- Economic impact of Second World War.
- Changing international situation with rise of Soviet Union and United States emerging as new world powers.
- The emergence of powerful nationalist movements in the colonies which aimed to secure independence from European empires.
- Changing priorities in Europe with countries by the 1950s experiencing a dramatic post-war recovery and emergence of European Economic Community in 1957, which Britain joined in 1973. As a result, support for Empire dwindled.
Specific problems in colonies such as India and Burma.