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Kenya gained its independence from the UK in 1963.

Britain: Kenyan Independence - How Britain Dealt With The Issue

This GCSE History quiz looks at how Britain managed Kenyan independence, from rebellion and emergency rule to negotiations, constitutional change and final membership of the Commonwealth.

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Fascinating Fact:

In 1963 Britain granted Kenya independence within the Commonwealth. Britain aimed to protect its economic and strategic interests while ending direct colonial rule.

In GCSE History, this topic examines how Britain dealt with growing nationalist pressure in Kenya. You study the impact of the Mau Mau uprising, the State of Emergency, constitutional conferences in London, and the final transfer of power to a Kenyan government while Britain tried to safeguard its long term interests in East Africa.

Key Terms

Mau Mau uprising: A violent nationalist rebellion in the 1950s, mainly among the Kikuyu, against British colonial rule and loyalist Africans in Kenya.
State of Emergency: Special powers declared by the colonial government, allowing arrests, detention, censorship and military action to suppress unrest.
Constitutional conference: A formal meeting between British officials and Kenyan leaders in London to agree new constitutions and the terms of independence.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How did Britain deal with Kenyan independence in the 1950s and 1960s?

Britain first tried to keep control through repression and emergency powers, then gradually moved towards negotiation and constitutional reform, finally agreeing to transfer power and recognise an independent Kenya within the Commonwealth in 1963.

Why was the Mau Mau uprising important for Kenyan independence?

The Mau Mau uprising exposed the depth of Kenyan resentment about land, rights and colonial rule. It convinced many British politicians that long term control was unrealistic and that a managed move towards independence was necessary.

What should I revise about Britain and Kenyan independence for GCSE History?

Revise causes of Kenyan nationalism, the Mau Mau uprising, the State of Emergency, key nationalist leaders, the Lancaster House style talks, and why Britain agreed to independence while trying to protect its interests.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

30,000 white settlers were concentrated in an upland area north west of Kenya's capital, Nairobi. What name was given to this area of fertile farmland?

The Aberdares

Happy Valley

The White Highlands

The Rift Valley

Large and successful farms were set up: some arable and some dedicated to raising cattle. Unfortunately for the security of white settlers many local African tribespeople regarded this land as theirs

2 .

Which tribe felt particularly strongly that they had a right to white settler land in this region?

Luo

Kalenjin

Kikuyu

Meru

The land issue became a serious bone of contention by the 1950's

3 .

Which African figure was regarded by the British as the chief culprit in stirring up unrest over the land question?

Tom Mboya

Jomo Kenyatta

Oginga Odinga

Daniel Arap Moi

The authorities were anxious to arrest a principal figure in the hope that unrest would then die down

4 .

What name was given to the African movement which gripped the white-settled area of the colony between 1952 and 1956?

Mau Mau

The African National Congress

Freedom Fighters' League

The Kenyan Land League

The emergency lasted for four years, and many thousands of African suspects were arrested. Some were tortured, even mutilated

5 .

Some whites favoured compromise with African nationalist demands. One such group was led by Sir Michael Blundell. What was his party's name?

Kenya's Future

Kenya Forward

The New Kenya Group

Kenya Coalition

Most white settlers opposed concessions to the African majority, but Blundell believed that compromise was possible

6 .

A powerful African party emerged in Kenya after the constitutional conference in London in 1960. This party eventually took power in Kenya on the eve of independence. What was it called?

The Kenya African People's Union

The Kenya African National Union

The Kenyan People's Union

The Kenyan African Independence Union

After 1960 Kenyan independence under African rule seemed inevitable

7 .

There was however an opposition group - an alternative African nationalist party, deriving its support from a different combination of tribal groups. What was it called?

The Kenya African Democratic Union

The Kenya Democratic Union

The Kenya People's Democratic Union

The Kenya National Liberation Front

After independence this party was soon sidelined

8 .

Which Kenyan trade union leader, and author of "Facing Mount Kenya", was assassinated in 1969?

Ernest Mwatele

Silas Watube

Tom Mboya

Williams Matai

Kenyan politics was robust - reinforced by strong tribal divisions

9 .

When did Kenya receive its independence as a member of the Commonwealth?

December 1962

December 1961

December 1963

December 1964

Initially Kenya remained a monarchy with the British monarch as Head of State

10 .

Eventually Kenya became a republic, recognising Britain's Queen only as Head of the Commonwealth, of which Kenya continued to be a member. In which year did this happen?

1963

1965

1964

1966

Kenya remained a close ally of Britain's

Author: Edward Towne