UN's influence on British Empire

Question 1

How did the United Nations founding principles challenge imperialism?

Answer 1

• The UN wanted to maintain peace and security but imperialism often challenged this e.g. with the use of coercion
• Within the founding principles was the notion of equal rights and self-determination. Imperialism inhibited the expression of both
• Often imperialism resulted in instability and tensions; two things which the UN wanted to prevent

Question 2

By 1945, what was challenging the economic benefit of imperialism for colonies?

Answer 2

• After the Bretton Woods agreement and the war, the dollar was a more attractive trading currency and the US a more attractive trading partner
• Investment into the empire could be facilitated through the US, IMF or World Bank

Question 3

By 1945, what challenged the promise of security and protection from the British empire?

Answer 3

• The British army had proven ineffective in battles including the Pacific. Public opinion in Britain was also against their further deployment
• The USA seemed a more effective military partner. The USSR was also another alternative

Question 4

How did the General Assembly challenge the need to be part of the empire?

Answer 4

Within the General Assembly, all member states had a vote and a voice. This platform was hence not needed from the British. For dominions, this aspect of the UN was particularly attractive

Question 5

How did the Security Council both challenge and support British imperialism?

Answer 5

• Its goal was to help maintain peace and security which reduced the need for British help to do so within the colonies
• However, Britain had a veto on the security council and hence maintained significant control and status

Question 6

How did the International Court of Justice challenge and support British imperialism?

Answer 6

• The ICJ was a new body able to administer fair justice (potentially a lot more farier than the legal system of Britain)
• However, it was a body designed for international cases and the court’s decisions only applied when countries willingly participated. Hence, it wasn’t a replacement of the British legal system

Question 7

What happened to the League of Nation’s mandated territories under the UN?

Answer 7

They became trust territories under the UN Trusteeship Council. This council oversaw the transition of colonies to independence

Question 8

When did Togoland became independent from its trust territory status? Cameroons? Tanganyika?

Answer 8

Togoland = 1957

Cameroons and Tanganyika = 1961

Question 9

How did the Economic and Social Council of the UN challenge British imperialism?

Answer 9

It was an alternative body who conducted projects seeking to develop medicine, education and social needs.

Question 10

How many nations joined the UN in 1960? How does this relate to empire?

Answer 10

17

This shows how newly independent nations from decolonisation were likely looking to join the UN

Question 11

What were the two cases where the UN had a direct impact on the British empire?

Answer 11

Palestine: solution to Palestine was handed to the UN to resolve by the British in 1947. The UN established a partition plan there which Britain supported.

Suez: All the UN (except Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) condemned the 1956 invasion. Sent a peacekeeping force to Suez to supervise the withdrawal of British, French and Israeli troops

Question 12

What are the limitations with the UN’s influence in Palestine and Suez?

Answer 12

• Britain willingly handed the solution of Palestine over to the UN
• It was pressure from the US and USSR which also drove withdrawal from Suez and hence emphasis can’t be placed on Suez alone.