Tricky Questions - Retreat from empire Flashcards
1
Q
Post world war one what happened to the British empire?
A
It grew:
- Sykes Picot Agreement 1916
- France Britain fill arabian void
2
Q
What happened to the British empire after world war two?
A
- Japanese victories during the war shattered ideas of colonial/European supremacy e.g. 1941 defeat to Hong Kong
- Britain faced pressure from India and Palestine
3
Q
Describe the situation in India during the 20s
A
- Indian national congress under Ghandi since 1921, wanted to drive out British. (he had a high profile after success in SA and India)
4
Q
What had Britain promised to India in 1940, what was the problem in promising this?
A
- post war independence
- But by 1945 congress had split, Hindu majority wanted a united nation whereas the muslim minority want own state (20% of population)
5
Q
When did the British government announce it would quit India? It hoped what would happen?
A
- In 1947, unwilling to hold up its position by force it announced it was going to quit India.
- It hoped for an orderly transition to the creation of Pakistan (but 500,000 to 100,000,000 deaths)
6
Q
In 1947 the British also gave independence to?
A
- Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
- Burma (1948)
- *saw retreat as necessary to uphold imperial system
7
Q
Brief history of the Palestine mandate
A
- Balfour declaration supporting creation of Jewish Palestine in 1917
- Palestine was formerly part of Ottoman empire with Germany in ww1
8
Q
Palestine mandate in 1939 does what?
A
- Wants Britain to restrict Jewish immigration
- Britain faces Jewish uprising
9
Q
What does Britain do to try and solve problem with palestine mandate and Jewish immigration
A
- Goes to UN for solution in feb 1947 for a partition plan but this was never accepted
- results in civil war where Jewish people got most of the land they wanted under the partition plan (Britain withdraws 1948)
10
Q
Who invaded Israel after 1948?
A
Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq
11
Q
What is a very good example of British decline?
A
1956 Suez crisis
