These notes cover the growth of nationalism post WW2, particularly in Malaya, Nigeria, the CAF and Kenya. They are for the new a level specification and are to an A*standard.
Section 4: The Winds of Change 1947-67 Chapter 24: Relations with Indigenous Peoples
Chapter 24: Relations with Indigenous Peoples
To What Extent did Britain Remain in Control of the Contraction of the British
Empire 1947-67?
Growth of Nationalism
Why did nationalist movements grow in Britain’s African and Asia colonies 1947-67?
• Legacy of War – Much of the empire was affected by the war, e.g. by direct fighting and/or occupation.
Black soldiers fought alongside white and the colonies expected some reward but Britain’s reluctance
brought disillusionment and impatience
• Economic and Social Discontent – There was rapid post-war economic growth, but sometimes local
people were not always sufficiently skilled to benefit from the job opportunities and some development
came at the expense of tradition farming and employment. When British development projects failed it
was local people who suffered. In some places e.g. Gold Coast, Nairobi, there was a surplus of educated
youth, unwilling to take manual employment – because of efforts to improve education
• Ethnic and religious rivalries – nationalist movements were fuelled by tensions between ethnic groups.
Some felt discriminated against when Britain favoured one above another e.g. the restriction of Malay
nationality to those of Malay ethnicity in 1949 encouraged discontented Chinese to support nationalist
attacks upon Europeans, the political mobilisation of the Ashanti in the Gold Coast and the Yoruba and
Northern Muslims in Nigeria was in response to suspicions that other ethnic groups were being favoured
• Charismatic and Western educated leaders – key figures able to unite different ethnic groups and
factions were crucial for the emergence of nationalist independence movements. All learnt to think
critically, absorbing political ideas about nationalism, liberalism, socialism and Marxism which challenged
imperial rule
Why were these movements a threat to British interests?
• They showed they had mass support which put the British in a difficult position because of their belief in
democracy and self-determination
• They were obliged to bow to respectable political organisations
• Nationalist parties used mass mobilisation and mass action to achieve their aims
• Sometimes they were militant which made it difficult to maintain control
• However, The British allowed nationalist movements to exist through education and some political
representation
Malaya
How did the Malayan Races Liberation Army (MRLA) and Malayan Communist Party (MCP)
threaten British Rule in Malaya?
• They were militant and attacked farms and police stations
• They organised strike activity and disruption of transport and communication with provoked the Malayan
emergency
• The MCP was declared illegal in 1948
• In 1951, the High Commissioner, Sir Henry Gurney was shot by MCP guerrillas
Why did the British co-operate with UMNO?
• In order to defeat the Communists
• UMNO offered a positive programme of action and was ready to combat the very different tactics adopted
by the militant independence movements such as the MRLA and the MCP
To what extent did the ethnic tensions in Malaya slow down the path to independence?
• Britain decided that Malay nationalist would be restricted to those of Malay ethnicity in 1949
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