The End of the Age of Expansion

The End of the Age of Expansion

The fad of imperialism had enjoyed intermittent popularity in Europe before World War II, but was permanently retired by anybody who was anybody afterward.  Colonized people who had participated in the War were unhappy with contributing major resources to their colonizers in a conflict which did more damage to them than they got any recognition or satisfaction from,  and so they began to demand the right of self-determination. The Colonizers, the Western European superpowers, were somewhat content in complying with their once fundamental colonies' plead for freedom as their war with Imperial Germany had revealed to them the darkest evils of imperialism, and left them with a bad impression of the entire practice. And so one by one, colonized nations negotiated their emancipation and left these former empires on peaceful terms.

They actually took both from these guys, but trust me, it worked out for everyone else.

How the Two Main European Imperial Empires Reacted to Decolonization:

Britain 

Britain was the laxest with decolonization, as they wanted an autonomy of their states. In the interwar period they renamed their empire the British Common Wealth of Nations, and after the war it became just the Commonwealth of Nations, to suggest the equality of its component units.  For example, though most African and Asian nations left the British Empire, European countries such as Scotland decided to stay. Though these nations had a historic animosity with the British government, the new found respect they were paid mared well with Britain's ability to bring stability and financial opportunity to their land appeased them into a lasting partnership with England.  

A visual example of the process of decolonization.

France 

France was a bit more hesitant when it came to letting go of its influence over other nations than Britain was. The French had suffered far worse from World War II than the other Allied Powers, and so they were rather unenthusiastic at the thought of getting rid of any component of their economy let alone one so fundamental to their leftover power and influence. They did end up following in Britain's footsteps in regards to equalizing the "feel" of their empire, changing their title to the French Union and eventually "the Community," but they wanted the independent states they formally had complete sovereignty over to remain somewhat reliant on the French alliance. Trouble only arose when a people wanted a complete break from French influence, like Indochina (future Vietnam) and Algeria, which caused the French to go all controlling but distant parent on their rebellious, adopted foreign children.

No easy way to get rid of those French

Dear Readers,

When Yarn gives you a zero.

Nationalism

Pre-WWI, countries raced to acquire a stake in foreign lands. It was cool to have colonies. With growing empires, nationalism, or patriotism (pride in one's country), swept through Europe (& beyond).

Left: Colonies, Right: Colonizers

However, after the Age of Anxiety & WWII that followed...

People were disillusioned & confused, nation's economies were devastated by war, & the once-coveted colonies pleaded for independence & proved to be a burden to crumbling European empires.

Post-WWII, nationalism diminished. Decolonization became the new theme, the new prerogative. For example, France & Britain assisted colonies in the formation of sufficient governments & the establishing of new borders. In accordance with the demise of nationalism, mutualism was on the rise as countries began to cede sovereignty to international organizations (NATO, the UN, etc.). Nations now focused more on the maintenance of peace & collective security, making international interactions more about "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" than the parasitic colonization that had reigned supreme previous to WWII.

Pictured: the colonizers after WWII.

Did any nations not give up on nationalism? There are a few examples for those who did not abandon nationalistic sentiment after WWII: Ireland, the Republic of Kosovo, & the Basques of Spain. These nations or movements were deeply rooted in the hopes of gaining independence & the establishment of self-autonomy, therefore strong nationalism was necessary to achieve this. Most countries that had experienced a deterioration of nationalism were powerful empires suffering defeat or diminishing glory; those that stuck to or heightened their nationalistic & patriotic feelings were "on the rise," or in search of the greatness the large countries of WWII have or once had.

That is all, my friends. (Dong voice)

Me when I finished this post.

xoxo,

Flo :)

Nationalism In Europe After WWII

The majority of European countries gave up on the powerful idea of nationalism after World War II as they, as a group of nations did not want to fall victim to another extremely destructive worldwide conflict.  Not only did the Second World War eliminate the pre-existing central idea of nationalism but also it (as a result) redefined imperialism.

Before World War II, nationalism, tracing its origin back to the French Revolution, was a force that nations used in order to unite themselves against other countries and promote their own progress. One of the dooming factors of nationalism after WWII was its use by Adolf Hitler who used it as well as the weakness that followed WWI to gain power and play out his anti-Semitic pipe dreams. Nationalism, after its use by Hitler, switched from a positive, progressive force to a negative, scarily powerful idea that was to almost be avoided.

