Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about the similarities and differences between decolonisation in various parts of the British Empire. They examine this process in Ireland, India, Palestine, Africa and the Caribbean, providing them with ample knowledge to compare the experiences of each.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the role of nationalist movements in achieving independence for Britain's colonies in Africa.

Key Notes

• After the Second World War, Britain had initially hoped to retain control of its empire in Africa.
• From 1945, demands for independence from nationalist movements across Britain's African colonies intensified.
• Nkrumah led peaceful protests against British rule in the Gold Coast, which became independent as Ghana in 1957.
• The Mau Mau Uprising meant that Kenya's transition to independence was more violent than in other African colonies.
• The Mau Mau Uprising helped to demonstrate that Britain could no longer rule Kenya and it became independent in 1963.

Vocabulary To Learn

• decolonisation: the process by which colonies ruled by an empire achieve independence
• self government: when people in a community or region make their own decisions about laws, policies, and leadership without outside control
• nationalist: someone who strongly believes in and supports their own country, placing its interests above those of other nations
• guerilla: warfare that involves using surprise attacks and hit-and-run tactics to fight a larger, more traditional military force

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Decolonisation happened in a peaceful and orderly way in all of Britain's African colonies.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Comparing decolonisation across the former British Empire Study Guide
• Decolonisation and the partition of India Study Guide
• Decolonisation in Ireland in the 20th century Study Guide
• Decolonisation in Palestine after the Second World War Study Guide
• Decolonisation in the Caribbean Study Guide