Decolonization and the Rise of the Third World

Posted on May 21, 2024 in History

Decolonization

Decolonization refers to the political independence of formal colonial territories. This process began in 1945 when many political changes were taking place.

The Causes of Decolonization

  • Weakening of colonial powers: After World War II, colonies realized colonial powers were not invincible. The colonies had contributed to the war with natural resources and troops. It also served them as military training. This led to the emergence of influential leaders pushing for independence.
  • Favorable international anti-colonial climate: The United Nations supported self-determination for all peoples, defending the independence of colonies.
  • Rise of nationalist movements: During colonial occupation, indigenous elites had emerged. These groups of people were anti-European, nationalist, and wanted independence. Pan-Africanism and Pan-Islamism also played a role.
  • Cold War dynamics: The USA and the Soviet Union, the leading world powers during the Cold War, condemned the continuity of the old colonial empires in an attempt to gain world predominance.

The Phases of Decolonization

Decolonization took place mainly between the 1940s and 1980s and it varied from peaceful agreements (British Empire) to violent conflicts (French and Dutch Empires). Although decolonization signified political independence for the colonies, many colonies remained economically dependent on their former colonial powers.

  • 1945-1959: Most of South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East, as well as some African countries.
  • 1960-1970: Most colonies in the African continent as well as Arab countries and other Asian regions.
  • 1971 to the present: The last African colonies and other territories, such as Hong Kong and Macao.

Apartheid in South Africa

Apartheid was a system of racial segregation imposed on the Black majority in South Africa from 1948 until 1994. Black people had separate facilities: buses, schools, beaches, restrooms. They had different job opportunities. Marriages between Black and white people were forbidden.

Colonialism Led to Apartheid

Dutch and British settlers arrived in South Africa, establishing a system of racial discrimination that favored them. White supremacy happened because white South Africans believed they had the duty to “civilize” the Black population. They also wanted to exploit valuable resources like diamonds and gold.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela became a powerful symbol of resistance. He was imprisoned for his anti-apartheid activism until 1990. Negotiations started immediately, and in 1993 apartheid was abolished.

Arab-Israeli Conflict

First Stage (1949)

Palestine, with an Arab majority (Muslim religion), was located in a strategic zone at the end of the Mediterranean Sea, near oil wells and between Asia, Europe, and Africa. It belonged to the British Empire, and during decolonization, this empire, in agreement with the UN, decided to create “the State of Israel” (Jewish religion) in Palestinian territory.

Second Stage (1950-1960)

The Israelis, with help mainly from the USA, displaced the Palestinians to territories like Gaza amidst numerous confrontations and wars. The Palestinians created terrorist groups like Hamas to defend themselves.

Third Stage (1970-2024)

The bloody conflict continues today, localized in the Gaza Strip. International powers, including Spain, are trying to reach an agreement to create two states in peace: Israel and Palestine.

The Third World

A large number of countries that emerged after decolonization, along with some Latin American countries, became known collectively as the Third World.

Characteristics

  • Poverty and social inequality
  • High population growth
  • High external debt
  • Predominance of the primary sector and slow industrial development
  • Political instability

Decolonization of Asia and Oceania

2.1 The Independence of the Indian Subcontinent

Before World War II, there were religious nationalist movements in India. The main two movements were:

  • The Indian National Congress (INC): This was a Hindu nationalist movement inspired by Gandhi’s principle of non-violent resistance.
  • The Muslim League: Led by Ali Jinnah, this movement wanted India to be partitioned into two countries.

In 1947, India ceased to be under British rule and was divided into two independent countries, India and Pakistan.

2.2 Indochina

The French colony of Indochina was occupied by Japan during World War II. When Japan was defeated in 1945, the communist Ho Chi Minh, leader of the League for the Independence of Vietnam, founded the independent Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Indochina was formed by Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

2.3 Indonesia

Indonesia was also occupied by Japan during World War II. After Japan’s defeat, the leader of Indonesia’s nationalist movement, Sukarno, proclaimed Indonesia independent.

2.4 Oceania

Australia and New Zealand gained independence from the British Empire.

The Spanish Civil War and Franco’s Dictatorship

1. The Spanish Civil War

Republicans fought against Nationalists. The rebels or Nationalists, led by Franco, won the war in 1939.

