The Colonies Become New Nations: Comprehensive Notes

Post-World War II Independence Movements

• Following WWII, many developing nations gained independence from colonial powers.

• The Cold War era became divisive, with nations aligning with either the Soviet Union or the United States for resources and defense.

• Economic crises, such as the failing oil industry in the 1970s, prompted migration to former imperial centers (Britain, France, Spain).

• Increased diversity in world capitals fostered the exchange of culture, business, and technology.

• Newly independent states often pursued democratic forms of government and open market economies.

Cold War Dynamics

• The instability of emerging nations sometimes led to dependency on superpowers.

• Nations sometimes played major powers against one another to gain advantages.

• Cold War conflicts occurred in hot spots like Iran, Cuba, Afghanistan, and Congo, impacting global dynamics.

Specific Case Studies

• Algeria: Gained independence from France (1954-1962); quickly aligned with the Soviet Union for economic assistance.

• Congo: Gained independence in 1960, led by Patrice Lumumba, who sought neutrality but was supported by the Soviet Union after facing Western resistance. Lumumba was eventually captured and killed, leading to the rule of Joseph Mobutu.

• Angola: Gained independence from Portugal in 1975 after prolonged civil conflict involving superpower interventions (Cuba and South Africa).

The Colonies Become New Nations

• Independence struggles led to new national identities and political systems, often affected by historical legacies of colonialism.

• Power struggles often ensued as ethnic and cultural divisions were exacerbated by the arbitrary borders drawn during colonial rule.

The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

• Affected by historical claims and the Balfour Declaration (1917) supporting a Jewish national home in Palestine.

• Post-WWII tensions culminated in the 1947 UN partition plan, leading to the creation of Israel and subsequent conflicts with Arab states.

• The Suez Crisis (1956) and Arab-Israeli Wars (1967 and 1973) further complicated the political landscape.

Nationalism in India

• The Indian independence movement was influenced by the legacy of British rule, leading to the emergence of key figures like Gandhi and Nehru.

• The partition of India in 1947 led to the formation of Pakistan and mass displacement and violence among religious groups (Hindus, Muslims).

Southeast Asian Independence

• Countries like the Philippines (1946) and Indonesia (1949) gained independence following WWII.

• Leadership figures like Sukarno played crucial roles in establishing governance frameworks.

African Independence Movements

• Ghana was the first African country to gain independence (1957), led by Kwame Nkrumah.

• The Negritude movement expressed pride in African heritage, influencing independence movements.

• Countries like Algeria and Kenya experienced violent struggles against colonial rule to achieve independence.

Challenges in Newly Independent Nations

• Ethnic strife, economic instability, and political corruption plagued many post-colonial nations.

• The transition from colonial rule to self-governance often led to civil wars and ongoing unrest, highlighting the struggle for national identity.

1. Causes of Decolonization

Short-Term Causes (months to 3–4 years):

• Post-WWII Weakness: European powers (e.g., Britain, France) economically drained after WWII, unable to maintain colonies.

• Nationalist Movements: Leaders like Gandhi (India), Nkrumah (Ghana) mobilized mass protests, strikes, and demands for independence.

• International Pressure: UN anti-colonial resolutions (e.g., 1960 Declaration on Granting Independence) and Cold War rivalry (US/USSR opposed colonialism).

• Violent Conflicts: Armed rebellions (e.g., Mau Mau in Kenya, Viet Minh in Vietnam) forced negotiations.

Long-Term Causes (25–100 years):

• Economic Exploitation: Colonies resented extraction of resources/wealth by colonizers (e.g., rubber in Congo, spices in Indonesia).

• Cultural Resistance: Indigenous identity movements (e.g., Negritude in Africa) revived pride in pre-colonial cultures.

• Education & Elites: Western-educated locals (e.g., Jomo Kenyatta) led demands for self-rule using democratic ideals.

• Global Shifts: Rise of anti-colonial ideologies (Marxism, Pan-Africanism) and precedents (e.g., Haiti 1804, Philippines 1946).

2. Effects of Decolonization

Immediate Effects (days to 18 months):

• Power Vacuum: Rapid withdrawals (e.g., Belgium in Congo) led to chaos, civil wars, or authoritarian takeovers.

• Partition Violence: Borders drawn by colonizers sparked conflicts (e.g., India/Pakistan 1947, Israel/Palestine 1948).

• Economic Disruption: Colonial infrastructure/cash crops collapsed; local economies unstable.

Short-Term Effects (18 months to 2 years):

• Cold War Proxy Battles: New nations became USSR/US allies (e.g., Angola, Vietnam).

• Authoritarian Rule: Many leaders (e.g., Mobutu in Congo) seized power, citing "unity" against colonial legacy.

• Dependence Continues: Neo-colonialism via economic ties (e.g., France’s CFA franc in Africa).

3. Struggles with Democracy (Pick 2 Regions)

Africa:

• Arbitrary Borders: Colonial borders ignored ethnic divisions, fueling civil wars (e.g., Rwanda, Sudan).

• Resource Curse: Reliance on exports (oil, diamonds) enabled corrupt elites (e.g., Nigeria, DRC).

• Legacy of Authoritarianism: One-party states replaced colonial rulers (e.g., Zimbabwe under Mugabe).

Latin America:

• Economic Inequality: Colonial caste systems persisted; elites controlled land/wealth.

• US Intervention: Cold War coups (e.g., Chile 1973) undermined elected governments.

• Weak Institutions: Frequent military dictatorships (e.g., Argentina, Brazil) replaced democracy.

(Alternative: Middle East—oil wealth fueled monarchies/dictators; Asia—ethnic divisions in Malaysia/Myanmar.)