1. History 171C The United States and the World 1898-1945

2. The United States, World War II, and Decolonization

3. During World War II, United States became more deeply involved with Third World countries and with colonialism issue, on account of: Geographical scope of war Rise of nationalism in Third World Weakened position of Western European nations

4. Default US position was to be sympathetic to nationalist aspirations of Third World peoples Reasons: Anticolonial tradition Domestic politics Economic benefit Nature of wartime enemies

5. But when Third World nationalism conflicted with war effort, war effort won

6. Two cases: Indochina and Palestine

7. 1940-1945—Japanese occupied Indochina but allowed French colonial officials to run civil affairs Japanese troops entering Saigon, 1941

8. As Japanese defeat grew increasingly likely, debate arose over postwar fate of Indochina

9. Gen. Charles De Gaulle demanded restoration of French colonial control

10. Roosevelt proposed international trusteeship

11. but was vague on particulars and his position weakened over time Roosevelt proposed international trusteeship

12. Since early 1920s Britain had mandate over Palestine

15. During WWI Britain had made conflicting pledges to Zionists (Balfour Declaration, 1917) and Arabs (vague promises of independence) Arthur Balfour Sharif Hussein of Mecca

16. For most of Mandate period, Britain followed generally pro-Zionist policy, but began to have second thoughts in late 1930s, due to intensity of Palestinian and Arab opposition to Zionism Palestinian rebels against British rule, late 1930s

17. 1939—Britain issued White Paper Placed strict limits on numbers of Jews admitted to Palestine each year Regulated land sales in Palestine to Zionist institutions and individuals

18. David Ben-Gurion Zionists bitterly opposed White Paper, which appeared as refugee situation in Europe was growing increasingly dire

19. During war center of gravity of Zionism shifted from Europe to US Biltmore Conference, 1942

20. Republican and Democratic National Conventions, 1944 US political establishment strongly supported creating Jewish state in Palestine; pressured Britain to facilitate its creation