies and let others go)
38
Ways Imperial Policy changed under Churchill 1951-5? (General Gist)
- Accepted GB withdrawl from Sudan + Suez
| - Police state Kenya - Reassert authority through aggression, little reason for extent of violence
39
Ways GB stayed committed to maintaining a presence in Middle East post WW2?
- 10K troops Suez Canal Zone
- Control Aden, Cyprus + Air bases in Iraq
- GB finance Jordan’s Army
- GB negotiate with Arab League (make sure of communist resistance)
- BUT Arab league won’t support GB while they have military in Egypt
40
What was the plan behind Sevres Protocol ?
- Secret plan; Israel invades Egypt + GB demands ceasefire and troops removed from Suez Canal Zone
- As a result GB would invade suez to ‘protect it’
41
Key Developments between GB + Egypt 1951-6?
- 1951 King Farouk suddenly rejects Anglo- Egyptian treaty (1936)
- 1952 -> Nasser overthrows King
- 1953, Agreement over Sudan independence
- 1954, Agreement over Suez (GB phases out troops in suez + in Egypt respects GB operation in suez and independence of Suez Canal company which GB owns)
- 1955, Baghdad Agreement (GB treaty with Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, Persia BUT Nasser refuses + encouraged Jordan as he signs arms deals with Czech (communist) + Syria = Eden fuming)
- 1956 Aswan Dam plan (Nasser wants dam but GB, USA withdraw financial aid due to communist connections = USSR fund project)
- 1956 Nationalisation of Suez (GB 44% bought out + very popular move in Middle East)
42
What’s the Anglo-Egyptian treaty? Date?
- 1936 + agreement was to last 20 years
- Treaty between GB + Egypt declaring GB troops leave Egypt
- BUT allows 10K GB troops around suez
43
Baghdad Agreement what + when ?
- 1955
- GB fears of communism = GB treaty with Turkey, Pakistan, Iraq, Persia
- BUT Nasser rejects + encouraged Jordan to not + Signs arms deals with Czech (communist) and allied with Syria
- Eden angry with Nasser
44
Why did France + Israel back GB with Egypt?
- GB + France + Israel united by desire to remove Nasser
- France wanted Nasser out as they had shares in suez + He promoted Algerian nationalism
- Israel wanted to Weaken Egypt (Arab rival)
45
What actually happened due to the sevres protocol?
- Suez Crisis
46
When was suez crisis ?
1956
47
What happened after Israel invaded during the suez Crisis?
- Egyptians refuses ceasefire
- GB + French invade Suez Canal Zone
- Extreme Egyptian resistance = ships sunk + suez blocked
- International disapproval of GB actions
48
Why GB have to withdraw from Suez after the crisis and hand over the police action to the UN?
- GB miscalculated international reaction (USA) as they didn’t inform USA prior
- Change in world power = USA + All but 2 commonwealth countries condemned GB + GB public condemned it too
- Aggressive guerrillera campaign
- Soviets threaten nuclear weapons on London + Paris
- Shortage of oil (due to blocked canal)
- Sterling crisis (international withdrawal of investment)
- GB cease fire within 5 days
49
Consequences of Suez Crisis? No longer world power?
- GB no longer world power
- GB never act alone again on international affairs without consulting USA
- Nationalist movements encouraged (Pushed harder = GB surrender)
- Acknowledgement GB can’t retreat from Empire while keeping GB power
- GB military not longer could be used
- Eden forced to resign
50
Argue that GB was undamaged and still superpower after Suez Crisis?
- 1959 Conservative won election again (suez crisis didn’t damage reputation that much)
- USA relations quickly restored (GB too important ally vs communism)
- GB still dominated Sheikhdoms in Arabian Gulf
- GB Military presence still in Middle East + around world (until 1960s) + Nuclear Weapons
- Still defended oil interests in region
51
How did GB power in Middle East weaken 1956-67?
- 1959 Iraq left Baghdad Pact after Monarchy was overthrown 1958
- 1959 GB base in Middle East granted independence
- By Mid 60s = GB only controlled air bases in Libya + Few protectorates over some Sheikhdoms
- GB rule faces more nationalism (e.g evacuate Aden)
52
What was the purpose of the Baghdad pact?
- Prevent communist influence spreading in the Middle East
53
Who took over Eden in 1957?
- MacMillan
54
what were McMillans views on Empire?
- Publicly Denied intention of giving up Empire + abrupt withdraw
BUT IN REALITY;
- Wanted to hand over power to the ready colonies
- Thought he was destined to be liquidator of empire
- Cabinet Colonial Policy Committee set up to review costs of empire + found GB connected to colony too long = dangerous to leave quickly BUT by 1959 MacMillan believed time to decolonise
