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.

Review Timeline (no not the book)

1968 = (unofficially called) THE Decade OF DEATH and just general unrest

• April 4, 1968 → Martin Luther King Jr assassinated
• May 16, 1968 → Paris Demonstrators
• June 6, 1968 → Robert Kennedy assassinated
• August 21, 1968 → Soviet tanks invade Prague
• November 5, 1968 → Nixon elected

And now, here are the details on SOME of these events

1. Paris Demonstrators → students and workers riot against their unresponsive government, the Vietnam War, and the nuclear arms race. It especially shook the foundations of the French government.
2. Soviet tanks invade Prague, Czechoslovakia → This Communist satellite state feels the wrath of the Soviet Union as Czechoslovakia experiments with democracy.  The Soviets are so ruthless that a student even incinerates himself in protest.
• Does this sound familiar?
• Think back to the Hungarian Revolution → once again, a small nation seeking independence from the USSR is abandoned by the West
• Why would the West abandon them?
• The nations recognize that the USSR is a monster and do not want to present any possibility for a new war.
• So what becomes of Czechoslovakia?
• In 1989, it breaks into the Czech Republic and Slovakia following the end of the Soviet Union.

The Western Attitude

On a lighter note, let's check out the culture of the  "Golden Sixties"

• Britain was the forerunner for clothes and accessories.
• Individualism and youth culture were bolstered by new inventions like the TV and transistor radios.
• Skirts got shorter and boots got taller for girls while men grew their hair and wore pointed shoes
• The economy was booming in the EU, helping to spread European culture (especially Britain's) to the US.

Old People's Response to the Rise of Youth Culture

Good Bye 60s - Hello 70s!

• 1) Sadly, the decade begins with the infamous Munich Massacre
• 1972, Palestinian terrorists take Israelis prisoner in the Olympic village.
• At this time, terrorism involved bartering rather than simple destruction.
• 2) 1975 → Helsinki Accords (AKA "the USSR is really power lol" - Everyone)
• They solidify the post WWII borders
• Why weren't they recognized before?
• Well, the Soviets weren't supposed to stay in the Baltic States. They were just to nurse the nations back to health...
• These accords are really a "recognition of reality" that the USSR was really powerful and that it could really take any territory it wanted.
• This "recognition of reality" reminds us of Nixon's recognition of the People's "Republic" as China even though it was communist, and the recognition of the Soviets as the proper rulers of Russia (both are events that preceded the Helsinki Accords).

Russia to the rest of the world

• 3) THE European Union
• 1972 → The first step towards the euro is taken by the EU as it allows its currencies to fluctuate against each other.
• Why was level of monetary responsibility important for these newly united nations?
• They had spent the 3 wars between 1870 - 1945 trying to kill each other (Franco-Prussian War and the World Wars)
• Now countries like Germany and France were trying to get along for the sake of avoiding yet another war.

The real Message of the EU

• January 1, 1973 → Denmark, Ireland, and the UK formally enter the EU (making 6 into 9 yay mathh))
• The UK got a lost of special privileges (ex. They got to keep their own currency) 
• June 7-10, 1973 → The members of the European Parliament are elected for the first time 
• Members were from pan-European political groups: Socialist, Conservative, Liberal, Green, etc.

• 4) 1979
• Margaret Thatcher elected (yes, a woman)
• ALSO Brezhnev Doctrine
• Partially plagiarized from the Truman Doctrine, BUT it's a support for any Communist state against capitalism
• What weakens the Soviet Union (and basically begins its downfall)
• Soviets invade Afghanistan to (terrible idea)
• They immediately retreat (like a short version of US was in Vietnam)
• The government's failure to gain a victory started a desire to change the ruling state
• Kind of like the reaction to Alexander II's reforms after the Crimean failure -- i mean war.

And Finally, the 80s where we mostly talked about the US in Europe but like watevs

• 1980 → Miracle on Ice (Yay everyone's fave movie) → the Arms Race but on ice
• America beats Soviets :)

Remember this??

The Reaction of Easter Berliners to the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall

• 1987 → Reagan demands Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall
• Previous to this, Gorbachev had been implementing changes to bring the Soviet back on par with the rest of the world economically
• Berliners think his reforms will bring freedom and tear down the wall in 1989 under George H. W. Bush's presidency
• 1989 → The Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia
•  The end of communism in Czechoslovakia which included no blood shed and split the country into the Czech Republic and Slovakia (as we discussed earlier)

Post World War II: A Blog of Timelines

This blog is going to go through the years after World War II and recap all of the major happenings of the latter half of the 20th century.


