1. Decolonization After World War II

2. Decolonization between World War I and World War II (Review)
Millions of colonials fight in WW I in exchange for promise of independence. Promises reneged.
Colonies administered by locals and Europeans return home because of war.
Saw Europeans as vulnerable.
Anger in Middle East over mandate system.

3. U.S. POV on Decolonization
U.S. favors a policy of self-determination for colonies
The Philippines: 1st colony freed after WW II. BUT, the US keeps large military bases - effect of the Cold War, these bases help to keep pro-U.S. forces in power.
The Peace Corps and Alliance for Progress are created to influence developing nations to be pro-western.
The U.S. props up authoritarian governments that are pro-western: Batista in Cuba, juntas in Central America, Chile.
U.S .views domination of Eastern Europe as Soviet colonization.
Somoza
Pinochet
Batista

4. U.S. P.O.V.
Notice France!

5. U.S.S.R’s POV on Decolonization
Most Soviet leaders expressed the Marxist-Leninist view that imperialism was the height of capitalism, and generated a class-stratified society
USSR opposes economic imperialism in places like Cuba and Nicaragua.
USSR condemns seizure of Suez Canal so is seen as defender of Arab nationalism.
USSR sees its control of eastern Europe as a buffer against Western expansion.
USSR does not have the financial resources to compete with the U.S. everywhere, so they focus on Africa and the Middle East.
USSR supports totalitarian states like Syria because they are anti-western.

6. Russian POV

7. Click here for Video
India and Pakistan
The British had a model for non-violent transfer of power to their colonies that worked for them (Canada). Although free, their colonies retained ties to Britain (Commonwealth).
1919 Amritsar Massacre
1919 Rowlatt Acts restricts Indian Rights
India Act 1937 allowed legislature
Muslim League and Jinnah proposed two states
Congress Party of Nehru and Gandhi urge unity
Partition and violence (relocation of millions)
independence
Massacre

9. Arab States, Palestine and Israel
From Mandates to independence, Arab states gained their independence relatively violence-free.
Palestine and Israel
Letter to Hussein 1915
Balfour Declaration of 1917
Zionism and Arab Nationalism
Limited Jewish migration, mostly Europeans
Conflict over land
UN wants to create two states, U.S. and USSR agree
1947, civil war, Britain withdraws from area
1948 Israel proclaimed, defeats Arab armies
1949 UN truce holds, many Arab refugees move to West Bank and other “Palestinian” areas controlled by UN

10. As soon as Israel
was created, it was
attacked from all sides

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South East Asia
Unlike Britain, France and the Dutch are determined to hold many of their colonies after WW II.
1945 Vietnamese Declaration of Independence (modeled on the U.S.’s)
France returns, fights from , defeated at Dien Bien Phu.
Geneva Peace Talks divides Vietnam, US aides the South but withdraws in 1973.
Vietnam War (civil war) ends in re-unification in 1975.
Dutch fight Indonesia independence and lose.

12. North Africa
France is determined to hold many of her colonies after WW II.
Algeria -“settler colony” with 2 million French.
1945 French at Setíf fire into a crowd after Arabs killed 104 pieds-noirs (“Black Feet”)
8,000 die in the riots that follow
National Liberation Front (FLN) begins guerilla war.
War of Independence –1962
1962 Algeria Independent after massive loss of life.
Migrations back to France.

13. EGYPT: Egyptians angered when not allowed to attend Paris Peace Conference in 1918.
British withdraw but reserve right to return,
Monarchy and Wafd Party overthrown by Nasser (1952
Caused “Suez Crisis” & was successful
land reform (70% of land had been owned by 6% of population.)

14. Black Africa “Negritude” or “Blackness” is celebrated.
Video
“Negritude” or “Blackness” is celebrated.
Old traditions and culture are revived.
Sub-Saharan states slowly win independence, some peacefully some violently. It depended on the number of European settlers.
Ghana is first. Nkrumah leads - peaceful

15. Kenya’s independence violent -Mau Mau Uprising.
Racism: “Why the hell can’t we fight these apes and worry about the survivors later?” – British soldier
British call rebels “communists” to retain U.S. support. Make concentration camps.
1963 Kenya negotiated independence.
O.A.U. created in 1963 to attempt to solve problems in Africa.

16. Belgian Congo (1960)
There were no African army officers, only three African managers in the entire civil service, and only 30 university graduates.
Western investments in mineral resources (copper, gold, tin, cobalt, diamonds, manganese, zinc) were colossal-the West was determined to keep control over the country beyond independence.
Patrice Lumumba  becomes president after 120 political parties vied for power - called a "mad dog” by CIA – assassinated
Opposition seized power with American backing in a bloodless coup- power passes to Mobuto Sese Seko (Refer to Stearns Reprint)