Decolonization Key Terms

decolonization

The postwar reversal of Europe’s overseas expansion caused by the rising demand of the colonized peoples themselves, the declining power of European nations, and the freedoms promised by U.S and Soviet ideals. (3rd world nations gain independence mainly in areas in Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Latin America)

Mao Zedong

Chinese politician, leader of Chinese communists, during Chinese revolutionary war Soviets aided him, becomes communist dictator of China and resists imperialism after WWII, nationalism based on Marxist-Leninist ideology, adapted Marxism to Chinese interests.

Mohandas Gandhi

Popular Indian politician, British-educated lawyer, 1920’s and 1930’s he built a movement preaching nonviolent “noncooperation”, British withdrew peacefully after Labour party came to power in 1945 GB.

Gamal Abdel Nasser

Popular Egyptian politician, army office, led Egyptian revolution in 1952, drove out pro-western king and became president of Egyptian republic, advocated nonalignment, July 1956 nationalized the Suez canal company enraging British and French, American joined with USSR to force British, French, and Israelis to backdown, he got his canal.

Nonalignment

Policy of postcolonial government that emphasized neutrality in the Cold War and the unity of states emerging out of colonial domination.

Ho Chi Minh

leader of guerilla forces in Vietnam who defeated American aided French army in 1954, supported by USSR and China, becomes communist leader of Vietnam, truce established communist north and pro-western south which led to a civil war.

Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek)

authoritarian and led Guomindang (National people’s part), fought to repress Chinese communists, Americans aided him during the Chinese revolutionary war 1945. Fled to Taiwan.

Apartheid

an exploitative system of racial segregation enforced by the law, strict separation of different racial groups, Afrikaans word meaning “separate” or “apartness”

National Liberation Front (FLN)

established by Algerian rebels who were inspired by anticolonialism and Algerian nationalism, revolted against French colonialism in early 1950’s. radical nationalist movement in Algeria, launched sustained guerilla war against France in the 1950’s; success of attacks led to independence of Algeria in 1958.

Charles de Gaulle

popular French General that was reinstated as French president in 1958, people wanted him to keep Algeria French but he moved towards Algerian self-determination. Leader of free French forces in exile during WWII.

Neocolonialism

a postcolonial system that perpetuates western economic exploitation in former colonial territories.

postcolonial migration

the postwar movement of people from former colonies and the developing world to Europe.