Decolonization Movements in the 20th Century

Independence Movements

  • Some countries negotiated independence, while others fought for it.
  • European powers often retained control over resources even after independence.

Causes of Decolonization

  • Growing Nationalism: A significant factor.
  • Partitioning Deaths: Millions of Muslim and Hindu people died during the partitioning of countries.
  • World Wars:
    • World War I and World War II weakened colonial powers.
    • Self-determination was not granted to all, causing anger.
  • Cold War:
    • Facilitated decolonization as NATO sought to prevent Soviet influence.

Leaders of Decolonization Movements

  • Referred to as "fathers of independence."

Kwame Nkrumah

  • Helped Ghana gain independence.
  • Started the Pan-African movement to promote unity and mutual support among newly independent African nations, aiming to open up markets with each other.

Apartheid in South Africa

  • Legal racial discrimination similar to Jim Crow laws but more severe.
  • White areas were well-developed, while black areas were impoverished (no running water, sewage, etc.)
  • Satellite images could clearly distinguish between white and black areas.

Nelson Mandela

  • Worked with the African National Congress (ANC) to end apartheid starting in the 1950s.
  • Jailed for 27 years.

Desmond Tutu

  • A Catholic priest who exposed apartheid to the global media in the 1980s.

International Pressure

  • The United States imposed sanctions and refused South Africa's participation in the Olympics.
  • This pressure forced the government to change.

F.W. de Klerk

  • President who created legislation to end apartheid in 1994.

Indian Independence

  • Gained independence through nonviolent struggle in 1947.

Key Figures

Nehru
  • Prime Minister of independent India from 1947 to 1964.
  • Leader in the Non-Aligned Movement, advocating neutrality in the Cold War.
  • Sought to keep market options open by not aligning with either NATO or the Warsaw Pact.
Mahatma Gandhi
  • Pushed for Indian independence through civil disobedience starting around 1915.
  • Civil disobedience: Peaceful disobedience.
  • Inspired a huge movement for Indian independence.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
  • Led the Muslim League.
  • Worked with Gandhi to seek independence.

British East India Company

  • Controlled India for about 150 years through economic imperialism.
  • The Mughals technically remained in control but had limited power.
  • The company made treaties and raised an army.
Sepoys
  • Indian soldiers employed by the British East India Company as mercenary soldiers.
  • Most were either Muslim or Hindu.
Sepoy Rebellion
  • Caused by cultural insensitivity and forced adherence to treaties (e.g., dietary restrictions).
  • Muslims cannot eat pork, and Hindus cannot eat beef.
  • Led to the British government taking direct control of India.

British Raj

  • Began after the Sepoy Rebellion, with the British setting up a viceroyalty and government.
  • India became a colony.
  • The Sepoy Rebellion is considered the first act towards Indian independence.

Indian National Congress

  • Formed in 1885, led mostly by Indian elites.
  • Aimed to end caste discrimination and British control.
  • Employed strategies of nonviolence and civil disobedience.
Strategies
  • Nonviolence to gain global support.
  • Civil disobedience: Passive resistance and boycotts.
  • Aim: To expose the injustices of imperialism.

Amritsar Massacre

  • Occurred after World War I when Indian people were denied self-determination.
  • Public gatherings were banned.
  • British forces, led by a general, fired on a group of peaceful protesters (men, women, and children) in an enclosed space.
  • The event was documented and publicized, damaging the British image.