Section Four-The residual impact of empire and cultural ties

Question 1

What symbolic/cultural ties still remained throughout?

Answer 1

• Queen remained symbol of the Commonwealth
• Reinforced connections through regular Commonwealth visits and holding regular meetings
• Many people in Commonwealth countries listened to Monarch’s annual Christmas day message
• People in former colonies continued to bear and use anglicised names, live in anglicised communities
• Union jack retained in corners of many flags
• Commonwealth games every 4 years brought Empire together

Question 2

What other popular culture was there and forms of entertainment?

Answer 2

• Empire day ended in 1962 changed to Commonwealth day
• Film; Nostalgia for empire e.g. Zulu (1964) and was positive portrayal of the empire; Westerns become popular
• Literature; Imperial novels become classics e.g The Jungle Book

Question 3

What were the general views of racism and others?

Answer 3

• Legalisation of homosexuality, removal of death penalty

- Attitude softening, people still racist and narrow-minded however attitudes beginning to change