Define "older generation". Because many of the older generations had even worse memories from PRC and the civil wars. Yes, the British ruled with an iron fist

Define "older generation". Because many of the older generations had even worse memories from PRC and the civil wars. Yes, the British ruled with an iron fist as well, for a large part. But livelihood was generally improving for most (which may or may not [entirely] be due to something that the British did) during the run-up to the handover.