In addition to the now different aura of the word ‘nationalism’ many of the European countries, feeling defeated and scared after the second World War decided to come together and make an effort towards uniting with the intention of never entering another war like those they had just experienced. A variety of organizations including NATO, Euratom, the EU, and the Common Market are all examples of the European effort towards unity and peace. One can consider this effort particularly non-nationalistic as it represented instead of individual nations looking out for only their own well being (nationalism) European countries were working together for Europe’s collective benefit. The idea of imperialism was also redefined, as nations no longer had the soul interest of expanding but merely staying afloat. This movement can be seen in many countries’ abandonment of colonies. The colonies were presumably fighting for their independence at the same time, inspired by the happenings of Europe. One can look to the leading countries of France and Britain for examples as to how two leading European countires that had been eextremely imperialistic, looking for more and more land to use in order to expand their empire, to see the effects that WWII had on the imperialistic spirit. England, promptly released their colonies, granting them their independence quite quickly after the end of WWII as they themselves were attempting to recover economically as a nation from the losses that they sustained during the war. France on the other hand held onto its colonies for a bit longer, hesitant to part with the precious rewards to their many years of imperialistic endeavors. As nationalism and its power had essentially been discovered in France during the French revolution, one can understand their hesitation in abandoning their owning. In the end, France did, alongside Britain and many other European nations, give up their colonies. Evidentially, the effects of WWII on nationalism were wide reaching for the lives and government of European countries at the time.

Postwar Nationalism

European countries largely gave up on nationalism after WWII. The first world war was largely entered because its participants were experiencing strong nationalist sentiments at the time, and were just fortified economically by the second industrial revolution. War, to these nations, was not only an opportunity to extends one's territory, but it was also an opportunity to create national pride and show off a nation's strength.

causes of WWI

Yet, these glorified ideas of nationalism collapsed as the war lasted much longer than expected and was one of misery, spent waiting, hiding from blood in the trenches, not one of heroism on the battlefield. Thus, the age of anxiety and lost generation ensued. After WWI it seemed most were ready for international peace, the sword of nationalism dulled by the reality of war. Yet, Hitler proved the anomaly and other nations were literally dragged kicking and screaming into war. The popular policies of appeasement in Europe and isolationism of America during WWII display nationalism's disappearance, “Like the battleship, empire was made obsolete by the Second World War” (Betts).

causes of WWII

The postwar establishment of the UN and EU was the nail in the coffin of nationalism. Most leaders wanted the fighting to be over so that they could focus on reforming their depressed, war-weakened countries at home.
Previous nationalism came back to bite European nations when their colonies rose in revolt. The early attitude of the white man's burden and cultural superiority, major components of European nationalism, effectually separated native populations from settlers, so “what occurred in the colonial setting was juxtaposition, not intermixture.” (Betts) This cultural separation engendered nationalist sentiments among the natives, causing them to rise up when their mother countries were weak, after WWII.

While most nations easily gave up their colonial possession, happy to remove the weight from their already overburdened shoulders, France held reluctantly to its possessions in Indochina and Algeria, the “French still hoped for a unified and integrated colonial community” (Betts) . Having been severely beaten by WWII, the French were not ready to lose more power and influence. They fought Ho Chi Minh in Indochina from 1945 to 1954 and the nationalists in Algeria for four years before finally giving up both possessions. French defeatism and weakened nationalism was no match for the still-young nationalism of Indochina and Algeria as well as the guerilla warfare tactics of these opponents.

England was less reluctant to give up its Indian and Egyptian colonies. In India, which was granted limited independence by Britain in 1922, Ghandi rose as a prominent nationalist, advocating nonviolent decolonization. Ghandi's momentum reached its peak during WWII, when Britain was most distracted and at its weakest. In announcing Indian independence, Prime Minister Macmillan said,

"One of the constant facts of political life in Europe has been the emergence of independent nations… Especially since the end of war, the processes which gave birth to the nation-states of Europe have been repeated all over the world…  Fifteen years ago this movement spread through Asia. Many countries there, of different races and civilization, pressed their claim to an independent national life. To-day the same thing is happening in Africa… In different places it may take different forms, but it is happening everywhere. The wind of change is blowing through the continent… Whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact. We must all accept it as a fact.”

