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Summary A* essay British empire - Colonial policy strength/weaknesses
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A* level essay on British empire strength and weaknesses in terms of colonial policy.
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To what extent did British policies towards its colonies, mandates, Dominions strengthen the British Empire in the inter-war years?
Intro
In the inter-war period British policies did not strengthen
its position in the empire. Although there were some
political and military policies which helped to maintain
Britain’s position, overall their policies increased
resentment towards British rule, both though the lack of
significant investment and their policies of repression and
even the white settler colonies and the white dominions
increasingly lacked support for the British government in
this period showing that rather than strengthening its
position, British polices weakened the empire during the
interwar years.
Point 1 political strength Point 2 military strength
The British made some political reforms in this period British policies towards its military and defence strategy
which partially served to preserve and strengthen its and expenditure largely strengthened its position in the
position in the empire in the interwar years. In India, there empire during the inter war years. The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty
were two Government of India Acts, 1919 and 1935, of 1922 allowed Britain to maintain its air bases and had
which increased the amount of power and self- rites of passage for its troops in the ex-mandate of Iraq
governance which was granted to India in this period. and the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty in 1936 allowed Britain to
However, the reforms were limited which enabled Britain keep 10 000 troops in the Suez Canal Zone and unlimited
to maintain control in India as the Viceroy still controlled numbers in an emergency. These treaties strengthened
the military and foreign policy and still had the right to Britain’s position because they maintained the strategic
veto laws and suspend the constitution. This was benefit of having influence in these regions which was
significant in the short term because it helped to slow the becoming more significant because of the growing issues
demands for an entirely independent India and kept policy in India at the time. The policy of appeasement towards
in India under British control. Italy and Germany in Europe enabled Britain to prioritises
However, in the long-term this simply increased the defence of Pacific which strengthened relations with
resentment towards British rule as the continuing denial Australia and New Zealand because they relied on Britain
of full independence infuriated nationalists and ultimately for defence against a possible attack from Japan. Britain
increased support for them. This political reform therefore modernised its Indian army and spent £25 million on
strengthened Britain in the inter-war years however it was building up its naval base at Singapore which showed its
of less significance because it soon unravelled during and dominions that it was committed to defending them.
following the Second World War. Similarly, the British However, although this helped to strengthen Britain in the
decision to grant Egypt and Iraq independence in 1922 inter war years it too was only significant in the short term
and 1932 respectively strengthened Britain in this period because, during World War Two, Britain’s weaknesses
because it allowed Britain to maintain its strategic, became apparent and Australia and New Zealand turned
economic and military influences in the region without instead to America for military support after the fall of
having the cost or responsibility of governing them which Singapore Feb 1942 ending the myth of white superiority
was useful as Britain’s economy was suffering at the time. and leaving the Anzacs exposed.
However, both regions resented how their countries were
used during World War Two and also became increasingly
hostile towards British influence in their countries so again
this gain was only short term. Overall, British political
reforms in this period helped to strengthen Britain’s
position in the interwar period, but it was of less
significance than other things which weakened their
position because the benefits were only seen in the short
term.
Point 3 econ strength Point 4 failure to address colony interests and nationalism
Britain’s failure to invest in any meaningful way in the The British policy of harsh repression in this period simply
interwar years somewhat weakened its position within the encouraged nationalism and resentment of British rule.
empire. The Colonial Development Act on 1929 allocated The policy of repression adopted in the mandate of
£1 million of treasury funds for development projects in Palestine in 1937-9 attempted to deal with the violence
the empire. This was ineffectual because it was not between the Jews and the Arabs in the region but it
enough money to fund the development needed in its simply antagonised both groups further. Britain limited
empire. Other developments were expected to be funded Jewish immigration into Palestine in 1939 to 15000 Jews
by the colonies themselves, which meant that poorer per year for the next five years to ensure that the Arabs
areas struggled to afford the development needed in their retained their majority. Britain entered the Second World
colonies. After the Great Depression, Britain was in no War aware that these policies in Palestine had outraged
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