Decolonization: A Global Perspective

Decolonization Abroad and At Home

Introduction to Decolonization

  • Definition of Decolonization

    • Political: Secure sovereignty and/or independence for colonized peoples globally.

    • Economic: Return control of colonial economies to indigenous peoples.

    • Social/Institutional: Reconfiguration of structures of power and class relations for local needs.

    • Cultural/Intellectual: Release colonized peoples from colonial ways of thinking and being.

Timeline of Decolonization

  • Africa

    • Libya: 1951

    • Egypt: 1952

    • Sudan: 1956

    • Morocco: 1956

    • Tunisia: 1956

    • Ghana: 1957

    • Guinea: 1960

    • Mali: 1960

    • Niger: 1960

    • Senegal: 1960

    • Chad: 1960

    • Upper Volta: 1960

    • Gambia: 1960

    • Ivory Coast: 1960

    • Mauritania: 1960

    • Gabon: 1960

    • Central African Republic: 1960

    • Congo (Brazzaville): 1961

    • Congo (Kinshasa): 1960

    • Uganda: 1962

    • Kenya: 1963

    • Tanzania (from Zanzibar): 1964

    • Zambia: 1964

    • Malawi: 1964

    • Botswana: 1966

    • Swaziland: 1968

    • Lesotho: 1966

  • Asia

    • India: 1947

    • Pakistan: 1947

    • Burma: 1948

    • Ceylon: 1948

    • Laos: 1954

    • Vietnam (divided with North and South): 1954

    • Korea (divided): 1945

    • Singapore (from Malaysia): 1965

    • Brunei: 1963

  • Middle East

    • Lebanon: 1946

    • Syria: 1948

    • Cyprus: 1956

    • Kuwait: 1961

    • Israel: 1946

    • Jordan: 1946

Causes of Decolonization

  • Political Changes

    • Political, economic, and intellectual changes in Europe post-World War II limit the ability and willingness of European powers to maintain empires.

  • Cold War Influence

    • The Cold War dynamics necessitate interaction with colonized peoples. Both U.S. and U.S.S.R ideologies are anti-colonial.

  • Nationalism

    • Growth in nationalism and demand for self-rule and/or independence, stemming from the Interwar and Postwar periods.

Dirty Wars

  • Definition: Brutal colonial wars occurring in regions such as Kenya, Algeria, and Vietnam.

  • Nature of Conflict:

    • Violence pits colonized peoples against colonizers, and often against each other, indicating disunity among the colonized.

    • Both U.S. and U.S.S.R. provide funding to friendly governments and rebel groups globally, including Africa and Asia.

  • Case Study: Algerian War

    • Duration: 1954-1962

    • Casualties: Up to 1.5 million Algerian deaths, 25,000 French soldiers, and 6,000 European civilians; destruction of 8,000 villages and imprisonment of 2 million people in concentration camps.

    • Post-war impact: Approximately 900,000 Europeans flee from Algeria to France.

Decolonization in the United States

  • Civil Rights Movement:

    • Coincides with global decolonization; various racial/ethnic minorities (African Americans, Chicanos, indigenous peoples) forge ties with Third World activists.

  • Legislative Milestones:

    • 1968 Indian Civil Rights Act: Granted rights to Native Americans as outlined in the Bill of Rights. Subsequent laws allowed Tribal governments to directly contract with federal authorities on healthcare, education, etc.

    • 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act: Transferred state and federal land to indigenous Alaskans, notable as the largest land claims settlement in U.S. history up to that time.

  • Broader Implications:

    • Decolonization is not solely about independence; it encompasses addressing long-term historical injustices and inequities.

Cultural Change in the Metropole

  • Migration Trends:

    • Decolonization leads to an influx of colonial peoples into former metropole nations, fostering cultural diversity, as well as increases in racism and bigotry.

  • Impact on Music:

    • Cultural evolution during the 1950s and 1960s in Britain tied to realities of decolonization, e.g., transition of music styles from Ska to Punk.

Jamaica and the British Empire

  • Role as a Colony:

    • Primary production for sugar, first by African slaves, then by migrants from China and South Asia.

    • During WW2, Jamaican administration transferred to U.S., establishing a linkage between American and Jamaican cultures.

  • Decolonization Process:

    • Gradual following of wartime losses, with British support for migrant rights to settle in Britain upheld throughout the 1970s.

Working Class Culture in the U.K.

  • Cultural Dynamics:

    • 1960s working-class culture opposes conservative parental values and also rejects middle-class hippie values.

    • Economic growth leads to disposable income, with skinheads emerging that incorporate styles from diverse musical genres while sharing connections with new Caribbean migrants.

  • Identity and Social Statements:

    • Traditional skinheads are characterized as non-xenophobic, making cultural and social statements rather than political or racial remarks.

Cross-Cultural Influences

  • Cultural Exchange:

    • Cultural importation from colonies influences middle-class and working-class life in Europe, with music styles evolving from rock and roll to reggae and punk.

  • Notable Cultural Products:

    • The Specials - "A Message to You Rudy"

Societal Challenges and the Rise of Nationalism

  • Fear of Multiculturalism:

    • Nationalists argue that immigrants will take jobs from native citizens and rely on social welfare systems.

    • Racial violence targeted at immigrants, particularly those from South Asia and black communities.

    • The British National Party (BNP) capitalizes on growing nationalist sentiments, advocating for a "Britain for the British" agenda.

Conclusion on Decolonization

  • Continued Racial Dynamics:

    • Misconceptions arise as elements within the youth culture, particularly skinheads, are misinterpreted as universally racist due to their socio-economic positions.

    • Music associations, e.g., 4 Skins - "One Law for Them"

  • Impact of Decolonization:

    • It induces significant changes not only in formerly colonized regions but also effects profound cultural adjustments within Europe.

    • The late 1970s and 1980s witness a resurgence of nationalist sentiments coinciding with immigration from former colonies.

  • Decolonization in the 21st Century:

    • Addressing injustices rooted in historical inequities remains a significant aspect of political activism today.