Europe & the World: Decolonization

What is Decolonization? • • • •

Decolonization: Becoming free (from colonial rule) Between WWI & WWII, several movements began throughout Africa and Asia Empires were reluctant to let go of their colonies; however, their colonial domination seemed at odds with Allied goals during WWII

What is Decolonization? • • •

Between 1947 and 1962, virtually every colony achieved independence and statehood BITTER & DIFFICULT process Ended the era of western domination

Decolonization: India

Decolonization: India • • • • • •

World War I India provided troops to the British army Promised Indian self-rule in return World War II Ends Self-rule was NOT GRANTED As a result, nationalism & demands for independence increased

Decolonization: India • • • •

1920s Mohandas Gandhi emerged as a leader of the independence movement Urged Indians to use non-violent tactics in order to achieve their goals Civil disobedience, peaceful protest, etc.

Decolonization: India • • •

1935 Great Britain granted India limited self-rule, but not total independence Self-rule created tensions between the Hindu majority & the Muslim minority

Decolonization: India • • • •

World War II Britain committed Indian troops to the war effort Did not seek permission from India’s self-governing assembly Led to an increasing number of protests and renewed calls for independence

Decolonization: India • • • • •

World War II Ends Great Britain weak, in debt & ready to grant India its freedom Problem? Violence between Hindus and Muslims made granting independence difficult Possible solution?

Decolonization: India • • • •

1947 Great Britain agreed to a partition of India Granted independence to two nations: INDIA & PAKISTAN During the partition

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10 million people relocated Widespread violence (1 million dead) Gandhi was assassinated in 1949

Decolonization: India • • • •

At this point, India became the world’s LARGEST democratic nation First Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Emphasized democracy, unity & modernization

Decolonization: Africa

Decolonization: West Africa • • • • •

World War II Ends Colonial rule in Africa would have to end Unfortunately, little had been done to prepare the colonies for self-rule 1950s & 1960s African colonies experienced decolonization and gained independence

Decolonization: West Africa • •

After World War II, Great Britain allowed Africans on the Gold Coast to participate in local self government DID NOT grant independence

Decolonization: Africa • • •

1947 Kwame Nkrumah used Gandhi’s non-violent strategies to pressure Great Britain for independence Nkrumah supported Pan Africanism & hoped to create a “United States of Africa”

Decolonization: Africa • • • • •

1957 After a decade of struggle, GB finally granted the Gold Coast independence The nation was renamed Ghana Kwame Nkrumah was elected president for life… Problems?

Decolonization: South Africa • • • • • •

Unlike Ghana, demands for independence in South Africa were led by white colonists 1931 South Africa gained independence White Afrikaners gained power & created a policy of apartheid Apartheid Laws that created strict racial segregation between blacks and whites

• • • • • • Decolonization: South Africa

Black South Africans protested apartheid and violent riots often broke out Anti-Apartheid Leader Nelson Mandela 1964 Mandela arrested Given a life sentence for opposing apartheid laws

Decolonization: South Africa • • • • •

1990 New South African President F.W. de Clerk released Mandela The South African parliament repealed all apartheid laws & announced the first multiracial election 1994 Nelson Mandela won the election and became South Africa’s first black president