Section 4: The Winds of Change 1947-67 Chapter 23: Post-Colonial Ties
Chapter 23: Post-Colonial Ties
To what Extent did Britain Maintain Strong Post-Colonial Ties with its Former
Colonies 1947-67?
Political Ties
In what ways was Britain proud of its political legacy in its former colonies?
• It was proud of creating new ‘nation states’ with their representative institutions and practices
• Parliaments, ministries, wigged judges and British-style legal systems were all legacies of the British
empire
In what ways did Britain maintain political influence in its former colonies?
• The establishment of a Commonwealth Secretary General and his Secretariat in 1965 permitted the co-
ordination of many Commonwealth activities
In what ways did the Commonwealth help maintain political ties with the colonies?
• It’s emphasis on shared political tradition helped maintain ties
• Regular Commonwealth Conferences, attended by PMs/Presidents took place at least once every 2 years in
London (accept one in Lagos in 1966)
In what ways did continued post-colonial ties enable Britain to maintain a significant international
position?
• The Commonwealth helped to bolster Britain’s international position, providing a stong and wide-ranging
diplomatic network and ensuring Britain’s membership of key international bodies
• Britain’s place on the UN Security Council can be seen as a reflection of Britain’s status acquired through
empire and maintained through Britain’s world-wide influence
Military Ties
Why was it significant that the Commonwealth was not a military alliance?
• The Commonwealth had no formal commitment to Britain
In what ways did the Commonwealth still continue to strengthen British military power?
• Britain continued to maintain a military with a ‘global reach’ and recruited citizens from Commonwealth
nations who all remained eligible to serve in the British armed forces
Where did Britain continued to maintain military bases post-independence?
• Malta
• Cyprus
• Hong Kong
• Singapore
How far did National Service (1939-1960) help maintain strong ties with the
Empire/Commonwealth?
• Of those lower down the social order, the only groups likely to encounter the Empire and Commonwealth
at first hand were men who were required to do National Service and became involved in on of the late
colonial wars e.g. Kenya, Malaya and Suez
• It was abolished in 1960 which closed off the outlet for travel and direct personal experience of the Empire
became rarer
Chapter 23: Post-Colonial Ties
To what Extent did Britain Maintain Strong Post-Colonial Ties with its Former
Colonies 1947-67?
Political Ties
In what ways was Britain proud of its political legacy in its former colonies?
• It was proud of creating new ‘nation states’ with their representative institutions and practices
• Parliaments, ministries, wigged judges and British-style legal systems were all legacies of the British
empire
In what ways did Britain maintain political influence in its former colonies?
• The establishment of a Commonwealth Secretary General and his Secretariat in 1965 permitted the co-
ordination of many Commonwealth activities
In what ways did the Commonwealth help maintain political ties with the colonies?
• It’s emphasis on shared political tradition helped maintain ties
• Regular Commonwealth Conferences, attended by PMs/Presidents took place at least once every 2 years in
London (accept one in Lagos in 1966)
In what ways did continued post-colonial ties enable Britain to maintain a significant international
position?
• The Commonwealth helped to bolster Britain’s international position, providing a stong and wide-ranging
diplomatic network and ensuring Britain’s membership of key international bodies
• Britain’s place on the UN Security Council can be seen as a reflection of Britain’s status acquired through
empire and maintained through Britain’s world-wide influence
Military Ties
Why was it significant that the Commonwealth was not a military alliance?
• The Commonwealth had no formal commitment to Britain
In what ways did the Commonwealth still continue to strengthen British military power?
• Britain continued to maintain a military with a ‘global reach’ and recruited citizens from Commonwealth
nations who all remained eligible to serve in the British armed forces
Where did Britain continued to maintain military bases post-independence?
• Malta
• Cyprus
• Hong Kong
• Singapore
How far did National Service (1939-1960) help maintain strong ties with the
Empire/Commonwealth?
• Of those lower down the social order, the only groups likely to encounter the Empire and Commonwealth
at first hand were men who were required to do National Service and became involved in on of the late
colonial wars e.g. Kenya, Malaya and Suez
• It was abolished in 1960 which closed off the outlet for travel and direct personal experience of the Empire
became rarer
