The 'Crisis' of Empire, 1919. Flashcards
Name the six significant events that reflected that Britain was not as in control of the Middle East as the treaty of Sevres first made out.
I. March 1919- Egyptian uprising, II. July 1919- Iraqi nationalist uprising, III. Bolshevik success in the Russian civil war IV. Persia’s refusal to become a protectorate of the Indian Government V. 1922- Britain appeared to be on the verge of war with mustafa kermal’s turkish army over the mosul and chanak crisis, VI. 1917, Balfour declaration- Palestine became far less stable with jewish migration.
What was the ‘Two-prong’ strategy?
Britain’s policy for strengthening it position in the Middle east.
In Britons two prong strategy, which 5 strategic security points did it aim to protect?
Egypt and Suez, The straits and Constantinople, The Persian Gulf, Northern Persia, Palestine.
Other than protecting strategic security points, what was the second part of Britain’s two prong strategy?
sought to establish supportive regimes in the region using a variety of policies.
Economic contraction had what impact upon the dominions in a post war situation?
made them more attentive to their own interests.
What was the ‘yellow peril’ and who was primarily concerned by it?
the Australia and New Zealand fear of mass- Japanese migration.
what role did internal ethnic and cultural divisions play on the imperial dominions?
Canada and South Africa wanted less central control form the metropole, internal divisions always exacerbated this view. however they never wanted to break the imperial connection entirely.
What did the Balfour declaration of 1926 do?
Gave the dominions power to determine their own foreign policy and internal government whilst also restating their loyalty to the crown and empire. also ensured that the imperial navy would continue to provide defence.
What did Irish republican MP’s do in January 1919?
proclaimed and independent parliament in Dublin and declared Ireland a republic. 18 months of guerrilla warfare ensued.
Why did the British government call a truce in Ireland in july 1921?
because they did not have a sufficient amount of troops (estimate: 200,000) to quell the uprising there.
What did the Anglo-Irish treaty (1921) do?
allowed for the creation of an irish free state, 26/32 counties those not included becoming the protestant and loyalist ulster stronghold of northern Ireland.
Why did civil war break out in Ireland after the acceptance of the Anglo-Irish treaty in 1921?
split the republican movement as some thought it was a useful temporary agreement and those who saw it as a permanent settlement. This issue of ulster remained unresolved.
What were the Rowlatt acts (1919)?
announced by the indian government, they passed emergency measures to try and control public unrest and prevent political conspiracy. included stricter control of the press, arrests without warrant, indefinite detention etc.
What was the Amritsar Massacre (1919)?
In March 1919 Gandhi announced a campaign against the Rowlatt Acts.
Gandhi was arrested.
This provoked violent disorder in the Punjab city of Amritsar, where three Europeans, including a female missionary, were killed.
The British response was swift. Troops under to command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer were rushed into the city & political meetings banned.
Dyer marched troops into the enclosed square of Jallianwala Bagh; He ordered his men to open fire on the unarmed crowd.
many were killed.
Identify two successes and two failures of British imperial policy after WWI.
success: gained control, mainly, over the middle east region. imperial relationship with the dominions maintained and perhaps strengthened. Gandhi’s threat of mass-mobilisation essentially failed. League of Nations endorsed british rule in Africa.
Failures: irish problems remain unresolved; country was to remain unstable until WWII. did not achieve total dominance of the middle east. empire on the cheap was achieved, but was this to prove and effective way of running government?
