Module description
The modules offered in each academic year are subject to change in line with staff availability and student demand: there is no guarantee every module will run. Module descriptions and information may vary between years.
The idea of 'Decolonisation' emerged in the interwar period. In its original meaning, particularly after 1945, it described the break up of European empires, and the emergence of sovereign nation states in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. But since the 1980s we have begun to put together a more complex portrait of the ends of empire. Driven not only by the continued opening up of records relating to the post-war period, but also by new historical approaches and controversies, the historiography of the 'end' of empire has been one of the most rapidly-developing and exciting aspects of the literature on the history of British imperialism. Much of the new work has offered fresh interpretations of developments in former colonies, including the interaction between local and global change, anticolonialism, and insurgency and counter-insurgency. Recent research also explores the extent to which 'decolonisation' was a multiphasic process, entailing far more than 'flag independence'. In line with these newer understandings of decolonisation as a social, cultural and economic as well as political and constitutional process, historians have also broadened the geographical scope of their analyses to incorporate study of changing cultures of Britishness in a 'British world' centred on Britain and the 'old' Commonwealth countries of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. A significant body of recent work also addresses questions of decolonisation in Britain itself.
This course introduces you to these debates. The first part of the course puts British decolonisation into a global perspective, and provides an introduction to 'why' and 'how' after the second world war Britain came to experience such a dramatic transformation in its world role, examining debates surrounding the relative importance of international relations, domestic politics and economy, and anticolonialism in bringing about Britain's post-war retreat from empire. The course then proceeds to focus on several country case studies that together illustrate the diverse nature of British decolonisation and the very different processes --from negotiation to armed revolt -- by which former colonies attained their independence from Britain. The final part of the course explores the newly-emerging literature on changing cultures of Britishness in the 'British world' and the cultural, social, economic and political consequences of decolonisation in Britain itself. Students will be encouraged throughout to make comparisons between British decolonisation and the experience of other European empires.
Assessment details
1 x 3,500 words essay (100%)
Educational aims & objectives
This module aims to introduce students to the rich historiography of the end of the British empire and to facilitat e the acquisition of knowledge of the processes in Britain and overseas leading to the loss of empire and also of its domestic consequences. In particular it seeks to assist students towards a critical evaluation of: I. concepts and methodology employed by historians of the 'end of empire' I 'decolonization'; 2. various processes in Britain and overseas resulting in the 'end of empire'; 3. the political, social, cultural and economic consequences of the end of empire for Britain. It also seeks to equip students with the foundations for further research in the field at PhD level. In addition, the module seeks to develop the following generic skills: I. critical analysis of historical debate; 2. appreciation of the complexity of historical processes; 3. sophisticated understanding ofthe role of language and concepts in historical processes; 4. appreciation of the interconnection between apparently unrelated historical developments; 5. appreciation of the impact of different methodologies and ideological positions on the writing of history; 6. ability to formulate and present a coherent argument with appropriate use of evidence; 7. effective critical writing; 8. effective participation in oral discussion.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, the students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a Level 7 module and in particular will be able to demonstrate: 1) a sophisticated understanding of the complex British, colonial and international dynamics which brought about the end of empire, and their interactions; 2) an understanding of interactions between the transfers of power and underlying shifts in Britain's international role; 3) that they can show appreciation of the various problematics raised by concepts of 'end of empire' 4) an understanding of the relationship between the end of empire and post - war developments in British society, economics, culture and politics. 5) that they can formulate sophisticated written and oral responses to the issues, themes, concepts and debates highlighted by the module.
Teaching pattern
10 x 2-hour weekly seminars
Suggested reading list
Suggested introductory reading
This is suggested reading and purchase of these texts is not mandatory
John Darwin, The Empire Project: The Rise and Fall of the British World System (Cambridge: CUP, 2009)
Ronald Hyam, Britain’s Declining Empire: The Road to Decolonisation, 1918-1968 (Cambridge: CUP, 2006).
Spencer Mawby, The Transformation and Decline of the British Empire (Palgrave 2015)