Starting off, we have the year 1945 (which was still in WWII but we'll ignore that)

The United Nations is created!!!
      But what is the difference between this and the failed League of Nations from the past? 

• For one, the UN was much stronger because of the membership of the United States 
• And yes, we did make that much of a difference. 
• There was also a promise of authorization to use military force! 
• The League of Nations, however, was essentially just talk



League of Nations when it failed because everyone was to on-edge to join

• It also started after the war ended, thus making countries hesitant to join because of the unpromising future and countries were still salty about consequences.
• The UN was created and finalized during a war. Countries were more willing to make strong allies and end the war, and have a plan for afterwards. 

1946: 

Nuremberg Trials 

Germany if everyone had been tried

• This was when America, the UK, France and the Soviet Union judged 22 top-tier Nazi criminals. 
• all of these men were found guilty
• a question brought up today was why ALL of the Nazi's were not tried; literally so many people had participated. 
• Germany needed people who knew how to run a government to be in charge of Germany.
• Taking away everything Germany had after WWI essentially allowed Hitler to take charge. 
• A state structure, led by their own people, was needed to really reconstruct the country. 

1947: 

Israel and Palestine 

• Palestinian Mandate: chunk of the Ottoman Empire run by Britain 
• In 1917, The Balfour Declaration claimed that Britain would help Palestine set up a place for the Jews
• Fighting for the religious homeland (all of the religions, countries, etc.) 

1948: 

The Marshall Plan 

The U.S. if the USSR had accepted the plan

• The U.S. offered 13 billion dollars to aid Western Europe after World War II
• The Soviet Union declined this offer 
• Why??? 
• The Soviet Union did not want to be in debt to a country like the United States
• was it a bribe?? 
• In a way, yes. 
• The Soviet Union would "owe" the U.S., under their control in a way

The Berlin Airlift 

• The U.S. brought food and goods to West Berlin by air after the East German Government attempted to cut off supplies, resources, and trade routes. 
• Federal Republic of Germany (FRG): West Germany 
• German Democratic Republic (GDR): East Germany 

1953: 

Stalin Dies

Soviets at all times

• Khrushchev takes charge after Stalin's death
• Cuban Missile Crisis was extremely negative to his power
• there was a brief period of de-Stalinization 
• policy in Soviet Russia where Stalin's beliefs and memories were attempted to be eradicated
• tension in the Cold War
• Korean War, beginning of Vietnam, Hungarian Revolution... 
• all of these were happening 
• very busy time for Soviets 

1956: 

Hungarians Revolt 

• Budapest uprising and revolts, but no country comes in to help. 
• WHY?? America was supposed to be all for containing communism
• If the Hungarians were trying to break away, why would the U.S. not help out? 
• But, Hungary was apart of the Warsaw Pact, along with being one of the satellite countries (a buffer for the Soviets)
• If the U.S. had gone into Hungary, it would have been interpreted as a direct attack against the Soviets. 

Suez Crisis: 

• Invasion of Egypt so as to gain control of the Suez Canal (for oil) 
• marked the last time England and France did something drastic without the U.S.

Charles de Gaulle

• French Fifth Republic is formed 
• He is remembered most for asserting French Independence 
• France did not have to listen/follow the UK or US.
• Pulled French Military Control out of NATO
• offers help to Algeria rebels 

1960's: 

U-2 Spy Plane

• shot down over the Soviet Union and was a prisoner of war for a while 

Beatles

• John Lennon: "We're bigger than Jesus" (sorry Hughes)

Gorbachev becomes the next notable Soviet leader

Margaret Thatcher: 

• Britain's first Female Conservative Prime Minister 
• She was adamant on her beliefs, didn't let people intimidate her
• But she had a lot to prove because of her gender
• BFFS with our boi Ronald Reagan 

World War II

Many a thing to discuss in a time of war.

1.) Dealing with the Great Depression in EUROPE (Not America...sadly)

1. Scandinavia - established Socialist ideals = most successful European country in the Great Depression 
• In 1920s, they passed social reform laws for peasants and workers, and developed a unique kind of socialism
• Scandinavian socialism: Grew out of a strong tradition of cooperative community action 
2. When Great Depression struck 1929 - socialist governments in Scandinavia built on the cooperative social action
1. increased social welfare benefits
2. government spending = required large bureaucracy and HIGH TAXES 
3. in the end = Welfare socialism and democracy thrived
3. "Scandinavian welfare socialism was an appealing "middle way" between SICK capitalism and CRUEL communism or Fascism." (Pg. 947)

