9.9 - Decolonization

Decolonization After World War II

Overview of European Imperialism:

• European Empire building has been a major theme throughout European history, with nearly every European state at some point expanding its influence by claiming territories around the world.

• However, after World War II, this centuries-long project of European empire-building began to unravel, leading to a process known as decolonization.

Beginnings of Decolonization:

• The seeds of decolonization were sown after World War I, largely due to the influence of American President Woodrow Wilson.

• Wilson championed the principle of self-determination during the peace process at the Treaty of Versailles, advocating that all peoples should have the right to determine their own political structures and choose their own governments without interference from European imperial powers.

Impact of World War I on Colonies:

• The idea of self-determination resonated strongly with colonized peoples around the world, including those in India, Algeria, and South Africa.

• Additionally, many European empires had called upon colonial soldiers to fight in World War I, which further fueled calls for independence among these colonized populations.

• Despite the growing demand for independence, European imperial powers were initially reluctant to relinquish their colonies.

World War II and the Acceleration of Decolonization:

• World War II once again saw colonial soldiers fighting for their imperial rulers.

• However, the war left major European imperial powers weakened, both economically and militarily, making it increasingly difficult for them to suppress the rising demands for independence.

• As a result, the process of decolonization accelerated after World War II, with European empires gradually losing their colonies over the span of several decades.

Key Points of Decolonization:

• Decolonization was not a swift process but occurred gradually, with different colonies gaining independence at different times.

• The process was driven by a combination of factors, including the weakening of European powers, the influence of nationalist movements within the colonies, and the changing global political landscape.

The Scramble for Africa and Decolonization

The Scramble for Africa:

• During the 19th century, European powers aggressively expanded their empires in Africa in what became known as the Scramble for Africa.

• This period of imperialism saw European nations carving up the African continent without regard for indigenous peoples, treating Africa as a collection of territories to be claimed and controlled.

Decolonization in Africa:

• After World War II, indigenous nationalist movements emerged across Africa, demanding independence from European colonial powers.

• Algeria (French Colony):

  • Algeria was a significant case where decolonization did not occur easily.

  • France had already recognized the independence of Morocco and Tunisia, but Algeria presented a more complex situation due to the presence of nearly a million French settlers.

  • In the 1950s, a nationalist Muslim group called the National Liberation Front (FLN) began rebelling against French rule.

  • France responded by sending troops to crush the rebellion, leading to a bloody eight-year civil war.

  • The conflict ended with Charles de Gaulle, who became French president in 1958, recognizing Algeria’s right to self-determination and officially granting independence.

• Egypt (British Colony):

  • Egypt technically gained independence from Britain in 1922 after World War I, but British influence remained strong.

  • A nationalist political party called the Wafd formed in Egypt, campaigning for full independence.

  • In 1952, the Egyptian army led a coup to overthrow the monarchy and fully rid Egypt of British control.

Decolonization in Asia:

• India (British Colony):

  • By the 1920s, Mohandas Gandhi led the Indian National Congress in the movement for Indian independence from Britain, advocating non-violent civil disobedience.

  • Exhausted and financially strained from World War II, Britain recognized that it could no longer maintain control over India.

  • In 1947, India gained independence through negotiations with Britain.

  • India chose to remain neutral in the Cold War, leading the way for the Non-Aligned Movement, which other newly independent nations also adopted.

• Indonesia (Dutch Colony):

  • Indonesia gained independence from the Netherlands in 1949.

  • The Soviet Union and communist China made significant inroads in Indonesia, with President Sukarno, a socialist, accepting their support.

  • However, a nationalist movement composed mainly of the military and conservative Muslims overthrew Sukarno in 1965, aligning the new government with the West.

• Vietnam (French Colony):

  • In the 1950s, Vietnamese nationalist leader Ho Chi Minh organized a resistance group called the Viet Minh to fight for independence from France.

  • The Viet Minh won a decisive battle against the French in 1954, leading to the division of Vietnam into North and South, with plans for future elections.

  • The North, influenced by Communist sympathies, and the South, loyal to Western powers, became the battleground for a proxy war between the Soviet Union and the United States.

  • Vietnam ultimately gained full independence in 1975.