Britain and France: The End of Empire

Summary

The Arab-Israeli War of 1948-49 created deep resentment among Israel’s neighbours and displaced 750,000 Palestinians. In the same year, India and Palestine gained independence from Britain, but nationalist movements were repressed in Malaya and Kenya. Egypt’s Colonel Nasser threatened Western economies by nationalizing the Suez Canal, leading Britain, France, and Israel to conspire to restore control by force. However, international pressure forced them into a ceasefire, dealing a lasting blow to Britain’s national self-confidence. The Suez crisis marked a turning point in Britain’s post-war history, leading to its eventual withdrawal from many of its global commitments. France faced a traumatic winding-up of its colonial empire, particularly in Indochina and Algeria, leading to a prolonged conflict from 1954 to 1962.

The Arab-Israeli War and Britain’s Withdrawal
The Suez Crisis and Its Aftermath
France’s Colonial Empire in Indochina
Algeria’s Struggle for Independence
The End of Empire

The Arab-Israeli War and Britain’s Withdrawal

The Arab-Israeli War of 1948-49 resulted in Israel extending its territorial hold beyond what was initially proposed in the United Nations partition, leading to deep resentment among its neighbours and the displacement of 750,000 Palestinians. Britain’s withdrawal from India and Palestine that same year did not signify a quick end to its other overseas possessions. Nationalist movements were repressed in Malaya and rebellions were faced in Kenya from 1952 to 1956.

The Suez Crisis and Its Aftermath

Egypt’s Colonel Nasser’s nationalizing of the Suez Canal threatened Western economies, leading Britain, France, and Israel to plot a military invasion to restore control. However, international pressure forced them into a ceasefire, marking a turning point in Britain’s post-war history and leading to its eventual withdrawal from many of its global commitments. Between 1960 and 1966, nineteen colonies gained independence, and South Africa left the Commonwealth in 1961. Meanwhile, France faced a traumatic winding-up of its colonial empire.

France’s Colonial Empire in Indochina

France’s colonial empire, second only to Britain’s, was put under great strain by World War II, and political loyalties in French colonies increasingly favored anti-colonial movements. Vietnam emerged as a particularly difficult issue for France. Following a defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the French disengaged from Indochina, which was then taken over by the Americans.

Algeria’s Struggle for Independence

The struggle for Algerian independence from France was a prolonged and violent affair that lasted for eight years from 1954 to 1962. The Muslim population in Algeria had been subject to political and economic discrimination by French settlers, leading to protests against colonial rule. French Prime Minister Mendès-France refused to grant independence and sent the army to suppress the uprising. The violence between the Front de Libération Nationale (FLN) and the French Army intensified, leading to the formation of the Organisation de l’Armée Secrète (OAS), a group of disaffected generals. However, de Gaulle eventually gained 90% of the French electorate’s backing for the ceasefire and the declaration of Algerian independence in 1962.

The End of Empire

By the mid-1960s, fragments of the once-mighty French and British empires were left, and the age of empire was over. The consolidation of pluralist liberal democracy was the most important development in Western Europe, which now emerged as a definable entity with a restructured capitalist economy and a basis of social security for all citizens.

Q&A

Q: What was the impact of the Arab-Israeli War on Israel’s territorial hold?
A: The Arab-Israeli War of 1948-49 resulted in Israel extending its territorial hold beyond what was initially proposed in the United Nations partition.
Q: What happened after Britain’s withdrawal from India and Palestine in 1948?
A: Britain’s withdrawal did not signify a quick end to its other overseas possessions. Nationalist movements were repressed in Malaya and rebellions were faced in Kenya from 1952 to 1956.
Q: Why did Egypt’s Colonel Nasser nationalize the Suez Canal?
A: Egypt’s Colonel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, threatening Western economies.
Q: How did Britain and its allies respond to Nasser’s nationalization of the Suez Canal?
A: Britain, France, and Israel conspired to plot a military invasion to restore control of the Suez Canal, however, intense international pressure forced them into a ceasefire.
Q: What was the aftermath of the Suez Crisis?
A: The Suez Crisis marked a turning point in Britain’s post-war history, leading to its eventual withdrawal from many of its global commitments. Between 1960 and 1966, nineteen colonies gained independence and South Africa left the Commonwealth in 1961.
Q: What happened after France’s disengagement from Indochina in 1954?
A: After France’s disengagement, Indochina was taken over by the Americans.
Q: How did the French colonial empire fall apart?
A: The French colonial empire was put under great strain by World War II and political loyalties in French colonies increasingly favored anti-colonial movements. A prolonged and violent struggle for Algerian independence from France lasted from 1954 to 1962.
Q: How did the conflict in Algeria come to an end?
A: Despite much internal opposition, de Gaulle eventually gained 90% of the French electorate’s backing for the ceasefire and the declaration of Algerian independence in 1962.
Q: What was the impact of the end of empire?
A: By the mid-1960s, fragments of the once-mighty French and British empires were left, and the age of empire was over. The consolidation of pluralist liberal democracy was the most important development in Western Europe, which now emerged as a definable entity with a restructured capitalist economy and a basis of social security for all citizens.
Q: What was the most significant turning point in Britain’s post-war history?
A: The Suez Crisis marked a turning point in Britain’s post-war history, leading to its eventual withdrawal from many of its global commitments.
Q: What were the challenges faced by France’s colonial empire after World War II?
A: France’s colonial empire, second only to Britain’s, was put under great strain by World War II, and political loyalties in French colonies increasingly favored anti-colonial movements.

Conclusion

The end of World War II marked the beginning of the end of the colonial era for Britain and France, as they faced significant challenges to their empires in regions such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The Arab-Israeli War and Britain’s withdrawal from India and Palestine were followed by the Suez Crisis, which dealt a lasting blow to Britain’s national self-confidence. France faced a traumatic winding-up of its colonial empire, particularly in Indochina and Algeria, leading to a prolonged conflict from 1954 to 1962. By the mid-1960s, fragments of the once-mighty French and British empires were left, and the age of empire was over. The consolidation of pluralist liberal democracy was the most important development in Western Europe, which now emerged as a definable entity with a restructured capitalist economy and a basis of social security for all citizens.