A final example of decolonization is the independence of the Dutch East Indies in 1950. The Dutch failed to defend the Indies during WWII, during which the islands were occupied by the Japanese. Long exploited by the Dutch under a harsh agricultural system, Indonesian nationalists rose against the Dutch in 1945. As the Dutch mainly held onto the Indies for financial reasons, they reluctantly instituted strict police actions for four years before the natives won independence in 1950.

While the nationalism of major European powers was crippling in WWI, nationalism in the colonies after WWII was perfectly timed as it occurred when the nationalism of the mother country was weakest. Decolonization was largely painless because it was mutually beneficial (France needed only to realize this).

“The quick retreat from empire, generally labeled "decolonization," was one of the major characteristics of postwar world politics and stands as striking proof that the older Eurocentric state of global affairs now only has a place in the history books.” (Betts)

Nationalism Post-WWII

After WWII, the world was exhausted from another world war and was paranoid thinking of the possibilities of more world-wide entanglements. Tired of war, many countries suffered on a nationalistic front, starting the trend of decolonization as colonies that had tried to become more nationalistic demanded independence. Britain gave independence to India in 1947, splitting up the large colony into the two countries India and Pakistan, as well as Ireland, Egypt, and South Africa. France first resisted the decolonization movement, involving itself in conflicts arising in Algeria, violently trying to oppress the increasing nationalism in its colonies while struggling to develop nationalism at home. France had soon granted independence to almost all its African colonies by 1960, Vietnam had fought to become its own nation, and only a few areas were still partially under French rule (Somalia fought for its independence later on and achieved it in 1977). The lack of effort to retain colonies on Britain's part and the lack of ability to control colonies for France brought any wartime nationalism to an end. Many European nations chose to forgo the independence associated with nationalism and formed the United Nations, providing an economic and social council, an International Court of Justice, and a Trusteeship council to oversee colonial territories. As international collective defense seemed to become more appealing, NATO was formed in 1949, an agreement that bound members together for mutual protection from potential attacks. The lack of nationalism after WWII (excluding the nationalistic colonies fighting for independence) brought upon a want for international cooperation to ensure an avoidance of another worldwide conflict and a lackluster effort on Britain and France’s part to keep colonies under their control, especially after the war had taken so much away from them and given so much power to their colonies.

Increasing and Decreasing Nationalism Post-WWII

Prior to World War II, powerful countries were focused on gaining more power, territory, and control.  There was an age of “New Imperialism” where Britain, France, Germany, and other countries raced to claim land and conquer people that they felt were inferior to them.  The ideas of cultural/racial superiority and the “white man’s burden” were very apparent at this time.  Nationalism was widespread as European people took pride in the success, values, and actions of their countries.  This all changed after World War II.  Many nations, especially Germany, lost their power and prestige after the war.  Their soldiers, resources, and stamina had been exhausted, and citizens were no longer as proud of their homelands.  Europe took a beating after two world wars, and many countries were divided among the victors as punishment to the losers in the treaties that officially ended the war and declared the peace conditions.  The people in these divided countries definitely gave up on nationalism; their countries technically no longer existed and they were forced to join another country with which they did not identify.  Even those countries that got to keep their territories began the process of decolonization.  The colonized people wanted their freedom and European nations were more focused on maintaining internal stability after the shocking and destructive war, so they were looking to cut ties with any territory that was not cooperating or exhibiting strong self-determination.  Both France and Britain granted independence to many of their colonies.  World War II had empowered the colonies and exhausted the colonizers.  Colonies were gaining their independence as they challenged their rulers, leading to an increase in their nationalism and corresponding a decrease in European nationalism.  Finally, after the war, many countries agreed to put preventative measures in place to protect themselves against the possibility of another world war in the form of international alliances and organizations such as NATO and the United Nations.  While these collaborative efforts were beneficial and increased the security of each member country in the case of a threat or attack, the nations were somewhat reluctant to join.  They knew that it was for their own good, but it also decreased their already declining nationalism as they became more dependent on other countries and ceded some of their power/sovereignty to these multinational organizations.  In conclusion, decolonization following the war resulted in nationalism for new independent countries, but concession of power and weakened stability led to a diminished sense of nationalism in Europe.

