The Impact of WW2 on Empire Flashcards
contribution from the empire
5 million fighting troops - India gave 2.5 mill, Africa 600,000, Anzacs gave 1 mill
use of natural resources e.g. tin from Nigeria and steel from South Africa
The Atlantic Charter 1941
in an attempt to win USA support, Churchill met Roosevelt
pledge to respect the rights of all individuals to choose the form of government under which they live
claimed it did not apply to the Empire
involvement in WW2 in SE Asia
loss of singapore in 1942 (Britains main naval base in region) - largest surrender of british troops
1942 - Hong Kong, Malaya and Burma seized
1944 - attempted invasion of India
impacts of war in SE Asia
30,000 Indian troops captured at Singapore and joined the INA
in Burma = Burma national army created, led by Aung San who sided with Japan
no more white invincibility
involvement from North Africa
1939 = Britain effectively took control of Egypt - wanted to preserve access to Suez and oil
use of repression e.g. Shah of Iran was deposed
Germans were driven back by battle of El Alamenin
PM of Iraq tried to negotiate with Germany = exiled
consequences in North Africa
independence movements grew stronger
British influence over the middle east and Egypt was secured
promises made by the British
1940 and 1945 Development and Welfare acts
Gold Coast and Nigeria given African majority in legislative councils
Kenyas council had 1st african member
Britains weaknesses - USA and the USSR
USSR did most of fighting, controlled most of E Europe, Britain may need to maintain military presence in Europe to defer threat
USA emerged as richest country, in 1945 = 1/2 of worlds manufactured goods, nuclear bombs, no fighting at home
Britain’s weaknesses - economics
destruction had cost 1/4 of its wealth
most foreign assets had been sold
1945 - exports were £350 million (40% of pre war)
in debt of £35 billion
became dependent on America
impact on Anzacs
fall of Singapore and Burma made it obvious Briatins inability to defend Aus and NZ and so turned to the USA instead
impact on Canada
1940 = set up a joint defence board with the USA
Impact on Eire
NONE - did not fight
other problems in Britain
increased opposition to British rule as exploited resources during the war
success of Japanese = no more white invincibility
USA had an anti colonial outlook as well as UN
Labour government under Attlee
aims of Attlees labour government
give greater freedom to the individuals
promoted creation of a new Britain
create a welfare state
doubted morality in Empire
impact of WW2 in Britain
lost 40,000 people
destruction of cities
owed £2500 million to the colonies
consequences in Burma
little strategic interest after Indian independence
restoration of British governor who believed reconstruction should precede economic change = heavy nationalism
independence in Burma
Sept 1945 - agreed that the Burma national army would be incorporated into a new army
Sept 1946 - growing nationalism increased ungovernability of the country, governor replaced with more liberal Rance
Dec 1946 - not able to commit sufficient troops = independent in 1948
issues in Palestine in 1945
200,000 displaced Jews in Europe after Holocaust = sympathy
Arab-Jewish relations deteriorating - Jewish terrorism by Stern Gang and Irgun
Truman favoured jewish resettlement in palestine
British policy in Palestine in 1945
foreign secretary Bevin was doubtful about mass Jewish immigration as wanted to keep Arabs on side for oil but knew needed USA on side due to declining economic position
possible solutions in Palestine
- Unitary state = favoured by Arabs who would be able to dominated, rejected by Jews
- Provincial autonomy = divided into areas with a measure of self control, Jews rejected
- Partition = Arabs rejected
Anglo-American committee
recommended immediate admission of 100,000 Jews
but rejected by both Jews and Arabs
led to increased Jewish terrorism - bombed King David Hotel 91 killed
actions of the UN in Palestine
1947 = 100,000 british troops which cost £40 mill a year and still unable to keep order, gave to the UN
Sept 1947 - independence should be granted and partition should occur
creation of Israel
1948
neighbouring Arab states tried to invade but defeated by Israelis
impact of war in Ceylon
little strategic importance after Indian independence
nationalists used cooperation, 1931 = governor would rule with help of an elected council and universal suffrage for elections
1943 = full internal self government
1948 = complete independence and remained in Commonwealth
