#english_history 

## WWI
At the end of the [[First World War from Britain's perspective|WWI]], the German colonies of Africa were added to Britain's area of control. Its empire was now bigger than ever before.

Though there were already signs that the empire was coming to an end. At the 1919 peace conference [[Woodrow Wilson]]'s disapproval of colonialism resulted in Britain's latest territorial gains being described as "mandated" from the [[League of Nations]]. Britain had to agree to help these territories towards self-government.

## Mid & Late 20th century
The United Nations Charter in **1945** also called for progress towards self-government. It seemed hardly likely in this new mood that the British Empire could last very long.

In India there had been a growing demand for freedom the 1920s and 1930s, partly because of the continued mistrust, caused by the **Indian Mutiny**. But it was also the result of a growing nationalist movement. led by Mahatma Gandhi. In 1947, the British left India, and Palestine. In 1948, Ceylon beame independent.

On the whole, the ending of Britain's empire was a highly successful and mostly peaceful process.
Britain tried to hold onto its international position through its [[Commonwealth of Nations]], which all the old colonies were invited to join as free and equal members.

By 1985 Britain had few of its old colonial possessions left, and those it still had were being claimed by other countires: Hong Kong - China, Falklands - Argentina, Gibraltar - Spain.
In **1982** Britain went to war to take back the [[Falkland War| Falklands after an Argentinian invasion]]. Although the operation was very popular in Britain, upkeeping the islands was expensive.