Decolonization After World War II

Decolonization between World War I and World War II (Review) Millions of colonials fight in WW I in exchange for promise of independence. Promises reneged. Colonies administered by locals and Europeans return home because of war. Saw Europeans as vulnerable. Anger in Middle East over mandate system 1931, Canada recognized as sovereign by U.K.

U.S. POV on Decolonization U.S. favored a policy of self-determination for colonies The Philippines: 1st colony freed after WW II. BUT, the US kept large military bases - effect of the Cold War, these bases helped to keep pro-U.S. forces in power. The Peace Corps and Alliance for Progress were created to influence developing nations to be pro-western. The U.S. propped up authoritarian governments that are pro-western: Batista in Cuba, juntas in Central America, Chile. U.S .viewed domination of Eastern Europe as Soviet colonization. Somoza Pinochet Batista

U.S. P.O.V. Notice France!

U.S.S.R’s POV on Decolonization Most Soviet leaders expressed the Marxist-Leninist view that imperialism was the height of capitalism, and generated a class-stratified society USSR opposed economic imperialism in places like Cuba and Nicaragua. USSR condemned seizure of Suez Canal so is seen as defender of Arab nationalism. USSR saw its control of eastern Europe as a buffer against Western expansion. USSR did not have the financial resources to compete with the U.S. everywhere, so they focussed on Africa and the Middle East. USSR supported totalitarian states like Syria because they were anti-western.

Russian POV

Massacre independence India and Pakistan The British had a model for non-violent transfer of power to their colonies that worked for them (Canada). Although free, their colonies retained ties to Britain (Commonwealth). 1919 Amritsar Massacre 1919 Rowlatt Acts restricted Indian Rights India Act 1937 allowed legislature Muslim League and Jinnah proposed two states Congress Party of Nehru and Gandhi urged unity 1947-Partition and violence (relocation of millions)

Arab States, Palestine and Israel From Mandates to independence, Arab states gained their independence relatively violence-free. Palestine and Israel Letter to Hussein 1915 Balfour Declaration of 1917 Zionism and Arab Nationalism Limited Jewish migration, mostly Europeans Conflict over land UN wants to create two states, U.S. and USSR agree 1947, civil war, Britain withdraws from area 1948 Israel proclaimed, defeats Arab armies 1949 UN truce holds, many Arab refugees move to West Bank and other “Palestinian” areas controlled by UN

As soon as Israel was created, it was attacked from all sides

Click here for Video South East Asia Unlike Britain, France and the Dutch were determined to hold many of their colonies after WW II. 1945 Vietnamese Declaration of Independence (modeled on the U.S.’s) France returned, fought from 1945-54, defeated at Dien Bien Phu. Geneva Peace Talks divided Vietnam-US aided the South but withdrew in 1973. Vietnam War (civil war) ended in re-unification in 1975. 1945-49 Indonesia fought Dutch for independence and eventually won.

North Africa France was determined to hold many of her colonies after WW II. Algeria -“settler colony” with 2 million French. 1945 French at Setíf fired into a crowd after Arabs killed 104 pieds-noirs (“Black Feet”) 8,000 die in the riots that follow National Liberation Front (FLN) begins guerilla war. War of Independence. 1954 –1962 1962 Algeria Independent after massive loss of life. Justifies Frantz Fanon’s ideology of violent revolution against colonial oppressors.

EGYPT: Egyptians angered when not allowed to attend Paris Peace Conference in 1918. British withdrew but reserved right to return, Monarchy and Wafd Party overthrown by Nasser Caused “Suez Crisis” successful for Egypt Land reform (70% of land had been owned by 6% of population.)

Black Africa “Negritude” or “Blackness” was celebrated. Video “Negritude” or “Blackness” was celebrated. Old traditions and culture were revived. Sub-Saharan states slowly won independence, some peacefully some violently. It depended on the number of European settlers. Ghana was first. Nkrumah - peaceful

Kenya’s independence violent -Mau Mau Uprising. Racism: “Why the hell can’t we fight these apes and worry about the survivors later?” – British soldier British called rebels “communists” to enlist U.S. support. Made concentration camps. 1963 Kenya negotiated independence. O.A.U. created in 1963 to attempt to solve problems in Africa.

Belgian Congo (1960) There were no African army officers, only three African managers in the entire civil service, and only 30 university graduates. Western investments in mineral resources (copper, gold, tin, cobalt, diamonds, manganese, zinc) were colossal-the West was determined to keep control over the country beyond independence. Patrice Lumumba  becomes president after 120 political parties vied for power - called a "mad dog” by CIA – assassinated Opposition seized power with American backing in a bloodless coup- power passes to Mobuto Sese Seko (Refer to Stearns Reprint)