1. Decolonization
The post war reversal of Europe’s overseas expansion caused by the rising demand of the colonized people themselves, the declining power of European nations and the freedoms promised by the US and Soviet ideals
The most basic cause of the imperial collapse was the rising demand of non-Western peoples for national self-determination, racial equality, and personal dignity
The Cold War had an impact on decolonization. Liberation from colonial rule had long been a central goal for the proponents of Communist world revolution.
Soviets, after 1949, the Communist Chinese, advocated rebellion in the developing world and promised to help end colonial exploitation and bring freedom and equality. They supported Communist independence movements with economic and military aid
The US extended economic and military aid to decolonizing nations as well.
After they won independence, the leaders of new nations found themselves trapped between the superpowers, compelled to choose one bloc for another.
Non-alignment- policy of post colonial governments to remain neutral in the Cold War and play both the US and the Soviet Union for what they could get
Neo-Colonialism postcolonial system that perpetuates Western economic exploitation in former colonial territories

2. Africa
Political organizations formed by Africans before the war to gain rights became formal parties with the goal of independence
Kwame Nkrumah Gold Coast (Ghana) Convention People’s Party
Jomo Kenyatta Kenya Africa National Union
Hastings Banda Malawi
Nnamdi Azikiwe Nigeria
Leopold Senghor  Senegal
These independence leaders were western educated, charismatic, and skilled at organizing
Pan-African Movement – “Africa for the Africans”
Decolonization left a lasting legacy of economic decline and political conflict
For the most part the political activities were non violent and were led by Western educated African intellectuals
Little or no bloodshed in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania
The demand for independence not restricted to the cities
Some groups turn to terrorism– Kenya– Mau Mau movement – demanded freedom from the British – eventually by bloodshed

3. Africa Egypt Algeria South Africa Belgian Congo
Egypt British Protectorate since 1880s
1918 party (Wafd) was organized to promote Egyptian independence
Although Egypt gained its formal independence in 1922, it still remained under British control.
Egyptian nationals opposed to Egyptian monarchy in place and in 1952, a coup overthrew King Farouk and set up an independent republic
French were not strong enough to maintain their hold on North Africa
Granted full independence to Morocco and Tunisia in 1956
Since Algeria was home to 2 million French settlers, they tried to hold on to it
Algeria proved to be difficult a guerilla war broke out in 1954 French sent 400,000 troops to protect French settlers and capture the National Liberation Front cells
As war dragged on the French public became very divided so Charles de Gaulle accepted Algerian independence in 1962
Transition in South Africa complicated because European settlers dominated the political system
Formation of the African National Congress in 1912 try to gain full equality for Africans
At the same time in the 1950s South African Whites were strengthening the laws separating whites and blacks, apartheid established
Nelson Mandela arrested in 1962– will eventually become president in 1994
Belgian Congo was a great tragedy
In January 1960, the Belgians finally gave in and announced Congo would be independent, but left it unprepared for independence
US and Western Europe worried it would fall to Soviet influence
CIA helped implement a military coup against leader and set up a US backed dictatorship under a corrupt general  Miobutu ruled until 1997 and Congo will remain one of the poorest and politically torn, violent countries in world

4. Middle East 1948- Israel established Egyptian leader- Nassar
Suez Crisis
Promoted Pan-Arabism
Palestine Liberation Organization created in 1964
Guerilla movement called al-Fatah, led by Yasar Arafat began to grow
Tension will grow
The end of WWII led to independent states in the Middle East Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon
Sympathy for the idea of Arab unity led to the formation of the Arab League in different viewpoints by members prevented it from achieving anything
UN resolution will divide Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state – roughly 900,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes creating a persistent refugee problem
Arab neighbors saw this as a betrayal of the Palestinian people, 90% were Muslim
Refuse to recognize the existence of Israel
Israel had the sympathy of the US and a few Western European countries  adopted a policy of immediate retaliation against hostile acts by the PLO
Six Day War in 1967 – Israel took West Bank territory

5. Asia India -1947 Ceylon (Sri Lanka) -1948 Indonesia (Dutch) -1949
French effort to remain in Indochina led to bloody struggle in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh – Communist, nationalist leader
1954- Vietnam temp. divided in anticipation of elections in 1956– never held
At the end of WWII, British negotiated with the Indian National Congress and the Muslim league
India divided – Hindu and Muslim unwilling to accept a single state
Britain soon realized that India would have to be divided into two countries – one Hindu (India) and one Muslim (Pakistan)
Only Gandhi objected to the division of India – felt would impact on future relations
On August 15, 1947 – India and Pakistan became independent – Gandhi had been right- new borders led to more than a million deaths- Gandhi was assassinated Jan 30, 1948 by a Hindu militant