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Summary A* essay on nationalism - british empire
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A* level essay on strength of nationalist movements in British empire.
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‘The nationalist movements in India and Africa in the years 1918-1947 failed to achieve their objectives because the Britishwere too powerful.’
Assess the validity of this view. (25 marks)
Introduction: In India nationalist movements were largely successful in achieving their goals as concessions the British
gave were too limited. In Africa, nationalist visions had broadened out too much stagnating nationalist development.
Point 1: policy of repression enabling power for BR Point 2: Gradual reforms enabling power for Br
Britain’s policy of repression towards India, to a partial The gradual concession that Britain granted its colonies,
extent, allowed them to maintain power. For example, the largely halted decolonisation and supressed nationalist
Rowlatt Act 1919 came into fruition after Britain was objectives. The Government of India Act 1919 allowed a
concerned about strengthened nationalist aspirations limited system of self-government as powers were shared
following India’s massive contribution to WW1 (1.5m between Indian ministers and the British Viceroy
troops) in which Indians believed independence or even (however ministers had to have a degree/title to qualify).
greater self-government should be granted to reward This followed the 1917 Montagu declaration in which
their sacrifice. The act allowed for political cases to be India was promised greater autonomy. These small
tried without juries and gave British authorities the power concessions, in effect, allowed the British to stay in
to arrest and imprison anyone who protested British rule. demand and continue their rule. The Simon Commission
By restricting Indian leadership and not allowing 1929-30 renewed the India Act and recommended
nationalist ideologies to be debated freely, the British incorporating British rule with Princely States.
were able to hold onto the ‘jewel of the crown’ whilst Furthermore, the Government of India Act 1935 sought to
discontent simmered for the next 25 years. Britain often make India completely self-governing and expand the
used brute methods and forceful action to maintain franchise from 7 to 35 million. However, these reforms
power. The Quit India Campaign (August 1942) which were extremely limited and gave added weight to
called for Britain to withdraw immediately from India, was nationalist demands. The Simon Commission had no
ultimately supressed highlighting how the British were too Indian representation showing insensitivity and a lack of
powerful for nationalist movements to be successful and care for indigenous wants, the Round Table Conference
achieve their aims. Police assisted by troops and aircraft 1930-31 rejected dominion status for India due to doubts
were able to arrest 100,000 (including Gandhi) – defeating of the competence of non-white leaders showing how
the dreams of nationalists. Similarly, in east Africa harsh even by the 1930s racist attitudes were still extremely
repression was used. Harry Thuku helped establish the prevalent. Moreover, the GOIA 1935 and 1942 Cripps
Kenya African Study Union 1922 to protect the rights of Report were rejected as they fell short of the
Africans and increase their representation in government, independence enjoyed by white dominions. Despite only
Britain responded harshly, imprisoned Thuku and later issuing minor concessions, Britain clearly presented its
killed 25 Kenyans protesting his arrest. By oppressing racist outlook and led to increased desire for nationalism.
indigenous peoples and imprisoning their nationalist However, in Africa economic developments supressed the
leaders Britain put a halt to decolonisation. objectives of nationalist leaders. The Colonial
However, policies of repression only benefitted the British Development Act 1929 set up £1million of British Treasury
in the short-term. In the long-term, this led to Britain funds for developmental projects. These economic
losing power. In India, the Amritsar Massacre 1919 improvements allowed the British to justify their
resulted in British officials firing against public crowds leadership and halt nationalism. Although, Egypt became
causing c. 300 casualties. This served as a primary catalyst an independent state in 1922, British influence in the
in the demise of British rule in India as it gave the Hindu country remained very strong and the Anglo-Egyptian
Congress and All Muslim league ammunition for Treaty allowed Britain to keep 10,000 troops in the Suez
independence. Britain’s over exertion of power led to Canal Zone and have unlimited numbers in an emergency,
retribution wanted by nationalists – independence. which they did in WW2. Therefore, gradual reforms
helped Britain maintain control in Africa whilst in India
they often came too late to undo the impact of
strengthened nationalism.
Point 3: power of nationalist movements (other nationalist movements)
Eval divided – Pakistan, Africa too broad Instability in Middle East- tensions escalated following the influx
The power of nationalist movements largely led to the of Jewish immigrants entering Palestine, escaping Nazism. Arab
protests mounted an interracial violence increased - 1936 Britain
British losing power and being forced to withdraw. In
had to send 20000 troops into Palestine to deal with Arab and
Egypt there was countrywide revolution against British Jewish rioting.
occupation 1919 after nationalist leaders (including Saad Secret units such as the Stern Gang, a terrorist Zionist
Zaghal) had been imprisoned. This led to widespread civil organisation, waged open war on British and Arabs. In 1947
disobedience, rioting, demonstrations across all classes of Britain were forced to withdraw as they were unable to control
society – men, woman, Muslim, Christian. Despite conflicts
differing views amongst Egyptians, nationalism has
increased so much that Britain was forced to grant Instability in Ireland- the Easter rising 1916 was an unsuccessful
impendence in 1922. pro-independence campaign that led to 88 Irishmen receiving the
In India, divided nationalist movements initially led to the death penalty however this harsh reaction by the British lead to
the nationalist leaders is being held as martyrs and gained public
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