Decolonization Post World War II

So once we finished filling in AP bubbles, we began by talking about the widespread decolonization that occurred in the post-World War II period.


During this time, major European powers largely gave up their control of their colonial holdings on the continents of Africa and Asia.

For a brief refresher:

• Pre-World War I, many European powers, such as Britain and France, all looked to gain international strength by asserting their dominance by controlling colonies. There was  a massive rush to claim land across regions of Africa and Asia.

- Looking back on this, many noted this imperialism as a contributing factor in the start of World War I (ie: Serbian nationalists trying to gain their own independence).

Following the end of World War II, however, the opposite effect took hold, as many European nations gave up, or relinquished, their colonies abroad.  Two key examples of this are Britain's decolonization of India and France's eventual decolonization of Algeria.

Europe Leaving its Colonies

1. Decolonization of India  (1947)

• One of the earliest examples of post-war decolonization is that of India, which was officially released of British control in 1947.  
• Indian prime minister declared India's independence from Britain.

•  "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom"  - Jawaharlal Nehru (first prime minister of independent India)

However, was this declaration what made Britain leave India to itself , or rather,

Did Britain leave India or did India leave Britain?

For some time there had been conflict between Britain and India with mass uprising/calls for independence, however, Britain had remained in control through World War II. Therefore, it is more accurate that Britain left India in the process of decolonization in the years after World War II.

Given the weakened economic situation that occurred in Britain in the post-war period, Britain largely chose to cut its costly ties to its colony , thereby choosing to remove political control in favor of  an independent India.

Britain Decolonizing

• Britain's approach to its colonies after World War II  --> best summarized in Harold MacMillan's "Winds of Change" Speech where the British Prime Minister, while in South Africa, essentially detailing that Britain had to give up its colonies after WWII.

2. Decolonization of Algeria (1962)

• Unlike Britain, France desperately tried to hold on to its colonies in the time after World War II. Whereas Britain was never directly invaded during WWII, the Fall of France to Nazi Germany left France in the post-war years trying to prove its power.

When Algeria made moves for independence, France feeling as though its grasp was slipping , struggled to remain in control. However, after much domestic tension over the issue and incurred costs, it was forced to decolonize Algeria in 1962.

France to its Colonies

Reasons for Decolonization

     Given the examples of Britain and France, was decolonization purely an economic move?

• Economics did have a large role in this movement away from imperialism as many colonies became too costly for their worth .

• Although economic insufficiency  played a role in why nations like Britain and France decolonized, the overall movement of decolonization did have other factors.

Call for Decolonization

• Additional Factors that Contributed to Decolonization :

1. After World War II, colonialism and imperialism largely became obsolete as many viewed these as leading causes to how World War I began.

2. Also, after engaging in such an international conflict as World War II, many countries were weary of getting involved in foreign politics. Rather, countries such as Britain, began to focus on internal issues and rebuild domestically. 

3. In addition, in the post-war years, many colonies in Africa and Asia began to feel out their own political abilities. Restless for self-rule, many colonies resorted to revolt that only caused more tension for their ruling countries back in Europe.

Results of Decolonization

Two major results of  decolonization :

1. Increased Diversity in Europe

• Many people from previously held colonies traveled to Europe in search of employment.

• As a result of this influx, Europe saw a more multicultural background among its inhabitants than in decades prior.

2. Neo-Imperialism -> United States and Soviet Union

• With the Cold War gaining momentum throughout this time, the United States and the Soviet Union used proxy situations to exert their strength.

- As opposed to earlier periods, neo-imperialism never involved taking over foreign colonies directly.

- Rather there was a kind of economic imperialism that occurred as the two most powerful nations as the time, the US and the USSR, tried to best each other.

US/USSR Neo-Imperialism

-  American industries started to make their way into other countries and become a large part of their social and economic scene.

• One such example is how the Coca-Cola brand populated foreign markets. The success and popularity of these newly international brands often came at the expense of traditional, domestic European products.

- Gradually as American or Soviet products flooded the European market, the language and phrases used in the product would also influence the culture of a given nation, further demonstrating the new kind of imperialism post-decolonization.