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.