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Decolonisation and the Commonwealth

Study note

After the Second World War the British Empire steadily came to an end as many former colonies gained self-government, a process called decolonisation. A key year is 1947, when independence was granted to nine countries, including India, Pakistan and Ceylon. Ceylon is now known as Sri Lanka, so a question linking the two should be answered true.

Over the following twenty years or so, other colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific also became independent. Many of these newly independent countries joined the Commonwealth, so the country moved from Empire to Commonwealth. Prime Minister Harold Macmillan became famous for his wind of change speech about this shift, so connect Macmillan with the phrase wind of change.

Memory tip: 1947 India, Pakistan and Ceylon independent; Macmillan's 'wind of change' speech.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 4

In which year were India, Pakistan and Ceylon granted independence?

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Show all questions and answers for Decolonisation and the Commonwealth(4 questions with explanations)

Decolonisation and the Commonwealth: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. In which year were India, Pakistan and Ceylon granted independence?

    • 1956
    • 1948
    • 1939
    • 1947

    Correct answer: 1947

    In 1947, independence was granted to nine countries, including India, Pakistan and Ceylon.

  2. 2. Which Prime Minister was famous for his 'wind of change' speech about decolonisation?

    • Clement Attlee
    • Winston Churchill
    • Harold Macmillan
    • Margaret Thatcher

    Correct answer: Harold Macmillan

    Harold Macmillan was famous for his 'wind of change' speech.

  3. 3. Ceylon, which gained independence in 1947, is now known as Sri Lanka.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Ceylon is now called Sri Lanka.

  4. 4. Which of these statements is correct?

    • India and Pakistan gained independence in 1947
    • India and Pakistan gained independence in 1837

    Correct answer: India and Pakistan gained independence in 1947

    India and Pakistan gained independence in 1947.

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