The Rise of Decolonization

The rise of decolonization is a process that reveals the historical connection between European countries and countries from other continents of our world. Succeeding World War I, many nations in Africa and Asia that were colonized by the Europeans found themselves searching for ways to break away from the colonizing empires of Europe. The process of decolonization is a steady transformation of new independent empires declaring their own sovereignty over colonial rule. There have been many examples from our world history that demonstrate this process, however, the purpose of my paper is to focus on the rise of decolonization and examine the impact of decolonization during the period of 1945-1970. International history has shown that decolonization is a progressive movement that ultimately declined the European nations claim for power and domination through multiple stages of resistance movements. “Decolonization is rarely achieved through a single historical act, but rather progresses through one or more stages of emancipation…” (Colonialism in 1945).

Before World War II, many nations were still under colonial rule, however, once the war had concluded, people were very determined to break away from the European colonial power. If you were to view a map of Asia and Africa prior to 1945, one would notice the Great Powers divide and territorial claims on each continent.

“…the introduction of colonial rule drew arbitrary natural boundaries where none had existed before, dividing ethnic and linguistic groups and natural features, and laying the foundation for the creation of numerous states lacking geographic, linguistic, ethnic, or political affinity” (Decolonization of Asia and Africa). However, after WWII ended, this map would begin to look very different. The war had taken a toll and negatively affected many of the European nations militarily and economically. This leads me to believe that one factor that had led to the rise of decolonization was the outcome of World War II. The European nations viewed colonialism as a way to bring more stability to their own economies after the war had caused most European economies financial volatility. Yet, European economies were much weaker following the conclusion of the war and they were not at full strength when trying to deal with the uprisings of the colonized empires. Another factor that had led to the rise of decolonization was that nationalism movements within the colonies diminished the ideologies that had been associated with colonialism before. “In a short time, in areas divided for centuries by ethnic and religious differences, states began organizing patriots into powerful movements to resist foreign domination. Those resistance movements would become nations in the aftermath of World War II” (Perry, pg. 646). People under colonial rule desired and advocated for national self-determination in an effort to bring independence and sovereignty to their empire. The final factor that I believe led to the rise of decolonization post World War II was that European countries could not handle the external views of the United States and the Soviet Union’s stance regarding colonialism. The opposition of views from two of the most powerful nations in the world around 1945 caused European nations to be viewed as less of a superior force than they were before World War II. As an aftereffect of the factors mentioned above, “Between 1945 and 1960, three dozen new states in Asia and Africa achieved autonomy or outright independence from their European colonial rulers” (Decolonization of Asia and Africa).

European power and expansion quickly took over Southeast and Central Asia long ago. “When China, India, and the Ottoman Empire lost the ability to control border territories, European states tried to grab them” (Perry. 646). Britain, France, and Germany competed with one another colonizing many different empires in Asia. Many of the independence movements in Asia took place after World War II. British power had begun to decrease in Asia, however, then the United States took control of some of the regions in Asia (Perry, pg. 646). The power of the United States in Asia actually benefitted most of the Asian empires because the United States supported decolonization. Military efforts during wars and nationalism seemed to be the turning point for Asian empires when finally breaking away from European control and gaining their independence. “Nationalism was the response to European expansion and control throughout Asia before and after World War I” (Perry, pg. 646). European powers, specifically the British and the French, had extended their power and claimed much of the land throughout Africa by the beginning of World War I. The rise to decolonization within Africa seemed to deal with movements that involved a lot of violence. Much of the riots and revolts against European colonialism led to many deaths. However, it was hard for the European nations to continue their dominance in Africa after WWII. Many of the European countries’ economies struggled due to the negative impact of the war.

The creation of the United Nations and its Charter greatly impacted the process of decolonization for many empires under colonial rule. Many of the newly independent states from Asia and Africa went on to join the United Nations after they had gained their sovereignty. The United Nations’ Charter embodied the values and principles of liberalism. Some of the values that the document expressed were the ideas of democracy, tolerance, and internationalism. After the destruction of World War II, the UN emphasized and focused on equal rights and world peace. Also, in the United Nations’ Charter, there were many statements that exhibited the negative influence of colonialism and how liberalism can overpower colonialism. For example, the Charter of the United Nations states, “Convinced that the continued existence of colonialism prevents the development of international economic co-operation, impedes the social, cultural and economic development of dependent peoples and militates against the United Nations ideal of universal peace” (United Nations’ Charter). This statement recognizes that colonialism goes against the beliefs and ideas of the United Nations’ member states. Many of the empires that gained their independence from 1945-1970 decided to join the United Nations because of their views in support of decolonization. “Convinced that all peoples have an inalienable right to complete freedom, the exercise of their sovereignty and the integrity of their national territory, Solemnly proclaims the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations;” (United Nations’ Charter). As you can see, the rise of decolonization has greatly affected the historic development of our world.

Sources

Colonialism in 1945. ssag.sk/studovna/files/Decolonization.pdf.

“Decolonization of Asia and Africa, 1945–1960.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/asia-and-africa.

Perry, Marvin, et al. Western Civilization - Ideas, Politics, and Society, Volume Ii: from 1600. 11th ed., vol. 2, Cengage Learning, Inc, 2015.

“United Nations: Declaration on Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, 1960.” Internet History Sourcebooks, sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/1960-un-colonialism.asp.