These notes cover the role the major nationalist leaders and colonial administrators played in bringing about independence between . They are for the new a level specification and are to an A*standard.
Section 4: The Winds of Change 1947-67 Chapter 22: Attitudes to Empire – the Role and Influence of Individuals
Chapter 22: Attitudes to Empire – the Role and Influence of
Individuals
To What Extent were Nationalist Leaders able to shape British Imperial Policy
1947-67?
Reasons Nationalism grew 1947-67
• Urbanisation/Economic development from WW2
• Education
• Inspiration from Indian independence
• Changed world after WW2 – both main powers are anti-imperialist
• Failings of Britain to govern effectively
• Political concessions
• Unity and leadership helped bring disparate people together
• Cold War -quest to find moderates to work with
How did the leaders able to apply pressure on the British government?
• Some were politicians that negotiated with the British
• Peaceful non-cooperation – influenced by Gandhi
• Violent protest or threats of violence e.g. rioting
• Forming political organisations and fighting election campaigns
How influential were they in bringing about decolonisation?
• Led nationalism movements – often became leaders of the new nation states
• Widespread support for them in the colonies – ad public opinion behind them
• Influential in other places e.g. Nkrumah
• They had the opportunity to negotiate directly with the British
• But, Britain was prepared to gaunt independence
• The mass movement was important
• Not all nationalist leaders were supported by the people in the nation – e.g. Kenyatta and there was conflict
after independence
• Within African colonies there was the fear that power would be seized by one tribe, region or religious
group. Britain was in a position to play off one group against another as it had done effectively in the past
e.g. Nkrumah and Ashanti tribe– similar problems in Asia with communism
• Britain could hope for support from conservative vested interest groups within the colonies if there was
threat of social upheaval
• Britain had the military power to hold nationalist movements in check
• Britain allowed movements to grow through constitutional reforms
• Britain wanted to maintain some control despite decolonisation – deliberately chose people they thought
would create a stable situation
Kwame Nkrumah – Gold Coast
Political affiliation
• General Secretary of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGGC) - goal of national independence
• Convention People’s Party (CPP)
Actions in quest for independence
• 1945 - Helped organise 5th Pan African Congress in London
• Formed Convention People’s Party which pressured British administration to make further concessions
• Became Prime Minister between 1953 and 1957 – proved it was possible for indigenous people to rule
responsibly
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