The Road Towards Independence Part 3 The Road Towards Independence

Decolonization in Africa and Asia after World War II

First Cracks in the Empire 1920-1930 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

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 1945. Leaders used lessons in mass politicization and mass mobilization of 1920’s and 1930’s.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Decolonization in Africa after World War II

Decolonization in Africa after World War II

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

Decolonization in Africa First wave of 1950-1960 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? ) 1959-1960 Colonies gained independence

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

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.

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

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”

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.

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

Reading Assignment - Homework The Unfinished Nation by Alan Brinkley “Chapter 20 The Imperial Republic”, pp 534-554 Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe “Chapter 24 The End of the European Empires”, pp. 509-541 The World Since 1914 by Joe Scott, “Part 8: The End of Empire” (6 pages) (link to be found on blog)