"Wind of Change" - Britain and decolonization 1950-1960

British Politicians originally wanted to manage the transition from Empire to Commonwealth slowly and gradually so that countries learned to govern themselves without help from Britain. However, decolonization was sped up for a number of reasons:

• Growth of independence movements in colonies
• Britain could not send the army to put down rebellions because of economic decline - two world wars had taken its toll so Britain was relying heavily on the US for money. 
• This meant that Britain no longer had military or financial strength to dominate other countries. 
• This links to more people rebelling in the colonies because Britain was now seen as weak, especially after the Suez Crisis. 
• Investing money in colonies meant that less money was being spent at home. 
• The USSR and China had began to offer assistance to the colonies - Britain did not want to begin a fight against Russia and China to keep the colonies. 
• Communism influence. 
• British Immigration restrictions (1962)
• Change in political focus - Attlee's government was more focused on homes and society rather than foreign investments. 
• Giving colonies independence meant that goodwill between them and Britain remained.