Europe & the World: Decolonization

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

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

Decolonization: India

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

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

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

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

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

Great Britain agreed to a partition of India Great Britain agreed to a partition of India Granted independence to two nations: INDIA & PAKISTAN Granted independence to two nations: INDIA & PAKISTAN During the partition 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 At this point, India became the world’s LARGEST democratic nation First Prime Minister First Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Jawaharlal Nehru Emphasized democracy, unity & modernization Emphasized democracy, unity & modernization

Decolonization: Africa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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