Decolonization: Causes, Phases, and Impact on Asia, Africa, and Oceania

Posted on May 21, 2024 in History

Decolonization

Decolonization refers to the political independence of most of the territories that made up the colonial empires. This process began in 1945 when many political changes were taking place.

Causes

  1. Weakening of Colonial Power: After World War II, people in the colonies became aware that the colonial powers were not invincible. As a result, popular leaders emerged who played decisive roles in the process of independence. Financially, the colonies were expensive to run, and the cost to the colonial administrations was not always compensated by the benefits obtained.
  2. Favorable International Anti-Colonial Climate: Based on its principles, the UN defended the right to self-determination of all peoples and called for the independence of the colonies.
  3. Rise of Nationalist Movements: During colonial occupation, an indigenous elite had emerged. These groups of people were anti-European, nationalist, and wanted independence.

Pan-Africanism

Socio-political unity for all African peoples.

Pan-Islamism

Socio-political unity for all Muslims.

Furthermore, the United States of America and the Soviet Union, the leading world powers during the Cold War, condemned the continuity of the old colonial empires.

Phases

Decolonization took place mainly between the 1940s and 1980s and affected millions of people throughout the world.

In some cases, independence was gained relatively peacefully. For example, through agreements between the colony and the colonial power, an example of this was the British Empire. Sometimes, however, independence involved violent conflicts, an example of this was the French Empire. Although decolonization signified political independence for the colonies, in many cases, it didn’t result in a complete breakaway from the colonial power. Instead, new economically dependent relationships were established.

1945-1959

During this phase, most of South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East gained their independence.

1960-1970

Most colonies in the African continent became independent.

1971 to the Present

The last African colonies and other territories, such as Hong Kong, Macao.

Decolonization of Asia and Oceania

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): Founded in 1885, this was a Hindu nationalist movement. The movement’s ideology was based on Gandhi’s principle of non-violent resistance.
  • The Muslim League: This was founded in 1906, and its leader was Ali Jinnah. This movement wanted India to be partitioned into two countries.

The British government proposed a plan for independence that included the partition of India. In 1947, India ceased to be under British rule and was divided into two independent countries: India and Pakistan.

Indochina

Indochina was founded by Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. 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.

Indonesia

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

Oceania

Oceania’s colonies were emancipated later. Australia, New Zealand, and Samoa were independent by the end of the 1960s. The remaining colonies became independent in the 1970s and 1980s.

Decolonization in Africa – Apartheid in South Africa

Apartheid Definition

“Separateness” was a system of racial segregation enforced from 1948 to the early 1990s. It divided South Africa along racial lines, denying fundamental rights to the black majority population.

Segregation in Every Life

  • Living areas
  • Education
  • Public facilities such as beaches, parks, toilets, and job opportunities

Why Apartheid?

  • Colonial Legacy, Dutch Settlers, and Segregation: Dutch settlers arrived in South Africa in the 17th century, establishing a system of racial discrimination that favored themselves.
  • British Colonization: The British takeover in the 19th century solidified racial divisions.
  • Rise of White Supremacy: The white supremacy happened because they believed they had the duty to civilize the black population, and they had economic interests because there were valuable resources like diamonds and gold.

The Fight Against Apartheid

Nelson Mandela became a powerful symbol of resistance, imprisoned for his anti-apartheid activism. In 1990, negotiations began to dismantle apartheid peacefully, and in 1992, it was forbidden.