8.5 Decolonization After 1900

Defining Decolonization

Decolonization refers to the process by which colonial empires, especially those of European powers, granted independence to their colonies in the aftermath of World War II. Decolonization was a major historical trend in the mid-20th century and involved political, economic, and social changes as colonized peoples sought to establish their own governments and assert their own identities. 

It was driven by various factors, including anti-colonial movements, nationalist sentiments, and international pressure. It resulted in the emergence of numerous new countries in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, having a significant impact on global politics and economics. However, the process of decolonization was often complex and messy, with some countries experiencing violent struggles for independence while others faced ongoing challenges in achieving true political and economic autonomy.

Where Did Decolonization Movements Happen?

India 🇮🇳

After WWI, when the first sparks of nationalism began to appear in India, Britain promised the colony independence and never followed through. The Indian National Congress, or INC, was the leading political party at the time and pushed hard for independence. It was led by Mohandas or Mahatma Gandhi.

The INC, specifically Gandhi, led non-violent protest movements until India gained independence in 1947 and later partitioned Pakistan. 

India's Decolonization Courtesy of FREEMANPEDIA

British Gold Coast (Ghana) 🇬🇭

This independence movement against Britain (surprise, surprise), was led by Kwame Nkrumah, a leading Ghanaian nationalist who was Western-educated. Ghanaians refused to cooperate with British authorities and boycotted British goods. Eventually, a party pushing for independence was formed (the Convention People’s Party), and Ghana declared independence in 1957, largely peacefully.

Kenya 🇰🇪

After WWII, Kenya began agitating for independence like India and Ghana, but a little more violently. This is exemplified by the Mau Mau movement, which wounded and killed thousands. 

The Mau Mau movement was an anti-colonial uprising in Kenya that lasted from 1952 to 1960. It was primarily made up of members of the Kikuyu ethnic group, who were opposed to British colonial rule and land policies that had resulted in their dispossession. The Mau Mau carried out a campaign of guerrilla warfare against the British colonial authorities, targeting both European settlers and African collaborators. The British government responded with a massive military campaign, involving tens of thousands of soldiers and internment camps for suspected Mau Mau supporters. 

The conflict resulted in significant loss of life, with estimates ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of Kenyans killed, and also had long-lasting social and political consequences. However, it resulted in Kenya becoming a nation in 1963. 

Canada 🇨🇦

Okay, reality check: Canada is still very similar to what it was 100 years ago today. But there was a little blip: the Quebecois separatist movement. Quebecois, or French nationalists, believed Quebec should be independent, or at least significantly different, from Canada. However, they were unsuccessful in separating from Canada.

French Indochina (Vietnam) 🇻🇳

Ho Chi Minh founded the Indochinese Communist Party and brought it to power. He also helped transform the group into a nationalist party. However, Ho Chi Minh stopped at nothing to achieve his goal of Vietnamese independence, which led to violent conflict and civilian casualties.

French West Africa 🇫🇷

French West Africa eventually broke into a plethora of West African nations, such as Senegal and Niger. It was ruled harshly by the French, who ruthlessly exploited the land for its resources. Building nationalism after the World Wars led to protests that resulted in the French passing loi-cadre, which allowed for local governance. By 1960, the region had successfully negotiated independence.

Algeria 🇩🇿

Decolonization in Algeria occurred violently through armed struggle. The National Liberation Front waged a guerilla war against the French and won. International pressure and mounting costs led the French government to seek a negotiated settlement, and in 1962, an agreement was reached granting Algeria independence. However, the war resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Algerians and thousands of French soldiers and colonists. The legacy of the war remains a significant part of Algerian national identity and continues to shape the country's politics and society.

Nigeria 🇳🇬

Nigeria gained independence in 1960, and, similar to Canada, there was a secessionist movement known as the Biafra secessionist movement. 

The Biafra secessionist movement was a political and military campaign led by the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria to establish the independent state of Biafra in 1967. The movement was led by Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who declared the secession of the Eastern Region of Nigeria as the Republic of Biafra. The Nigerian government, under General Yakubu Gowon, rejected the secession and launched a military campaign to retake the region, resulting in a three-year civil war that lasted from 1967 to 1970. The war was marked by significant human suffering, including famine and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. The Biafran forces were eventually defeated, and the region was reintegrated into Nigeria. 

Angola 🇦🇴

Inspired by other African independence movements, Angola declared independence. Yet their rulers at the time, the Portuguese, sent troops to subdue this uprising. A war ensued, but it was cut off by a coup back in Portugal. 

While Angola gained independence, the power gap decolonization created fostered the beginnings of the Angolan Civil War. 

Review Game - Matching

Match each term to its correct category.

CATEGORIES:

• Countries that negotiated independence

• Countries that warred for independence

• Secessionist movements Terms

• Angola

• Biafra

• French West Africa

• Kenya

• Algeria

• Quebecois

• British Gold Coast/Ghana

• India

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