3.2.3

Imperial Defence

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Imperial Defence, 1914-1947

Defending the Empire posed three key problems for the British Empire: economic difficulties, facing new right-wing regimes in the 1930s, and addressing the nationalist movements in British colonies.

Economic difficulties

Economic difficulties

  • Between 1914 and 1947, Britain faced significant economic difficulties.
  • The Great Depression caused exports to fall and global trade fell 16% in just 1 year between 1931 and 1932 (Eichengreen & Irwin, 2010).
  • The Gold Standard also collapsed, making trade between nations more difficult. Mathy & Meissner (2011) say that the "Gold Standard was a constraint in terms of recovery".
  • At the same time, the Second World War worsened Britain's Balance of Payments position and increased Britain's Debt to GDP ratio to 240%.
New threatening regimes

New threatening regimes

  • The rise of right-wing regimes posed a threat to the Empire.
    • Imperial Japan threatened Asia and invaded Manchuria, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and other nations.
    • Fascist Italy threatened Africa (attempting to conquer Abyssinia in 1935).
    • Nazi Germany threatened Europe on the Western Front, capturing France and the Netherlands and seizing territory on the Eastern Front.
Independence movements

Independence movements

  • Rising nationalist independence movements increased the cost of maintaining control in the Empire. More British troops were needed in each country as a % of the total troops in order to maintain British control.
  • Eventually, if the cost of maintaining control rises and a larger percentage of the population is dissatisfied, one wonders whether the purpose of control is oppression, instead of security.
Britain's policy of appeasement

Britain's policy of appeasement

  • Facing the economic challenges of the Great Depression in the 1930s and the rising dissatisfaction in its Empire, Britain appeased Hitler to avoid conflict and hoped that the League of Nations would resolve any problems.
  • Arguably, the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, who is infamous for his policy of appeasement, underestimated Hitler's ambition.
Unravelling of British policy

Unravelling of British policy

  • France and the Netherlands fell to Germany in 1940.
  • Japan attacked Singapore in 1942.
  • The Indian National Army began to fight against British troops in India alongside the Japanese forces in 1942.
  • Britain was becoming increasingly isolated and stretched financially and militarily.
Jump to other topics
1

High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914

1.1

Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890

1.1.1Empires over Time1.1.2Key Questions About Empires1.1.3Expansion into Africa1.1.4History of Egypt1.1.5Control of Egypt1.1.6Control of Sudan
1.2

Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890

1.2.1The British Empire & India1.2.2The British Raj1.2.3International Relations with other Powers1.2.4Scramble for Africa1.2.5The Informal Empire
1.3

Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890

1.3.1Trade & Commerce in the Empire1.3.2Infrastructure of Trade & Commerce1.3.3Products of Trade & Commerce
1.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890

1.4.1Explorers1.4.2Missionaries1.4.3Traders & Colonial Administrators1.4.4Government Attitudes Towards Imperialism
1.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890

1.5.1Relations with India1.5.2Relations with South Africa1.5.3British-Boer Relations
2

Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914

2.1

Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914

2.1.1Consolidation & Expansion into Africa2.1.2Consolidation & Expansion in South Africa2.1.3Historical Interpretations: Expansion into Africa
2.2

Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914

2.2.1Policy in India2.2.2Policy in Egypt2.2.3Native Policy in Colonies2.2.4International Relations with Other Powers
2.3

Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914

2.3.1The Benefits of Trade2.3.2Costs of the Empire2.3.3Debates Over Trade
2.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914

2.4.1Key Administrators - Chamberlain & Rhodes2.4.2Key Administrators - Baring & Milner2.4.3Key Administrators - Curzon2.4.4Government Attitudes to the Empire2.4.5National Efficiency & the Boer War2.4.6Popular Attitudes Towards Imperialism
2.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914

2.5.1Challenges in India2.5.2Challenges in Africa2.5.3Challenges in South Africa2.5.4Historical Interpretations of the Boer War2.5.5Relations & Business with Iran
3

Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967

3.1

Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947

3.1.1Impact of WW13.1.2Palestine3.1.3Ireland & WW13.1.4Impact of WW2 on the British Empire
3.2

Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947

3.2.1Administration in India & Palestine3.2.2Administration in Iraq & the Dominions3.2.3Imperial Defence
3.3

Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War

3.3.1Economic Impact of WW13.3.2Inter-War Trade & Commerce3.3.3Economic Impact of WW2
3.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914

3.4.1Colonial Administrators3.4.2Trusteeship3.4.3Gandhi3.4.4Montagu, Haig & Linlithgow3.4.5Cameron, Mitchell, Cohen & Furse - African Admins3.4.6Imperialist Ideals
3.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947

3.5.1Ireland & India 1914-19473.5.2The Middle East and Africa
4

The Wind of Change, 1947-1967

4.1

Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967

4.1.1Reasons for Decolonisation4.1.2Decolonisation in East & West Africa4.1.3Decolonisation in Central & South Africa4.1.4Decolonisation in Asia
4.2

Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967

4.2.1Relations & Business with Iran after WW24.2.2The 'Winds of Change'4.2.3The Suez Canal Crisis - 19564.2.4International Relations 1947-1967
4.3

Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967

4.3.1The Economic Impact of WW2
4.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967

4.4.1Colonial Administrators: Cohen & Arden-Clarke4.4.2Local Leaders in the Independence Movement4.4.3Pan-Africanism in Nationalism
4.5

Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967

4.5.1Windrush & Immigration4.5.2Commonwealth Immigrants Act4.5.3Residual Impact of the Empire
4.6

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967

4.6.1Challenges to Colonial Rule Post 19474.6.2Kenya & the Mau Mau Uprising4.6.3Nigeria & Rhodesia

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Administration in Iraq & the Dominions

Economic Impact of WW1