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Paper 1: The British Empire 1J AQA notes
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Paper 1: THE BRITISH EMPIRE (Topic 1J)
Contents: Covers AS and A-level content
Þ South-East Asia (Burma, Singapore, Malaya)
Þ The Scramble for Africa (Social, economic, political factors)
Þ India (Indian Mutiny and its impact, Administration) AS
Þ India (Amritsar massacre, nationalism, independence) A-level
Þ Attitudes to Empire (Missionaries, Explorers, Jingoism,
Individuals, Popular culture)
Þ General info (Impact of WW1 on Empire, Irish independence,
reasons for decolonisation)
Þ International relations and Policy (Statute of Westminster,
Commonwealth)
Þ Africa (Nationalism)
Þ The Middle East (Palestine, Arab revolt)
Þ South Africa (Expansion, Cecil Rhodes, Boer War,
Independence)
Þ Trade and Commerce (Empire & economy, Imperial preference,
Gold Standard)
Þ Egypt (Suez Canal, Occupation 1882, Suez Crisis)
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South-East Asia
Nationalist movements and leaders:
Burma
Burma: Britain planned to grant independence to Burma shortly after the war following the
violent activities of nationalists and the ascendancy of the AFPFL (Anti-Fascist People's
Freedom League, formerly the Anti-Fascist Organisation) led by Aung San. Atlee planned to
do this at a slower rate, but the accelerated breakdown in order led to a hastened British
withdrawal, with elections planned for 1958. Despite the AFPFL’s majority, they failed to
agree Burma’s future path and Aung San and six cabinet ministers were assassinated by a
rival political faction. Burma became independent in 1958, with the eruption of Civil War
seeing the Burmese turn their backs on Britain and reject entry to the Commonwealth
Singapore
Singapore: Singapore had long enjoyed a high degree of internal control over its own affairs
and had a predominantly Chinese population brought in by the British and were treated
separately from the rest of the Malay peninsula. Only British subjects had the vote for the
Singapore government. The government struggled to contain communist insurgency, with
concessions made to increase the Legislative Council and the electorate. A new left-wing
grouping elected in 1955 sought discussions over independence, with self-government
granted in 1957 following Britain’s satisfaction with Lim Yew Hock. Singapore was
incorporate into Malaysia in 1963, with race riots leading to a breakdown in public order.
Singapore were expelled from Malaysia in 1965 and became a fully independent state.
Malaya
Malaya: Onn bin Ja’afar founded the United Malays National Organisation, campaigning to
rally the Malays against the Malayan Union of 1946 which united British possessions bar
singapore. Drawing on the hostility of many of the traditional Malay rulers, he organised
rallies and amassed sufficient support to force Britain to climb down in favour of the
‘Federation of Malay States’ in 1948 despite their regard of Malaya as crucially important to
their post-war economic and imperial strategies due to its rubber production. Nationalist
leaders in the Malay Peninsula were driven by ideology and race, Onn facing opposition
from Malayan Communists. Nationalism in Malaya brought the ‘Malayan Emergency’, a
violent guerrilla war between 1948 and 1960, with Onn and MCA (Malayan Chinese
Association) leader Tan Cheng Lock participating in successful negotiations for
independence in 1957.
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