To what extent did British policies towards its colonies, mandates, Dominions
strengthen the British Empire in the inter-war years?
In the inter-war period British policies did not strengthen its position in the empire.
Although there were some political and military policies which helped to maintain Britain’s
position, overall their policies increased resentment towards British rule, both though the
lack of significant investment and their policies of repression and even the white settler
colonies and the white dominions increasingly lacked support for the British government in
this period showing that rather than strengthening its position, British polices weakened the
empire during the interwar years.
The British made some political reforms in this period which served to preserve and
strengthen its position in the empire in the interwar years. In India, there were two
Government of India Acts, 1919 and 1935, which increased the amount of power and self-
governance which was granted to India in this period. However, the reforms were limited
which enabled Britain to maintain control in India as the Viceroy still controlled the military
and foreign policy and still had the right to veto laws and suspend the constitution. This was
significant in the short term because it helped to slow the demands for an entirely
independent India and kept policy in India under British control. However, in the long-term
this simply increased resentment towards British rule as the continuing denial of full
independence infuriated nationalists and ultimately increased support for them. This
political reform therefore strengthened Britain in the inter-war years however it was of less
significance because it soon unravelled during and following the Second World War.
Similarly, the British decision to grant Egypt and Iraq independence in 1922 and 1932
respectively strengthened Britain in this period because it allowed Britain to maintain its
strategic, economic and military influences in the region without having the cost or
responsibility of governing them which was useful as Britain’s economy was suffering at the
time. However, both regions resented how their countries were used during World War Two
and also became increasingly hostile towards British influence in their countries so again this
gain was only short term. Overall, British political reforms in this period helped to
strengthen Britain’s position in the interwar period, but it was of less significance than other
things which weakened their position because the benefits were only seen in the short
term.
British policies towards its military and defence strategy and expenditure strengthened its
position in the empire during the inter war years. The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1922 allowed
Britain to maintain its air bases and had rites of passage for its troops in the ex-mandate of
Iraq and the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty in 1936 allowed Britain to keep 10 000 troops in the Suez
Canal Zone and unlimited numbers in an emergency. These treaties strengthened Britain’s
position because they maintained the strategic benefit of having influence in these regions
which was becoming more significant because of the growing issues in India at the time. The
policy of appeasement towards Italy and Germany in Europe enabled Britain to prioritises
the defence of Pacific which strengthened relations with Australia and New Zealand because
they relied on Britain for defence against a possible attack from Japan. Britain modernised
its Indian army and spent £25 million on building up its naval base at Singapore which
strengthen the British Empire in the inter-war years?
In the inter-war period British policies did not strengthen its position in the empire.
Although there were some political and military policies which helped to maintain Britain’s
position, overall their policies increased resentment towards British rule, both though the
lack of significant investment and their policies of repression and even the white settler
colonies and the white dominions increasingly lacked support for the British government in
this period showing that rather than strengthening its position, British polices weakened the
empire during the interwar years.
The British made some political reforms in this period which served to preserve and
strengthen its position in the empire in the interwar years. In India, there were two
Government of India Acts, 1919 and 1935, which increased the amount of power and self-
governance which was granted to India in this period. However, the reforms were limited
which enabled Britain to maintain control in India as the Viceroy still controlled the military
and foreign policy and still had the right to veto laws and suspend the constitution. This was
significant in the short term because it helped to slow the demands for an entirely
independent India and kept policy in India under British control. However, in the long-term
this simply increased resentment towards British rule as the continuing denial of full
independence infuriated nationalists and ultimately increased support for them. This
political reform therefore strengthened Britain in the inter-war years however it was of less
significance because it soon unravelled during and following the Second World War.
Similarly, the British decision to grant Egypt and Iraq independence in 1922 and 1932
respectively strengthened Britain in this period because it allowed Britain to maintain its
strategic, economic and military influences in the region without having the cost or
responsibility of governing them which was useful as Britain’s economy was suffering at the
time. However, both regions resented how their countries were used during World War Two
and also became increasingly hostile towards British influence in their countries so again this
gain was only short term. Overall, British political reforms in this period helped to
strengthen Britain’s position in the interwar period, but it was of less significance than other
things which weakened their position because the benefits were only seen in the short
term.
British policies towards its military and defence strategy and expenditure strengthened its
position in the empire during the inter war years. The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1922 allowed
Britain to maintain its air bases and had rites of passage for its troops in the ex-mandate of
Iraq and the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty in 1936 allowed Britain to keep 10 000 troops in the Suez
Canal Zone and unlimited numbers in an emergency. These treaties strengthened Britain’s
position because they maintained the strategic benefit of having influence in these regions
which was becoming more significant because of the growing issues in India at the time. The
policy of appeasement towards Italy and Germany in Europe enabled Britain to prioritises
the defence of Pacific which strengthened relations with Australia and New Zealand because
they relied on Britain for defence against a possible attack from Japan. Britain modernised
its Indian army and spent £25 million on building up its naval base at Singapore which
