1. Decolonization

2. Causes European imperialist powers were devastated by World War II
Focus was on rebuilding Europe
U.S. and U.S.S.R. were anti-imperialist
Peoples of Asia and Africa asserted their independence

3. Asia Japan’s loss in WWII meant it had to give up Korea and Taiwan
India was partitioned into Hindu and Muslim States in 1947
French returned to Vietnam and fought to retain it until 1954

4. Vietnam-Divided
between a communist
North and a non-
Communist South
in 1954

5. Middle East
Aftermath of Holocaust accelerated demands for a Jewish homeland
UN adopted a resolution in 1947 authorizing the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states
Proclamation of State of Israel in 1948 led to regional war

7. Africa
France fought a long and bloody war to keep N. African colony of Algeria
Sub-Saharan colonies w/large white minorities (Kenya, Rhodesia, etc.) also faced a difficult path to independence
Struggle against apartheid in S. Africa continued until 1990

9. Post-Colonial Challenges
How to form a stable gov’t?
How to create unity from diversity?
How to build a self-sufficient economy?
How to negotiate a position between the superpowers?