The Change in British Policies and Attitude Toward Africa Between 1938 and 1948

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The Change in British Policies and Attitude Toward Africa Between 1938 and 1948

The conclusion of the Second World War heralded a new phrase in World

History. The devastation of War saw many European states crumble

economically; a climate of increased American economic dominance is

apparent, and the end of British economic prominence is marked by the

1944 Bretton Woods conference/agreement. Everywhere attitudes were

changing. American disdain for imperialism and the flagging success

of previous administrative methods of indirect rule caused a

re-evolution of policy and attitudes toward Empire and particularly in

Africa. In a key speech in July Malcolm Macdonald, Secretary of State

for the colonies, asserts that the main purpose of the British Empire

is “ the gradual spread of freedom amongst all his Majesty’s subjects,

in whatever part of the earth they live”[1]. From then onwards the

Colonial Office policies in Africa took a new direction, as Africans

were seen less as being determinedly barbarous and tribal, and more

with potential for being cultivated into a mind-set where political

independence can be possible. Speaking in June 1939, Macdonald

proclaims that local populations were everywhere “producing more and

more of their own doctors and nurses, their own school teachers and

agricultural officers, their own civil servants and lawyers, their own

leaders in every walk of life”[2]. In this environment change was

eminent and as seen with the rapid decolonisation of Africa in the

late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Britain sought to administer any such

change before it began to happen from under her.

Following the appointment of ...

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[1] R Pearce, The Colonial Office and Planned Decolonisation in

Africa, Africa Affairs, Vol. 83, No. 330 (Jan 1984), P 79

[2] J. Flint, Planned Decolonization and Its Failure in British

Africa, African Affairs, Vol. 82, No. 328 (Jul 1983), P 395

[3] J Flint, P 394

[4] J Flint, P 393

[5] J Flint, P 394

[6] J Flint, P 395

[7] J Flint, P 395

[8] According to Flint, marks a new direction in colonial policy, with

‘self-government’ becoming a paramount concern

[9] R Pearce, P 79

[10] R Pearce, P 80

[11] R Pearce, P 80

[12] R Pearce, P 84

[13] Founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroon’s.

[14] T Falola & A. D. Roberts, West Africa, Oxford History of British

Empire, 20th Century, P 524

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