Transcript De-Colonization

De-Colonization
1947-1970
 European powers experienced the disintegration of their
colonial empires after World War II.
 Between 1947 and 1962, almost every colonial territory gained
independence.
 New nations of Asia and Africa were deeply influenced by Western
ideas and achievements.
 Causes
 . Modern nationalism and belief in self-determination and racial
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equality, spread from intellectuals to the masses in virtually every
colonial territory after WWI.
Decline of European prestige
Cold War Politics
Japanese victories in Asia over European colonial powers inspired
colonies to rise up against their European colonial masters
Destruction of Europe during WWII made the colonial powers
vulnerable to nationalistic sentiments in Asia and Africa
After 1945, European powers were more concerned about
rebuilding Europe thus their colonies became less of a priority
India played a key role in decolonization and the decline of imperialism.
 Indian National Congress: British had no choice but to develop a native
political elite that could assist in ruling such huge country.
 Exposure of young Indians to Western ideas of nationalism, socialism, and
democracy led to demands for independence by the early 20th century.
 Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948): after WWI he led the independence
movement through the principle of passive resistance (civil disobedience)
 Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) led the Congress party in its push for
independence
 Prime Minister Clement Attlee and others in the Labour party wished to focus on
domestic British affairs.
 Lord Louis Mountbatten: appointed to supervise transition of India to
independence
 India was divided into two nations: India (which was predominantly Hindu) and
Pakistan (predominantly Muslim)
 After Japan was removed after WWII, the French tried to
reassert control of Indochina (including Vietnam, Laos and
Cambodia)
 Ho Chi Minh led the independence movement in the north
 1954, defeated French forces at Dien Bien Phu
 1954, Vietnam was divided into North (communist) and South
(pro-Western); a civil war resulted
 The U.S. was eventually defeated in its attempt to prevent
the communist takeover of South Vietnam
 Vietnam was unified in 1975 and free of western influence
 Arab nationalists were loosely united by opposition to colonialism
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and migration of Jews to Palestine
Balfour Declaration in 1917 indicated Britain favored creation of
Jewish “national home” in Palestine—opposed by Saudi Arabia &
Transjordan
Great Britain announced its withdrawal from Palestine in 1948.
United Nations voted for the creation of two states, one Arab and
one Jewish
Palestinians vowed to fight on until Israel was destroyed or until
they established own independent Palestinian state
 Led to several wars and numerous conflicts in late 20th
century
 1948,1954,1967,1974 (last major war), intafada and terrorism since
Egypt
 Arab defeat in 1948 by Israel triggered a successful
nationalist revolution in Egypt in 1952 that effectively
ended British control of Egypt
 1956, Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser
nationalized the Suez Canal, the last symbol and substance
of Western power in the Middle East.
 France, Britain and Israel attacked Egypt, trying to take
back control of Suez Canal
 U.S. and Soviet Union demanded their withdrawal and the
canal remained in Egypt's control
 Algeria’s large French population considered Algeria an integral part
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of France and did not want the colony to become independent.
A bitter war broke out between France and Algerian nationalists.
Civil war breaks out in 1954 between Algerian nationalists led by the
National Liberation Front and the French – the war divides French
opinion and does not end until 1962
Under General Charles de Gaulle, France eventually grants Algeria
independence in 1962
Charles de Gaulle, who had returned to power as part of movement
to keep Algeria French, accepted principle of Algerian selfdetermination.
1962, after more than a century of French rule, Algeria became
independent and the European population quickly fled.
Crisis led to the all of the French Fourth Republic and beginning of
the Fifth Republic
 Decolonization proceeded much more smoothly than in
northern Africa
 British Commonwealth of Nations: Beginning in 1957,
Britain’s colonies achieved independence with little or no
bloodshed; entered a very loose association with Britain.
 Exception: Mau Mau society were a Kenyan group of
terrorists/freedom fighters who fought to end English
control of Kenya
 The British, noticing the costs of maintaining an empire
and wanting to avoid conflict, start withdrawing from
their colonies
 1948 – Burma and Sri Lanka become independent / British
withdraw from Palestine
 1957 – Ghana becomes independent
 1960 – Nigeria becomes independent
 British withdraw from Cyprus, Kenya, and Aden under
pressure from militant movements
 Withdrawal has led to poverty and instability in
Africa, but stability and economic growth in Asia
 1958, De Gaulle offered leaders of French black
Africa a choice of total break with France or
immediate independence within a kind of French
commonwealth.
 All but one of new states chose association with France.
 Cultural imperialism continued
 France and Common Market partners saw themselves as
continuing their civilizing mission in black Africa.
 Desired markets for industrial goods, raw materials,
outlets for profitable investment, and good temporary
jobs for their engineers and teachers.
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 The Battle of Algiers:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca3M2feqJk8
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXo5pO5iGrA