Decolonisation: The British Experience since 1945

Seminar Studies in History

by Nicholas J. White

Concise and accessible, this guide provides an overview of the process of British decolonisation. Dr White syntheses recent historical debate by looking at the demise of British imperial power from three main the shifting emphases of British imperial policy; the rise of populist, colonial nationalism, and the international political, strategic, and economic environment dominated by the USA and the USSR. The book also positions the British experience within the context of European decolonisation and contains many documents which have only recently become available. Introducing the reader to the key debates it the ideal introductory text on the subject.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

153 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 1999

About the author

Nicholas J. White is Reader in Imperial and Commonwealth History at Liverpool John Moores University.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decolonisation by Nicholas White is a great entry into the Seminar Studies in history series. These series typically around 100 pages cover topics at a high level but serve as a seminar for topics with suggestions for further reading as well as primary source excerpts. This one looks at how the British empire reacted to the post World War II world where the path to self determination being pushed by the United States and the Cold War began forcing the British to reevaluate empire. While there are some parallels to the French, Dutch and Portuguese experience covered here there was a uniquely British response to these world events. This book looks at the quick separation of India followed by the importance of Malaysia and the Suez. This book looks at not only political factories, but economic and the relation of the mercantile empire to the value it was bringing the home islands. If you have an interest in the British Empire you will find this a great addition to understanding the context of its decline.

[Brock DeMark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of how the British government navigated the early days of the Cold War, but there is not enough info on anticolonial nationalism movements, here, and how formerly colonized subjects and citizens of the commonwealth drove change (imagining a world beyond empire and forcing Britain out of its colonies).

[Duncan Maccoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book read to study for UK Open University's A326 'Empire: 1492-1975'