Colonial Independence
Colonial Independence (1945-1989)
Europe Bankrupt
Aftermath of ww2 leaves colonial powers of europe and japan bankrupt and unable to maintain their global empires
Throughout the cold war, the question arose of if colonies gaining independence would choose democracy or communism
The Middle East
Division under Mandate System
Following Ottoman Empire’s losses in WW1, caused middle east to be divided to colonial powers of europe
Britain
Egypt, palestine, jordan, iraq
France
Algeria, lebanon, syria
Italy
Somaliland (Somalia)
Somali independence after italy’s defeat in ww2
Zionism
Nationalist movement among European jews
Goal was to return to the homeland of the Hebrews
What is the british mandate of Palestine
Britain had promised Arabs in Palestine and Zionists in Europe and independent homeland
Zionism wasn’t completely popular among European Jews who had completely assimilated
Arabs are happy to sell land to zionists in Palestine due to much land being unused
No conflict in Palestine yet
Post ww2
European Jews run to this homeland after the disasterous effects of the Holocaust
Realization that they’d never be fully safe in Europe
Holocaust survivors move to Palestine en mass
1:2 jewish to palestinian ratio for a while
UK doesn’t want bloodshed on their hands, especially for Holocaust victims
Limit amount of survivors going to Palestine, not possible
Exodus 1947- passengers protest when denied access by UK into Palestine, mostly Holocaust survivors
1948, violence was beginning to erupt periodically between Jews and Arabs
Increases conflict for UK
Territory divided
UK divides Palestine into sections for Jewish and Arab populations
Partition
Surrounding countries refuse to acknowledge a Jewish Palestine
Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia
Vow to “destroy” the Jewish population once the UK leaves the area, and would help Palestinians to drive the Jews out of the area
UK Leaves
Surrounding Islamic countries (listed above) invade Jewish settlements, prompting war between Jews and Arabs
Jewish response
Jewish settlers prevail against the invading nations and Arabs
With their post-Holocaust resolve, the Jews defeat every invader
Counter-attack, conquer many Arab regions
Create a new country
Israel
Many Palestinians flee the Israeli-controlled areas or were expelled
Israeli Wars
Series of wars against Arabs over next 30 years, Israel having to fight for their existence
Can’t afford to lose a war for risk of genocide
Suez Crisis- 1956
Egypt attempts to block Suez Canal in response to Israel’s existence
Israeli success, seize Gaza Strip
Six Day War- 1967
Israel seized Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights and Jerusalem
Jerusalem’s significance to three major Abrahamic religions
First time since 500 BCs(?) that one nation has control over Jerusalem
Lasted six days
Overwhelming Israeli success against Syria and Egypt
Yom Kippur War- 1973
Israel defeats another invasion by Egyptians during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur
Conquer more Arab land
Israel still struggles with Arab populations that come under their control
Cold War connection
Israel, being a democracy, is supported by the USA, UK, etc. in exchange for intelligence on Soviet states
Testing ground for the Cold War weaponry
Arab nations backed by USSR
Also have animosity towards democracy as a result
Conflict continues into the modern day with little to no progress
Palestinian Liberation Organization
Hamas
Caused terrorist attack in October, 2023
Perpetrates cycle of violence
Guerilla war, causes many innocent deaths
Outside Arab countries don’t let Palestinians in unless as refugees for fear of extremists
Sub-Saharan Africa
European countries begin leaving colonies
1957- Ghana
1958- Guinea
1960- West African independence
Economies primarily remain on agriculture and natural resources from europeans not really developing the economies
Unpredictable, determined by agricultural situations
Europeans are taking infrastructure with them
Leave behind several impoverished countries
France is the WORST
Dig up telephone poles…. That’s crazy
Some european countries cling to their colonies
Kenya
Formerly British
Independence movement
Jomo Kenyatta
1963- secret society leads a rebellion
Mau Mau rising
Goal to force the British out
Attack British colonials, about 100 die
British army comes in to put down this rebellion
If you need a military presence to keep a colony, it’s not worth it
British grant independence to Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta is leader of independency
The Congo
Formerly Belgian colony
1965- war of independence against Belgium
Send in troops
Decide to leave lol
Eventually splits into several countries
Angola
Formerly Portuguese for over 400 years
Communist insurgency emerges
Considerable success
1975- angolan independence
Prompts civil war, lasts until 2002
Cuban troops sent in by Castro
South Africa
Portuguese -> Spanish -> Dutch (Boers) -> British
Zulu war, Boer Wars
“Home rule”
British could govern from main land without actually being there
After Boer War, South African government imposes segregation
Apartheid
Separated 16% of South Africans of European descent from those of native African
Allows minority to have control
Does not end until 1989
World applies pressure to South Africa to end Apartheid
1989- president formerly abolishes it
Next election is free, a South African president is elected
Nelson Mandela
Marks end of Apartheid
India
Most precious British colony
Independence movements had been active since 1930s
EIC is put down by Sepoy Rebellion, replaced by the Raj
Opposition becomes organized by 1960s, led by mostly one man
Mohandas Gandhi
Unlike other independence movements, Gandhi believed he could get international pressure on Britain through a new means
Non-violent protest
Expose injustice of the Raj, provoke world sympathy
Primary target was laws made by The Raj, mainly preventing Indians from accessing natural resources in order to make them depend on the British
Indian resources -> British -> Indians
Gandhi and his followers’ peaceful protests are met with violence, which is recorded and broadcasted to the rest of the world, which provokes sympathy
Wears traditional clothing despite being a lawyer
Not buying British manufactured goods, making his own clothing
Most famous protest targets Raj’s law of prohibiting Indians from gathering salt
Salt March
Protestors are beaten and arrested, causes international cry to let India go
Hunger Strikes
1947- British leave India
Afraid that leaving will cause rivalry between Muslims and Hindus
To prevent this, the British separate India
Partitioning India
Modern India goes to the Hindus
East and West Pakistan goes to Muslims
These two are separated by Hindu India (sure that seems fine…)
Gandhi greatly opposes this, but fails
Violence still breaks out as they move to respective areas
Thousands killed in religious violence
Gandhi continues to seek diplomacy with Pakistani governments
Angers fellow Hindus
Gandhi assassinated by Hindu radical in 1948
Even within Hindu India, there are many ethnic groups
1970s- Ceylon independence
Sri Lanka
East Pakistan breaks away
Bangladesh
Cold War Connection
India becomes world’s largest democracy
Supported by United States
Pakistan receives support from PRC (people’s republic of China)
Kashmir