Decolonization Summary

  • Decolonization Overview
    • Two primary methods for nations gaining independence:
    • Negotiated Independence
      • Example 1: India
        • Former British colony with significant investments in infrastructure.
        • Led to the formation of an educated middle class desiring self-rule.
        • Indian National Congress formed in 1885, initially ignored by Britain.
        • WWI participation by Indians hoped to secure self-rule but led to discontent post-war.
        • Nonviolent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi after the Amritsar Massacre.
        • British recognized Indian independence in 1947 due to economic strain from WWII.
        • Partition of India into India and Pakistan led to violence and mass migrations, resulting in over a million deaths.
      • Example 2: Gold Coast (Ghana)
        • Led by Kwame Nkrumah, negotiated independence in 1957 following a push against imperialism.
    • Armed Struggle for Independence
      • Common deciding factor for violent vs. peaceful decolonization: size of white European settler population.
      • Example 1: Algeria
        • Resistance against decolonization due to a significant French settler population.
        • Violent struggle began in 1954 with the National Liberation Front; independence achieved in 1962 after brutal conflict.
      • Example 2: Angola
        • Portuguese colony with insurrections in the 1950s.
        • Achieved independence in 1975 but quickly fell into civil war among ethnic groups with differing ideologies.
  • Legacy of Colonial Boundaries
    • Colonial boundaries disregarded ethnic and religious groups, leading to post-independence conflicts.
    • Nigeria:
    • Negotiated independence in 1960 but faced civil war by 1967 mainly due to the oil-rich Igbo region's attempt to secede.
    • North resisted secession, resulting in a united but tension-filled Nigeria following a military victory in 1970.