What impact did the First World War have on Empire Flashcards
Role of empire during the war
Britain declared war on behalf of the whole empire - believing it would be over by christmas
Britain supplied 5 million men and the colonies sent 2.5 million
supplied Britain with vital food and raw materials
Imperial war cabinet
more joint decision making, symbolise union
but only held 2 sessions and dominated by Britain
Height of the empire
1920 = 24% of worlds land mass and 458 million people
British government during the war
1914 - Liberal party, led by Asquith
1916 - David Lloyd George PM of a coalition
Role of the Dominions
Canada = 4000 volunteered and 50 received medals for bravery
conscription in New Zealand from 1916
Anzacs applauded for bravery in the Gallipolli campaign
Canada supplied munitions - 1/3 used by British army in France 1917
South African defence army fought successfully against German army in its colonies
136,000 white south african troops fought in the middle east and on the western front
republican movements grew
SCALE = 60,000 Aussies, 16,000 NZ, 61,000 Canadians and 7000 SA killed
Role of India
donated £146 million
13 million service men enlisted - 1/3 of those fighting in France 1916 were either Indian or had formerly served in Indian army
74,000 killed
in return Britain promised more responsible self government
Role of Africa
12 million Egyptians recruited - 100,00 fought in Europe, 50% killed
those form East and West africa and black South Africans not permitted to fight alongside British
fought against German-led forces in Tanganyika
delegation from SA attended Versailles peace conference to represent Africa
Role of the Caribbean
1915 enlistment began
British West Indies regiment - 15,000 men joined
did not fight alongside the British, relegated to dangerous roles like trench digging
some fought with West India regiment in Africa
The League of Nations mandates
ToV 1919 stripped Germany of all its colonies - became mandates administered by LoN
Ottoman Empire colonies subject to the same ruling under the Treaty of Sevres in 1920
believed colonies to be too underdeveloped and uneducated to govern themselves and so needed the guidance of Britain and France
Categories of mandates
class A - most civilised and developed e.g. Palestine
B - more guidance needed before independence e.g. Tanganyika
C - independence was not feasible e.g. New Guinea
why was Britain so eager for Palestine and Iraq
secure overland route to India
close proximity to the Suez Canal
Iraq (Mesopotamia) oil-rich
Palestine in the war
helped to fight against the Ottomans at Gallipolli and in return were promised a homeland
1916 Sykes Picot Treaty
between Britain and France
carved up Ottoman empire
France gained Syria
Britain gained Iraq and Palestine
1917 Balfour declaration
US joined the war and sympathised with Jews, UK knew they needed US on their side
sympathy with Jewish Zionists and promised a national homeland for the Jews in Palestine
Aftermath of the Balfour declaration
arrival of British-sponsored Zionist commission in 1918
formation of Muslim-Christain association
violent clashes between the 2 1918-1920
increasing Jewish immigration - Jews 9% of population by 1918 and 17% by 1931
Impact of war on Egypt
granted independence in 1922
but remained a client state until 1954
troops remained until Anglo-Egyptian Treaty 1936 where it was agreed troops would withdraw but continue to defend the Suez Canal zone
Impact of war on Ireland
oldest colony gained independence in 1922
after opposition to Home Rule bills in Ulster in 1913 it was never implemented before war
Easter rising was put down but led to Guerrilla warfare
Anglo-Irish Treaty signed in 1921 and given Dominion status but 6 Protestant counties chose to remain British
