Britain's Declining Empire: The Road to Decolonisation, 1918-1968

by Ronald Hyam

An authoritative political history of one of the world's most important empires on the road to decolonisation. Ronald Hyam's 2007 book offers a major reassessment of the end of empire which combines a study of British policymaking with case studies on the experience of decolonization across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. He describes the dysfunctional policies of an imperial system coping with postwar, interwar and wartime crises from 1918 to 1945 but the main emphasis is on the period after 1945 and the gradual unravelling of empire as a result of international criticism, and the growing imbalance between Britain's capabilities and its global commitments. He analyses the transfers of power from India in 1947 to Swaziland in 1968, the major crises such as Suez and assesses the role of leading figures from Churchill, Attlee and Eden to Macmillan and Wilson. This is essential reading for scholars and students of empire and decolonisation.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature, Politics

484 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Dr. Ronald Hyam is an Emeritus Fellow, and a former President of Magdalene College. He is Emeritus Reader in British Imperial History in the University of Cambridge and Archivist Emeritus of the College.

Reviews

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting book, albeit read rather quickly by me.

Hyam has fascinating and thought through views on Empire, bringing not only Britain's foreign policy into the discussion, but close analysis of events within each country. This is a comprehensive account of the period specified, and i would recommend it to those studying, or simply interested, in the period.

[Aletheia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Britain’s Declining Empire The Road to Decolonisation 1918-1968 is an extremely well-written and researched book by Ronald Hyam, published in 2007 that serves as a reconsideration and reassessment of the decline of Britain’s empire. Written by a historian with over 60 years of experience on the subject of British empire history and foreign policy, it provides a fascinating survey of British decolonization. Hyam writes in the preface, “you cannot properly understand the dismantling of the British empire unless you know how it was constructed” (p. xi), which this book finds its purpose in.

There are already—and Hyam himself even notes—many books on the British empire’s decline and fall, but this book’s purpose is that there has since been more research done, such as major projects regarding research on India and Burma, so therefore he can “form the foundation for a more authoritative version of British policy than has previously been possible” (p. xii). The target audience are those who have had a decent amount of background on British history, but would like a more in-depth analysis on decolonization, especially the effects of foreign policy on decolonization.

Hyam’s most important main ideas can be somewhat sufficiently summarized into four main points: the growth of nationalism in Britain’s colonies (p. 59-69), economic problems, internal weakness (p. 130-139), international criticism/issues (p. 168-170; p. 221-240; p. 301-326). Growth of nationalism within Britain’s colonies all over the world had sparked subversions, revolutions, and rebellions that fell much like dominos—one after another until eventually Britain was unable to control. When it came to economic issues, Britain had struggled immensely under the high cost of the World Wars—in both men and money. Britain’s economy had fallen, and furthermore, she was forced to take loans from the United States who had grown into a super world power after the World Wars. Hyam, rather convincingly, argues that a large reason for the decolonization of the British empire, although a rather new and uncommon view, was that these international issues and criticisms resulted in an internal weakness within the empire, and that those managing the empire had either been unable to, or lost the will to, maintain the empire.

Moreover, Hyam also analyzes British leaders such as Churchill, Atlee, Wilson, Macmillian, Eden, etc., and their roles in external policy. With the decline of the empire, he argues that Britain still tries to maintain their facade of strength in the face of their European neighbors and rivals. Persuasive and compelling, Hyam’s Britain’s Declining Empire The Road to Decolonisation 1918-1968 presents a new view on the subject already studied on many times, with in-depth research expected from a well-versed scholar of many decades on this subject.

[Chloe Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read the first chapter, liked the thematic focus.

[Benemint · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the intro and Ch.1, but before moving onto Ch.2, I have to declare to the world that this book is awesome. It gives a big picture thematically. I'd definitely assign either intro or Ch.1 in undergrad or graduate classes as a background reading.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good professional history, yet also highly readable and accessible. It's interesting how many histories of empire have a nationalist focus. While that is a useful lens, it's also a limiting one. Nonetheless Hyam has, in my view, done a good job here.

[Megan Mcswain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliantly written. Concise understanding of the strategy and politics of decolonization.