Reasons for Franco’s Ascent

  • The death of other army leaders like Sanjurjo and Mola in two plane accidents.
  • Commanding the Army of Africa.
  • The rapid advance towards Madrid after the airlift thanks to the planes of the Nazis.
  • He channeled aid from Germany and Italy.

Description of Franco

Short stature and high-pitched voice. Military man trained in the Moroccan War. Timid and insensitive, distrustful and prudent, conservative and Catholic. Obsessed with communism and Freemasonry (Freemasonry: a sect formed by an economic elite that intended to control Spain).

2. Characteristics of Franco’s Dictatorship

Following his military victory, Franco established a dictatorship in Spain lasting from 1939 to 1975.

  • Franco assumed all powers: Franco was Head of State, Head of Government, and the leading general. There was no constitution, only a set of laws known as the Fundamental Laws. Franco received the titles of Caudillo de España and Generalísimo de los Ejércitos.
  • FET (Falange Española Tradicionalista): Was the only legal party.
  • Rights and liberties were abolished.
  • All expressions of regional nationalism were banned: The Basque and Catalan Statutes of Autonomy were annulled.
  • Franco’s dictatorship was brutally repressive: Many Republican supporters were executed, imprisoned, or sentenced to hard labor.

Supporters of Francoism

  • The army
  • The Catholic Church
  • Landowners and businesses: The rural bourgeoisie benefited from the abolition of agrarian reform. The industrial bourgeoisie benefited from the absence of trade unions.

3. The Post-War (1939-1950)

La División Azul (Blue Division, WWII)

Spain did not enter World War II. Franco met Hitler in Hendaye, on the Spanish-French border, to negotiate Spain’s participation. Finally, they did not make an agreement, but Franco created the Blue Division.

Campos de Concentración (Concentration Camps)

During the first decades of the dictatorship, more than 200 concentration camps and forced labor camps were opened. They aimed to “cleanse” Spain of Republicans, political dissidents and their families, indigents, independentistas, Moroccans, homosexuals, Jews, gypsies, and common prisoners.

Education by the Catholic Church

Separation of boys and girls. Catholicism was the official state religion; other religions were forbidden.

Autarchy

The regime had a policy of economic self-sufficiency. This policy failed, and the Spanish economy couldn’t meet the needs of the population. The “estraperlo” was the black market where products such as tobacco, alcohol, sugar, and rice were sold.

4. Desarrollismo (1960s and 1970s)

Modernization of the Economy

Rapid economic growth between 1960 and 1973 was caused by a combination of factors:

  • Tourism expanded massively: It became one of the country’s main economic activities (sun and beach). Industry and the service sector also grew.
  • Agriculture was mechanized: This led to an increase in production and a fall in labor costs.
  • Foreign investment was attracted to Spain: By its low salaries and taxes.

Economic Development and the Consumer Society

Economic development favored the creation of the consumer society in Spain and the middle class.

  • New mentality with three related consequences: 1- Loss of influence of Catholic doctrine in society. 2- New habits of social and sexual relationships. 3- Influence of fashions and customs of other countries.
  • Symbol of development and pillar of motorization: SEAT 600 (Sociedad Española Automóviles Turismo)
  • Pop music and discos
  • Television and publicity

Pacts with the USA

: ·the pact of madrid between franco and eisenhower alowed the USA to build air and naval military bases in spain (rota en cadiz and zgz) in exchange 4 economic asistance (fuel and milk)./ Una transicion sin ruptura: -de la muerte de franco a la llegada da adolfo suarez: tras la muerte del general franco, juan carlos I fue proclamado rey de españa y asumió la jefatura del estado. En el discurso de su proclamación, el monarca manifestó su deseo de instaurar en españa u sistema democrático. Le sucedió en la presidencia del gobierno adolfo suarez, que llevó a cabo una serie de reformas que abrieron el camino hacia la implantacion del sistema democrático en españa. Este proceso se desarrolló en una situación muy tensa: ·Existía una grave crisis económica. ·Se intensificaron los atentados terroristas, no solo de ETA, sino también del GRAPO y de grupos de extrema derecha. -Primeras elecciones y política de consenso. Las elecciones de 1977 dieron la victoria a la Unión de Centro Democrático (UCD), liderada por adolfo suarez. Se redactó una Constitución plenamente democrática, que fue aprobada en referéndum en 1978.