Why did the British Empire grow and contract: 1914-1947

Question 1

Mandates

Answer 1

• Britain (and France) said that the colonies were underdeveloped, mandates a were compromise as they aimed towards self-rule
• 1,800,000 square miles and 13 million subjects under British control: Palestine, Transjordan, Mesopotamia, Cameroon, Togo and Tanganyika
• Sykes-Picot agreement on 1915 decided how to split up Middle East

Question 2

Mesopotamia

Answer 2

• Pros: Overland path from Suez Canal to Asia and India and oil rich making it economically important
• Cons: 14,000 troop garrison to defend and Arab rebellion in June 1920 had to be suspended through force due to wartime promise of independence
• Outcome: Ruled as mandate from 12 years from 1920 until nationalist movement led to independence in 1932 under King Faisal I however retained rights for military and air force base in British-Iraqi Treaty 1930

Question 3

Palestine

Answer 3

• Pros: Land was main route to India and close to Suez
• Cons: 9,000 troops, 13,000 police and £9 million per year to Garrison
• Problems: Turkish force conscription and seize crop making Palestinians nationalist, problems as Britain had promised independence during the war to keep Palestinians fighting

Question 4

What happened in India

Answer 4

• Indian Congress stress their contribution and desire for Indian Independence leads to Montagu promised more ‘responsible government’ in August 1917
• Labour Govt. conclude it is no longer woth keeping India
• 1947 Govt. sent Lord Louis Mountbatten as new Viceroy to bring about Indian indepdnace ASAP
• Led to extreme violence between Hindu and Muslims, at least 1 millsion killed

Question 5

Egypt after WW1

Answer 5

Granted formal independence but remained a client state until 1954 leads to British troops withdrew when Anglo-Egyptian treaty was signed in 1936 but Britain could still defend the Suez

Question 6

Why did Britain withdraw from India

Answer 6

• Fear India would resistst if kept
• Activities of INA led to fear of Indian Army not being reliable
• No longer great Market for British cotton exports

Question 7

Balfour Declaration

Answer 7

1917 Arthur Balfour promised support for homeland for Jews in Palestine:

• Done as attempt to win support for anti-imperialist America
• Led to violent clashes between 1918 and 1920 and a Revolt in 1936

Question 8

Examples of contraction pre-WW2

Answer 8

Ireland
Mesopotamia

Question 9

Examples of contraction post-WW2

Answer 9

India
Burma

Question 10

Examples of expansion post-WW1

Answer 10

Mesopotamia
Egypt
Palestine