14.1.14

Impact of WW1 - Indian and African Support

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Indian and African Support for the British Empire During WWI

Just after WWI, Britain’s empire reached its largest ever size. It had commandeered Egypt from the Ottoman Empire at the start of the war. Over 1 million Indian soldiers fought for the British overseas.

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Indian military support for Britain

  • During World War One, over 1 million Indian soldiers fought for the British overseas.
  • Most Indian soldiers fought in the trenches against the Germans on the Western Front (in France and Belgium), against German East Africa (which is now Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania), or against the Ottoman Empire in Egypt and Gallipoli.
  • The Indian Army was split into 'Expeditionary Forces' which were sent to support the British war effort in different regions.
  • In 1915, sepoys guarding the crew of the German ship, the SMS Emden, rebelled in Singapore. This is known as the Singapore Mutiny. The Germans refused to join the mutiny.
Illustrative background for Indian financial support for BritainIllustrative background for Indian financial support for Britain ?? "content

Indian financial support for Britain

  • In 1911, income taxes generated 2% of India's budget. By 1917, this had reached 12%, reflecting the higher tax burden on India to support Britain's war effort.
  • In 1917, Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India proposed the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms, which committed to increased self-government in India.
  • This introduced the idea of dyarchy (dual government).
Illustrative background for African support for the British war effortIllustrative background for African support for the British war effort ?? "content

African support for the British war effort

  • At the start of the war, Egypt was theoretically under Turkish control, but Turkey fought alongside the Germans in World War 1. Britain named Egypt a protectorate and promised to consider Egyptian-led rule after the war.
  • 1.2 million Egyptians defended Egypt and the Middle East as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. Some Egyptians fought in Europe and over 50,000 Egyptians are estimated to have been killed in World War One.
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League of Nation mandates

  • After WW1, the Allies seized German and Ottoman overseas territories.
  • The rights to take these territories from Germany were called 'mandates'.
  • Countries overseeing mandates were meant to be helping the nations reach a stage where they could become independent.
  • A grade mandates: These regions were developed and capable of independence in the near future. e.g. Palestine and Syria.
  • B grade mandates: These territories required guidance before independence. e.g. Tanganyika.
  • C grade mandates: Independence was not considered viable. e.g. New Guinea and Samoa.
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How many troops fought and died for Britain in WW1?

  • According to Kitchen (1996), Canada, Australia, and New Zealand "did not question Britain's declaration of war" and "even extreme nationalist Indians did not oppose the war".
  • 56,638 Canadians, 59,330 Australians, 16,711 New Zealanders, 7,121 South Africans, 62,056 Indians and 3,000 people from East & West Africa died fighting for Britain in World War 1.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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