2.) Great Britain and France through the Depression: 

• Britain's recovery plan:
• Balanced Budget, economy recovered after 1932
• their reforms reflected the gradual reorientation of British economy
• Britain concentrated on NATIONAL, rather than INTERNATIONAL markets
• France:
• Depression hit France HARD
• decline until 1935 - short recovery never brought production or employment completely back
• economic stagnation reflected and heightened an ongoing political crisis --> there was NO STABility IN THE GOVERNMENT
• lost its unity 
• The Communists, Socialists, and Radicals FEARED THE STRENGTH OF THE FASCISTS
• Formed an alliance called the POPULAR FRONT = encouraged the union movement and launched social reform programs
• tried to deal with social and economic problems of Depression 

3.) SO DID EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE A COLLECTIVE RESPONSE TO THE DEPRESSION?

• these countries shared the same ideas - but there was no single leader of the "Pan European party" - Yarn
• The response of these countries to the Depression was significantly different compared the US
• Was their response collective??? Like America?
• NO. they are not the same
• What goes on in Germany WAS WAY DIFFERENT THAN BRITAIN AND FRANCE
• Germany was destroyed by WWI - needed to pay heavy reparations from the Versailles Treaty
• Let's look at America for a second because WHY NOT:
• America had a veryveryvery bad experience with the Depression 
• American reforms were not successful 
• programs/reforms hard to sustain in declining economy 
• International relations: ISOLATION ISOLATION ISOLATION 
• 
• Britain and France: YES ALSO ISOLATION WHO HOOO!
• Munich Conference = "pinnacle of staying uninvolved in WWII" - Yarn 
• So Europe had similar responses with differing details but the OVERALL RESPONSE WAS 
• Bolstering one's economy/ building up nationalism/ STAY OUT OF WAR

4.) What up with the Munich Conference?

• Great Britain and France - had previous agreement with Czech and Poland to PROTECT THEM FROM GERMANY/INVADERS
• the great betrayal --> Great Britain and France chose to protect themselves and gave Hitler the Green Light to invade Czech. 
• In Sept 1938: Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and France signed the Munich agreement:
• stated that Czech must surrender its border regions and defenses (Sudetenland) to Nazi Germany. 
• *Czechs BE LIKE...
• 
• WHY DID THIS HAPPEN?
• Hitler threatened to unleash FULL ON WORLD WAR unless Sudetenland (area of Czech that contained ethnic German majority) was surrendered to Germany 
• SOOO Britain, France, Italy allowed its annexation in exchange FOR A PLEDGE OF PEACE! .... spoiler alert - Hitler doesn't stay peaceful *cough Poland cough* 
• Poland betrayal in 1919: 
• http://www.worldfuturefund.org/wffmaster/Reading/History/polandbetrayal.htm

5.) Four things You Absolutely NEED TO KNOW: (Chronologically)

• 1.) 1936: Hitler rearming Rhineland and the Saar Valley WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE demilitarized --> going against the Treaty of Versailles
• The remilitarization changed the balance of power in Europe from France towards Germany
• made it possible for Germany to pursue a policy of aggression in Eastern Europe that the demilitarized status of the Rhineland had blocked until then.
• 2.) March 1938: Anschluss (union) : term used to describe the annexation of Austria of 1938 - predates Munich conference 
• joining Austria and Germany - Austria basically absorbed into German custody
• 3.) Sept. 1938: Munich Conference
• 4.) Lebensraum: Additional territory deemed necessary to a nation, especially Nazi Germany; FOR ITS continued existence or economic well-being
• Hitler invades POLAND 
• 
• *Ill be peaceful he said. lets sign this peace treaty HE SAID.* 

6.) LAST THING: GERMAN- SOVIET PACT:

• The German Soviet Pact = Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact
• Signed August 19, 1939 
• Agreement provided that Germany would exchange manufactured goods for Soviet raw materials
• Nazi Germany and Soviets also signed A NONAGGRESSION PACT on Aug 23, 1939 in which each promised to not attack the other
• The Pact's Effects:
• It enabled Germany to attack Poland in Sept 1939 without fear of Soviet intervention
• then When Germany invaded Poland --> Britain and France declared war
• Hungary, Romania, Slovakia joined the Axis alliance in 1940 --> During 1941 Hitler initiated his eastern European allies into plans to INVADE SOVIET UNION (Dude stop breaking pacts)

SORRY BUT GERMANY AND THE SOVIETS MAKING A PACT IS ALMOST AS BAD AS WHEN FREDDY KISSED SAM.