Harold MacMichael facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Harold MacMichael
GCMG DSO
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| Governor of Tanganyika | |
| In office 19 February 1934 – 8 July 1938 |
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| Preceded by | George Stewart Symes |
| Succeeded by | Mark Aitchison Young |
| High Commissioner of Palestine High Commissioner for Trans-Jordan |
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| In office 3 March 1938 – 30 August 1944 |
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| Preceded by | Arthur Grenfell Wauchope |
| Succeeded by | The Viscount Gort |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 October 1882 Birchover, Derbyshire, United Kingdom |
| Died | 19 September 1969 (aged 86) Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom |
Sir Harold Alfred MacMichael (born October 15, 1882 – died September 19, 1969) was an important British government official. He worked in different parts of the British Empire. One of his most notable roles was serving as the High Commissioner for Palestine.
Early Life and Career
Harold MacMichael went to Bedford School and then to Magdalene College, Cambridge. He was a very good student. After finishing his studies, he joined the Sudan Political Service. This was a group of British officials who helped govern Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.
He worked in the Blue Nile area until 1915. Then he became a senior inspector in the city of Khartoum. By 1926, he had risen to a very important role called civil secretary. From 1933 to 1937, he served as the governor of Tanganyika.
High Commissioner of Palestine
In 1938, Sir Harold MacMichael became the High Commissioner for the British Mandate of Palestine. This was a challenging time in the region. During his time in office, he faced several dangerous situations. There were seven attempts on his life, mainly by a group called Lehi.
In the last attempt, in August 1944, both he and his wife were nearly harmed. This happened just before he was replaced as High Commissioner. He also served briefly as High Commissioner of Malta.
The Malayan Union Plan
After World War II, the British wanted to create a new system in Malaya. This system was called the Malayan Union. It aimed to bring several Malay states under one central British control. Sir Harold MacMichael was given the job of getting the Malay rulers to agree to this plan.
He visited the rulers, starting with Sultan Ibrahim of Johor in October 1945. The Sultan agreed to the plan. MacMichael then visited other Malay rulers. Many of them were not happy about signing the treaties. They worried about losing their power and status.
The British were determined to get the rulers to sign. They suggested that if a ruler refused, there might be an investigation into their actions during the war. This put a lot of pressure on the rulers. They felt they had to sign the agreements. The Sultan of Kedah later said he was given a deadline and told that if he refused, another ruler would be appointed.
The treaties gave the British full control over the Malay states. The only exception was matters related to Islamic customs. Many local people, especially the Malays, strongly protested these treaties. They felt it reduced the importance of their rulers. They also worried about non-Malays being granted citizenship.
The strong opposition to the Malayan Union and how MacMichael handled it led to the rise of Malay nationalism. This was a movement where Malays wanted more control over their own country.
Family Life
Sir Harold MacMichael had two daughters. His daughter, Araminta, married a politician and business leader named Toby Low, 1st Baron Aldington. His other daughter, Priscilla, married James Raynes, who was an officer in the US Navy.
