1. The Road Towards Independence
Part 3
The Road Towards Independence

2. Decolonization in Africa and Asia after World War II

3. First Cracks in the Empire
after WWI
Colonized peoples participated in war effort, expected recognition for their sacrifices
Nationalist movements gained ground
Population became pro-independent
Politically more structured
Most active in India, Indochina, North Africa, Syria and Lebanon

4. Favorable Context WWII
1941 – Atlantic Charter written by Roosevelt and Churchill – affirming all nations the right to self determination
By the end of WWII, colonialism seemed to contradict the spirit of the Allies fight against Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy
Over 200,000 Africans had fought in Europe and Asia for the Allies’ freedom and democracy – most noticed the contradiction
Japanese anti-European propaganda during the war
Surge of anti-colonial nationalism after Leaders used lessons in mass politicization and mass mobilization of 1920’s and 1930’s.

5. New International Context
Superpowers (US & USSR) denounced colonialism
The U.N. supported decolonization
In 1960 the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 1514 that supported the end of colonization
1961 Decolonization committee created
1955 Bandung Conference – attended by Third World nations collectively denounced colonization
29 independent countries were present, representing over half the world's population

6. British Decolonization
Progressive and negotiated independence
Only few isolated cases of violence (e.g. Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya)
1931, Britain: Statute of Westminster
converted the British Empire into the British Commonwealth
allowed varying degrees of autonomy

7. Decolonization à la française
Brazzaville Conference (1944) de Gaulle supported policy reform but rejected idea of independence and autonomy
France sought to maintain her Empire, way to regain lost glory after WWII
Though limited, the French colonies were given representation in French parliament in the 4th French Republic in 1947
Despite advantages, most nationalists still sought independence
Violent reaction to Algerian riots in May 1945 and Madagascar in 1947
1958 French position evolved - de Gaulle recognizes necessity of decolonization

8. Colonial Wars Indochina
1946 France entered a war against the nationalists
Became part of the Cold War struggle
U.S. gave financial support to France
USSR and China gave military aid to the Vietminh

9. French Defeat & Withdrawal
May 7, 1954, Battle of Dien Bien Phu
French defeated and pulled out
In July 1954 Geneva Accords recognized independence of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam

10. Nation-Building in Africa
Most of African Independence achieved well after WWII, but the movements themselves began during the inter-war period

11. Decolonization in Africa after World War II

12. Decolonization in Africa after World War II

13. Pan-Africanism
In response to war-time promises made to Africans in exchange for their military service which never materialized
to support the cause of African unity against foreign presence
Marcus Garvey
W.E.B. Dubois
Negritude Literary Movement
In 1945, the 5th Pan African Congress met and discussed the prospect of independence – attending were a number of leaders who would eventually lead their nations to independence

14. Decolonization in Africa
First wave of
French protectorates
in North Africa Negotiated Independence
1956 Morocco and Tunisia independent
Algeria, completely different story
Sub-Saharan Africa
1956 France conceded beginning of autonomy
1958 Referendum (independence or community? )
Colonies gained independence

15. UK in West Africa UK accepted decolonization
West Africans had adopted many elements of western civilization
Early ties allowed more opportunities for education and modernization
Nationalists in West Africa drew from their own history and western influences
Gold Coast (Ghana) independent in 1957
In Eastern Africa where large white minority, Great Britain reluctant to withdraw
Kenya, Mau Mau rebellion put down 1952

16. Incomplete Decolonization: South Africa and Algeria
The presence of sizeable European settler populations complicated the path from colony to nation.
Algeria: 1 million Europeans
French leaders claimed that Algeria was an integral part of metropolitan France.
The colons constituted a minority to the 9 million indigenous Arabs and Berber peoples.
South Africa: 4 million Europeans
Minority white rule (Afrikaners) persisted.

17. Former British colonies in Southern Africa
European minorities impose domination by Whites
1980 black majority rises to power in South Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)

18. Incomplete Decolonization - South Africa
Gained independence from Britain in 1910
White minority dominated political and economic institutions
After winning the elections of 1948, the Afrikaner-dominated National Party in South Africa enacted an extreme form of racial segregation
laws stripped Africans, Indians, and colored persons (mixed descent) of their few political rights.
Schools segregated; country divided into racial “homelands”

19. Educated Africans began organizing movement to gain power
The African National Congress (ANC) opposed legislation and tried to reason with government
After a peaceful African protest turned into a riot, (the Sharpeville massacre of 1960)
the government instituted strict measures to formally separate the races in South Africa through a system known as apartheid
Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison in 1962.

20. The West (U.S.) supported South Africa as a bulwark against the spread of communism in Africa.
Economic boycotts organized against South Africa to put pressure on apartheid regime
1991 apartheid disappeared in South Africa
Nelson Mandela elected leader in 1992

21. Reading Assignment - Homework
The Unfinished Nation by Alan Brinkley
“Chapter 20 The Imperial Republic”, pp
Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe
“Chapter 24 The End of the European Empires”, pp
The World Since 1914 by Joe Scott, “Part 8: The End of Empire” (6 pages) (link to be found on blog)