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Decline of the British Empire - Coggle Diagram
Decline of the British Empire
Suez Crisis
US Dissaproval
Taught the UK to never go against the US
Embarassing defeat - Could not fully control the Suez Canal
After Suez-Crisis, UK felt that they could not hold on to their empire ---> gave independence to their colonies
Very significant: New president that UK and France can not act without US approval
Loss in Asia
Very significant: The loss in Singapore broke the idea of European invincibility
Some colonies weren't actually beneficial to economy
1947: India, Pakistan, and Burma gain independence
Millions of deaths in ethnic cleansing, but UK leaves mostly unscathed
Mahatma Gandhi is now considered one of the greatest men to have ever lived -> shows how Britain appeared as the weak villains
1948: Ceylon gain independence
June 1948: State of Emergency (Communist insurgency) in Malaya that lasts until 1960
De-colonisation
Tried to lessen the impact by creating the Commonwealth. "went from 8 members in 1950 to 21 in 1965" (298)
Citizens were much more aware of colonial unfairness, and were encouraged to be respectful
Generally less violent than other countries' de-colonisation
Less significant
Loss in Middle East
UK abandons Palestine -> conflict between Jews and Muslims immediately after
Over time left Iran for USA to control more
1968: Britain removes all troops from zones east of Suez
Less significant, mostly following other countries and what happened in Asia
Loss in Africa
South Africa and Rhodesia: white elites took power and left Commonwealth
East African white elites accepted their fate and retreated in silence
1957: Gold Coast granted independence, becomes Ghana
Less significant, mostly following other countries and what happened in Asia