E4

• The Middle East

  Motivations for Expansion and Imperial Policy.

  Zionism - political belief. Balfour Declaration expressed sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations, but would not support the notion of Palestine being an entirely separate Jewish state, did not want to cause tensions with the Arab Palestinian population.
• The Middle East

  Nationalism in Mesopotamia (Iraq)

  Anglo-Iraqi Treaty in 1922 confirmed Faisal I as the new King of Iraq. Senior British Figures appointed to senior government positions to ensure continuing British control. British controlled major military bases and had influence over Iraqi army.

  Second Anglo-Iraqi Treaty in 1930 promised full consultations between Britain and Iraq on matters of foreign policy.

  Short step to grant full independence.
• The Middle East

  Nationalism in Palestine

  WW2 had 200,000 displaced Jews in Europe. Well organised Jewish militia, opposed the British. Palestinian Arabs were supported by all Arab states. Bevin recommended a monthly quota of 1,500 Jewish immigrants this was rejected Zionist agencies. The committee reported in 1946 recommending 100,000 Jewish immigrants to be allowed into Palestine.
• Decolonisation in Asia (1)

  Economic impact of WW2 - long costly conflict.

  Changed international situation - new dominant superpower nations. (USA + USSR) Both hostile to imperialism.

  Emergence of powerful nationalist movements - all posed a challenge. Many grew in confidence.
• Decolonisation in Asia (2)

  Changing political landscape - Labour Party Election 1945, creation of welfare state, no time to for imperialism.

  Americanisation - Interest in Empire declined. Society became subject to Americanisation. (Influenced popular culture)

  Specific issues - More expensive to keep than let them go. Specific problems caused decolonisation in those regions.