Transcript Document
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
– – –
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