Section 3: The Winds of Change 1947-67 Chapter 20: Colonial Policy and Administration
Chapter 20: Colonial Policy and Administration
To what Extent was the Labour Government Successful in Developing the Empire
and Commonwealth 1945-51?
- British colonial policy aimed to guide the Colonial Territories to responsible self-government within
the Commonwealth in conditions that ensure to the people concerned both a fair standard of living
and freedom from oppression. Self-government was the ultimate goal, but self-government was
considered far distance. Premature withdrawal would only result in anarchy, Soviet subversion,
dictatorship and the loss of British influence
Relations with the Old Dominions
What were the British government’s ambitions for its relationship with the old Dominions? What was
the reality?
• They were regarded as Britain’s most reliable friends, tied to Britain by common interest and ancestral and
cultural ties
• However, the Dominions had their own interests and were prepared to assert separated identities
• The ANZUS military pact was formed between Australia, New Zealand and the USA in 1951 which implied
that the USA had taken over Britain’s responsibilities in the Pacific
Development of a New Commonwealth
What was the new Commonwealth that Attlee hoped to build?
• An association of free, independent states which would transcend race, colour and creed (belief)
• It envisaged the new Commonwealth serving as an effective vehicle of British influence
• It was seen as a way of surrendering the costs of formal control whilst maintaining informal ties which would
help protect Britain’s global economic interests and influence
• It liked to think of the Commonwealth as a family of friendly nations around the world which could lend
critical support and mediate over disputes
• It was a body of ‘free and equal’ states, with no legal obligation to one another but united by their history
• Atlee declared to parliament in 1948 that ‘we are not solely a Europea power, but a member of a great
Commonwealth and Empire’
What were the problems with trying to build this ‘new’ Commonwealth?
• India, Pakistan and Ceylon did not share the enthusiasm of the white Dominions for the great power
pretensions of Britain, still less their support of British colonial rule elsewhere
• The members of the new commonwealth enjoyed no natural unity and its members had little in common with
each other
• Britain could not offer enough reward for association in the form of trade, investment and defence {it may have
been better for these nations to remain non-allied with any country because they didn’t want to get drawn into conflict}
• Talk of a racial partnership did not appeal to white South Africans who had implemented the policy of
apartheid in 1948. Given SA’s strategic and economic importance (major source of uranium and gold), Attlee’s
government toned down its criticism of Nationalist policies. However, SA policies remained an embarrassment
for Britain and at odds with the idea of the new commonwealth
• Different governments throughout the Commonwealth
What compromises had to be made to prevent the collapse of the ‘new commonwealth?
• Before 1948, Dominions had been required to recognise the British Crown as their head of state
• In 1947-8, Britain had made no effort to bend the rules to allow Eire or Burma to become republics and state
within the Commonwealth
• India’s determination to be a republic in 1948 was a major concern
• India was a potentially vast trading partner and a seemingly vital ally in a continent where communist
influence was advancing rapidly
Chapter 20: Colonial Policy and Administration
To what Extent was the Labour Government Successful in Developing the Empire
and Commonwealth 1945-51?
- British colonial policy aimed to guide the Colonial Territories to responsible self-government within
the Commonwealth in conditions that ensure to the people concerned both a fair standard of living
and freedom from oppression. Self-government was the ultimate goal, but self-government was
considered far distance. Premature withdrawal would only result in anarchy, Soviet subversion,
dictatorship and the loss of British influence
Relations with the Old Dominions
What were the British government’s ambitions for its relationship with the old Dominions? What was
the reality?
• They were regarded as Britain’s most reliable friends, tied to Britain by common interest and ancestral and
cultural ties
• However, the Dominions had their own interests and were prepared to assert separated identities
• The ANZUS military pact was formed between Australia, New Zealand and the USA in 1951 which implied
that the USA had taken over Britain’s responsibilities in the Pacific
Development of a New Commonwealth
What was the new Commonwealth that Attlee hoped to build?
• An association of free, independent states which would transcend race, colour and creed (belief)
• It envisaged the new Commonwealth serving as an effective vehicle of British influence
• It was seen as a way of surrendering the costs of formal control whilst maintaining informal ties which would
help protect Britain’s global economic interests and influence
• It liked to think of the Commonwealth as a family of friendly nations around the world which could lend
critical support and mediate over disputes
• It was a body of ‘free and equal’ states, with no legal obligation to one another but united by their history
• Atlee declared to parliament in 1948 that ‘we are not solely a Europea power, but a member of a great
Commonwealth and Empire’
What were the problems with trying to build this ‘new’ Commonwealth?
• India, Pakistan and Ceylon did not share the enthusiasm of the white Dominions for the great power
pretensions of Britain, still less their support of British colonial rule elsewhere
• The members of the new commonwealth enjoyed no natural unity and its members had little in common with
each other
• Britain could not offer enough reward for association in the form of trade, investment and defence {it may have
been better for these nations to remain non-allied with any country because they didn’t want to get drawn into conflict}
• Talk of a racial partnership did not appeal to white South Africans who had implemented the policy of
apartheid in 1948. Given SA’s strategic and economic importance (major source of uranium and gold), Attlee’s
government toned down its criticism of Nationalist policies. However, SA policies remained an embarrassment
for Britain and at odds with the idea of the new commonwealth
• Different governments throughout the Commonwealth
What compromises had to be made to prevent the collapse of the ‘new commonwealth?
• Before 1948, Dominions had been required to recognise the British Crown as their head of state
• In 1947-8, Britain had made no effort to bend the rules to allow Eire or Burma to become republics and state
within the Commonwealth
• India’s determination to be a republic in 1948 was a major concern
• India was a potentially vast trading partner and a seemingly vital ally in a continent where communist
influence was advancing rapidly
