CWB - European Colonies Gain Independence (Lesson)

European Colonies Gain Independence.

De-Colonization after WWII.

  • Postwar-era saw total collapse of colonial empires
  • Between 1947 and 1962, almost every colonial territory gained independence
  • New nations of Asia and Africa deeply influenced by Western ideas and achievements

Causes:

  • Modern nationalism and belief in self-determination and racial equality, spread from intellectuals to the masses in virtually every colonial territory after WWI
  • Decline of European prestige: Japanese victories; destruction of Europe during WWII
  • After 1945, European powers more concerned about rebuilding; let colonies go

Photograph of Mahatma GandhiIndia played a key role in decolonization and the end of empire.

  • 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: after WWI, led independence movement with principle of passive resistance (civil disobedience)
  • Jawaharlal Nehru led Congress party in its push for independence
  • Clement Attlee and others in Labour party back in Britain wished to focus on internal affairs
  • Lord Louis Mountbatten was appointed to supervise transition of India to independence
  • Divided India into two nations: India (Hindu) and Pakistan (Muslim)

 

Vietnam.

  •  Once the Japanese were removed from power after WWII, the French tried to reassert control of Indochina
  •  Ho Chi Minh led the independence movement in the north
  •  1954, they defeated French forces at Dien Bien Phu
  •  1954, Vietnam was divided into North (communist) and South (pro-Western); civil war resulted
  •  U.S. was defeated in attempt to prevent communist takeover of South Vietnam; Vietnam unified in 1975

 

Arab Nationalism.

Arab nationalists loosely united by opposition to colonialism and migration of Jews to Palestine

Israel and Palestine

  • Balfour Declaration in 1917 indicated Britain favored creation of a Jewish "national home" in Palestine— was opposed by Saudi Arabia & Transjordan
  • Great Britain announced its withdrawal from Palestine in 1948.
  • United Nations voted for creation of two states, one Arab and one Jewish
  • Palestinians vowed to fight on until state of Israel destroyed or until they established their own independent Palestinian state; led to several wars and numerous conflicts in late 20th century

Egypt.

  • Arab defeat in 1948 by Israel triggered nationalist revolution in Egypt in 1952
  • 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 Western withdrawal and the canal remained in Egypt's control

Photograph - Barricades in AlgeriaAlgerian Crisis (mid 1950s.)

  • Algeria's large French population considered Algeria an integral part of France
  • This feeling led to ensuing war; bitter and atypical of decolonization
  • General De Gaulle, who had returned to power as part of movement to keep Algeria French, accepted the principle of Algerian self-determination
  • 1962, after more than a century of French rule, Algeria became independent and the European population quickly fled
  • Crisis led to fall of the Fourth Republic and beginning of the Fifth Republic in France

Image: Barricades in Algeria.

 

Sub-Saharan Africa.

  • 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: Mao Mao society were a Kenyan group of terrorists/freedom fighters who fought to end English control of Kenya.
  • 1958, De Gaulle offered leaders of French black Africa choice of total break with France or immediate independence within a kind of French commonwealth. All but one of the 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 untapped markets for industrial goods, raw materials, outlets for profitable investment, and good temporary jobs for their engineers and teachers

 

 

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