The end of the British empire

1. By Sean Doyle The end of the British empire

2. What You Should Put In The Exhibition • I think that your museum is all well and good but if I was going to improve it I would add a section at the end of the tour about end of the British empire and the modern day empire of Britain. • I have made this PowerPoint so I can explain what and why you should have my exhibition in your museum. I will give text and picture suggestions that you could use in the exhibition.

3. India • Britain was in India for the spices and the exotic cloth like silk. In doing so they took power of the king but with out them knowing it. They often were brought over to Britain where they were treated extremely well and were given huge amount of riches. Although the princes and kings though they were being treated well they actually weren’t. They had there land, culture and family taken away from them. In India a lot of the rural people, 80% of the population, were not doing well and possibly died of famine or starvation. When Britain came to India It created lots of jobs such as sailors, farmers or cricketers.

4. India Continued • There were many protests led by princes, kings and one person called Gandhi. Gandhi was born into a rich family who sent him to school in Britain. He disobeyed all the rules Britain had made and joined the congress party. He wanted India’s freedom and his strategy was peace. Back in England the labour party had decided it was against the empire in India and so was the USA. India finally gained its independence in 1945 due to a surprise win of the labour party in the election.

5. Mau Mau-1959 • The Mau Mau was a violent Kenyan group who wanted rid of the British in Kenya. They led attacks on white farms and white people. It became very serious and special units were employed, who were prepared to use brutal methods to stop the Mau Mau attacks. This made Britain have a bad reputation of being brutal and evil to the ordinary Kenyans and the rest of the world. This made the colony in danger of being demolished.

6. Mau Mau Continued • Due to these reasons Kenya finally became independent and Britain left: • USA had said that they and many other large empires were not liking the war and wanted them to leave. Britain could not ignore this because they had a lot to thank the USA for from WW1. • The British prime minister had stated that he wanted African independence in his famous ‘wind of change’ speech. • All the other European nations were leaving their colonies in Africa. • Britain had spent a lot of money, £60 million in fact, on defeating the Mau Mau at a time when the economy was weak.

7. Hong Kong-1997 • Britain was in Hong Kong because it had won two short sharp wars with China. The Chinese gave up Hong Kong Island and the harbour along with the southern Kowloon ‘in perpetuity’ (for ever). The population was overflowing and Britain had just done a deal allowing them on the new territories and Lantau island for 99 years. Hong Kong then became very important place in the British empire for trade and manufacturing. It also was a popular place to live because regulation and taxes were few. This also meant goods were at low prices and the population was rising to one billion.

8. Hong Kong Continued • In 1982 Britain started having talks with China. They were worried because the lease on the new territories, which made up 92% of Hong Kong, was due to end in 1997 and would have to be given back to China. There would not have been enough room for the population and the trade in Hong Kong. • China was insisting to take Hong Kong back and even made a clock in Beijing Tiananmen square ticking down to 1997. Mrs Thatcher, who was prime minister at the time, had a big decision to make. Either let Hong Kong go or refuse. Initially she wanted to fight for Hong Kong after she felt she had done a similar job with Argentina in the Falkland's war but after the persuasion of some horrified British diplomats she settled for giving Hong Kong back to China but keeping it run the same way for the next 50 years.

9. Ghana-1957 • Britain tried to take over Ghana so that they could have a part of the amazing amount of gold in Ghana mainly found on the gold coast. They were also looking for slaves since the slave trade so Ghana was a perfect place. Although in 1950 a man named Nkrumah Kwame, made a political party that wanted a self-government and led out riots and strikes to try and gain independence. His party easily won the election and the country finally became independent and Britain left in 1957.

10. Nigeria-1960 • Britain wanted to expand its empire and get slaves for the slave trade so they decided to take over Nigeria. There was also important jewels and precious items found such as the Benin head. When Nigeria gained its independence, in 1960, it was because of a new monarchy and political party fighting for independence.

11. Cyprus-1960 • In 1925 Britain made a deal with Cyprus stating that if they joined the British army that they would protect Cyprus from threats from Russia. Cyprus then went on to help Britain in both world wars but in 1960 they became independent. They were no longer under British, Greek or Turkish rule.

12. Malaysia-1957 • Britain took over Malaysia for the trade and raw materials it had. In return Britain in partnership with the Dutch would take care of Malaysia. The British slowly conquered most of Malaysia from the Dutch. After WW2 the Japanese then invaded and brought the idea of independence with them. It took till 1957 for Malaysia to finally become independent.

13. Zimbabwe-1980 • Britain took over Zimbabwe for the mining capabilities and what they would be able to find. They found many expensive rocks which could be traded for money. Zimbabwe claimed its independence from Britain in 1980 due to a new prime minister who wanted to take them forward.

14. The British Empire This animation shows what the British empire has been like through the ages. This would be a good video to use because it shows the changing empire.

15. How is the British Empire Remembered Today? When the British empire left many countries , the country often inherited lots of things such as sport, language and religion. Most of the countries that have been in the British empire are now English speaking countries or play a English sport like cricket or football. They may also have people who are Christian. One of the main examples is India and its cricket that it inherited from Britain.

16. Pictures This would be a good picture to use because it shows Kenyans ready with their guns to fight for independence. It show that the warriors were normal village people. It shows the prime minister Kwame winning the election and marks the start of independence.

17. This shows the ceremony when Hong Kong was handed back to china in 1997 This shows the ceremony when Malaysia finally became independet in 1957.

18. This picture shows the day when Cyprus became independent and Britain signing of the rights to it. This picture shows the ceremony when Nigeria became independent in 1960.

19. This image shows people protesting to get independence. This shows the amount of support Gandhi was getting in India.

20. My Conclusion • After seeing my historic information I hope I have demonstrated why you should choose my exhibition. I have also given examples of pictures and animations that you may want to use in your display. I have also shown how many counties have got the rights back to their countries and shown how they became independent.