How did British colonies gain independance without revolution?

Answer 1

We granted them independence as a reward for helping us during 2 world wars. Obviously the government felt the people had become civilised enough and responsible enough to rule themselves.

Answer 2

Embarrassment.

Paying for foreign bureaucracies was draining money from Britain, specially if the colonies didn't have enough resources that Britain wanted. It got even more expensive if the local people kept resisting. Fighting an occupying force doesn't necessarily count as revolution, specially if the status quo stays the same afterwards. Apart from wars of independence, in the 20th century it was just not politically correct to have colonies, so Britain changed their name to 'commonwealth countries' and gradually granted more independence. This was partly as a response to their help in the wars, partly as a way to save money, and partly as a response to increasing criticism from British people who didn't want to be associated with foreign domination.

Answer 3

There wasn't revolution but there was unrest of sorts. That, however, did not free the colonies. After World War II, Britain was considerably weakened as a power, and was no longer able to maintain as firm a grip on her colonies. Also, the mood in Britain had changed slightly. Fewer people were interested in building empire. I think there was a growing philanthropic movement too.

Answer 4

A part of a process of political evolution. As the so-called colonies of settlement (Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc.) matured as societies they took more and more responsibility for their own affairs. This suited Britain which was less and less interested in having to bear responsibility for the colonies, not interested at all in getting into wars to defend them and had an economy which did not require formal colonial control of overseas territories. The Statute of Westminster in 1931 was the formal acknowledgement by Britain that the various Dominions, as they were sometimes called, were countries within the Empire in no way subordinate to Britain itself.

Answer 5

In the case of India, passive resistance.