Black and White: The Racial Problem

Abstract

One of the questions that came to the forefront in the post-war period and caused embarrassment to the West was the racial problem. On this issue too as well as the question of colonialism Britain particularly had to face bitter criticism which threatened to do her and her allies a great deal of harm, especially in view of the rise of the Afro-Asian bloc as an important element in the world balance-of-power. The problem arose for Britain particularly in relation to the Rhodesias, Kenya and Tanganyika, though also to some extent in other colonies, and she was also caused some embarrassment by the Commonwealth connection with the Union of South Africa, where of course the same problem occurred. Since South Africa was a Dominion, government policy towards the Africans in that country no longer remained under United Kingdom control; but Britain was under pressure to declare her attitude towards it. In Southern Rhodesia and Kenya — more so in the former case than the latter — control had also passed over to a large extent to the European settlers, Britain being left merely with some limited powers over the constitution. By 1961 she had virtually placed herself beyond further criticism on this issue by joining with the rest of the Commonwealth in condemning the South African policies and by granting political predominance to the Africans in Kenya and Tanganyika.