Nationalism and Decolonization

Spotted: AP Euro losing something no one knew we had to begin with. Our heart.

Before WWI, numerous European countries embarked on imperial missions, where they reorganized new colonies and introduced such nations to the ideals that were fostered by eurocentrism. It was during this period that nationalism1 became the political/ideological tool used in these growing empires.

Nationalism made the mother country feel good. 

1 nationalism (n): patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts - an extreme form of this, especially marked by a feeling of superiority over other countries

However, after WWII countries abandoned their extended empires by decolonizing2 their colonies. Was nationalism dead? Why did countries like Britain and France decolonize?

Empires realizing colonization was risky business...

2 decolonization (n): act of one country to withdraw from a colony leaving it independent.

Three key elements played a major role in [decolonization]: colonized peoples' thirst for independence, the Second World War which demonstrated that colonial powers were no longer invulnerable, and a new focus on anti-colonialism in international arenas such as the United Nations. - History of Decolonization

Example of Colonization to Decolonization:

Colors illustrate the "race for Africa," while the dates in each colony of Africa reveal its year of independence.

Great Britain | France

Great Britain and France were major players in decolonization. The new system of colonial nomenclature these countries used reveals a type of correctness as well (British Empire = “Commonwealth of Nations;” French Empire = “The Community”).

Through decolonization, France and Great Britain assisted ex-colonies in establishing sustainable forms of leadership within their own borders. These governmental figures were of the people, and were no longer emblems of expansion, but of independence. A gradual progression into self-rule allowed countries like Great Britain to rid themselves of the burden of imperialism, while avoiding major shock for itself and its counterpart.

Freedom (pretend this is GB though).

Great Britain was a country very much affected by the burdens of WWI and WWII, which like many imperial nations, left Britain reevaluating its “great” power and superiority. Great Britain, then, did disrobe itself of nationalistic ideals. “...The British moved more toward autonomy and self-government [for its previous colonies].”

People became friends!

France, on the other hand, was slower at giving up on nationalism. Indochina and Algeria remained important colonies under French jurisdiction, which is why war occurred from 1947 to 1954. Vietnam, part of Indochina, under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh, defeated France (through guerrilla warfare) and pushed its “parent-country” into recognizing the People’s Republic of North Vietnam. France was a little late to the "Bye-bye Nationalism Party."

Ho Chi Minh was like...

Newly independent countries attempted to become “nationalistic,” as they wanted to establish strong nations themselves, as they no longer had to look towards foreign rule. An example of this occurs in Africa, which during the “race for Africa” became a colorful mishmash of countries (see image above). When countries began to decolonize, it became evident that along with abandonment from their colonizers, came a harsh realization that they could only become “great” if they applied modern, Eurocentric inventions (hence the "third world").

Alone at last.

“The North African driving a donkey cart equipped with pneumatic tires is one example of such change, as is the Hindu peasant listening to his transistor radio…  the two cultures were consciously blended.”

“Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru… wrote that the "shock value" of European imperialism was all important. He meant that European culture, with its scientific and technological base, aroused other cultures from their centuries-old complacency or traditionalism.”

With the end of the "age" of nationalism concluding throughout Europe, came new -isms that similarly plagued society. Ex-colonies and ex-colonizers formed relationships again, this time based on mutualism and not parasitism, and so people moved from the “third world” to the “first world.” The modern countries, Great Britain and France, attracted people from countries that were newer and less-established. These maturer states became magnetic for people seeking better lives, since many of the ex-colonies were hit with a harsh reality post-decolonization. And so, with nationalism going out the door, racism - for example - entered Europe for the very first time.

Our class until AP exams.

Me if you go anywhere near me tomorrow.

Why’d colonies come? Why’d they leave? Send me all the deets. And who am I? That’s the secret I’ll never tell. The only one. —XOXO. Gossip Girl.