Decolonisation and contesting empire
I can recall that in the mid 20th century, decolonisation and nationalist movements took place across the British Empire.
Decolonisation and contesting empire
I can recall that in the mid 20th century, decolonisation and nationalist movements took place across the British Empire.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Britain had emerged from the Second World War as a diminished power, reliant on America.
- After the Second World War, a wave of nationalist movements took place in the colonies.
- India gained its independence from Britain in 1947 which led to the partition of India and Pakistan.
- In 1948, Palestine was partitioned into two separate independent states: Israel and Palestine.
- In the 1960s, independence was granted to many of Britain's African and Caribbean colonies.
Keywords
Nationalism - nationalism is the support for the political independence of a country
Decolonise - to decolonise is to withdraw from a colony, leaving it independent
Partition - to partition is to divide into parts
Commonwealth - the Commonwealth is an international organisation consisting of states which once belonged to the British Empire
Common misconception
The effects of decolonisation were positive for countries newly independent from the British Empire.
For many newly independent nations, freedom brought many difficulties as well as benefits.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
1960
1962
1962
1962
1963
1966