Expansion into Africa - History Revision for The British Empire 1857 - 1967 AQA 2015 PDF

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History Revision for The British Empire 1857 - 1967 AQA 2015...

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Expansion into Africa 1857 - 1967

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1857 - 1890 African expansion into: South Africa, Sudan, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, British Somaliland, Botswana, Zambia, India Reasons for expansion - loss of America, abolition of slavery, industrial revolution, international competition Why Africa? - morality (promoting Christianity, commerce and civilisation, after the abolition of the slave trade), economic gain (response to closing markets in Europe, Africa full of raw materials), strategic gain (protecting trade routes, military strategy), political gain (European expansionism, Britain did not want to lose Africa), trade (inland access routes, resources), personal influence (explorers, public and political interest)

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The Berlin Conference 1884-85 - motivated by the start of a European race for African colonies, divided Africa amongst the European powers

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The Suez Canal - Britain used Egypt as a trade route between Europe and Asia, France also knew importance so sent in troops to protect their trade and undermine British interest, cut 6000 miles off

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1914 - 1947 Purpose of Empire - international prestige, economic growth, political power, defence Factors affecting Empire - economic performance, changing attitudes, nationalist movement, war WW1 - Britain declaration of war on behalf of the entire Empire (5m British troops, 1.4m troops from the colonies War extremely expensive, Sterling removed from the Gold Standard, lost markets to other nations, India contributed £146m, borrowed from US WW2 - even greater impact than WW1, loss of major colonies, lost 11.7m tons of shipping, prioritised production for war (less for exports), relied on imports Had to give more colonies more self-rule (making them protectorates) Mandates - Germany lost their colonies, transferred to the control of other countries by the League of Nations The Mandate System - intended to help colonies to become independent nations Balfour Declaration - British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine Palestine - increased Jewish migration to Palestine, Arab states also in Palestine, caused tension between the two, British withdrew (UN took charge) British economic position was weakened, more independence movements

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1890 - 1914 British policy changed towards Africa, and after the Berlin Conference, Britain took official control of most territories Chartered Companies - had to supply evidence of ‘effective occupation’ to allow Britain to take formal control, made claims based on financial/trade opportunities Need for Expansion - Britain needed to know their boundaries were secure, if borders were threatened, they would intervene using force and coercion Over these years, Britain became a protectorate in many countries, such as Sierra Leone, Egypt, Nigeria, Uganda, Nyasaland and Rhodesia (controlled by Britain) Anglo-Ashanti War: consistent tensions between Ashanti and British, Britain wanted to be their protectorate, Ashantiland was incorporated into the Gold Coast Colony in 1902 Mahdist Revolt - against Egyptian government in the Sudan, left the country in a weakened state, Salisbury wanted security around the sea route to India Threats - France, Italy and Germany, all posing threats, battles to solve who had what in Africa, Britain protecting their Empire 1947 - 1967 Beginning of decolonisation - especially in Africa and Asia Reasons for decolonisation - economic impact of the second world war, the changed international situation, emergence of powerful nationalist movements Former colonies were granted or won independence - Empire was dismantled British decline was not unique - France and Holland lost their Empires Changes in international situations - USA and USSR (had more power) Rhodesian Front Party (1961) - dedicated to white controlled independent state, declared independence in 1965 Britain had already had to give up significant colonies - India, Ireland, Egypt, South Africa Burma - independence in 1948 led to civil war and Burmese rejection of Commonwealth membership Britain knew they would have to withdraw but wanted it to be gradual and managed in a way that did not impair British economic and political interests After WW2, there was a decline in national power and a growth in national movements so countries were encouraging others to gain independence Easy withdrawal across Africa (Singapore, Burma) but hard in Malaya and across most of Asia...