9:Understanding Decolonisation Flashcards
what is decolonisation?
the process by which European empires were dissolved
It was one of the most important developments of the 20th century
Why did the membership of the UN grow so exponentially?
it had 51 member nations in 1945
it had 159 by 1989, because of Asian and African states winning their independence
what country saw itself as an anti colonial power?
the USA
Describe the metropolitan theories of decolonisation
-focused on great European powers
- a decline in European power is seen as the key to understanding the end of empire
describe the peripheral theories of decolonisation
-focused on colonised peoples
-action by non-europeans forces (such as the rise of anti-colonial nationalist movements) are viewed as the key to expanding imperial decline
nationalist movements in Europe before 1918
Ireland- a long tradition of resistance to British rule:
1798,1867,1916-easter rising
Nationalist movements in Asia before 1918
India: 1857’mutiny’: 1885 National Congress Established
China: 1900 Boxer Rebellion & 1911 revolution
Nationalist movements in the East/Middle East before 1918
Turkey: 1899 Committee of Union and Progress established, 1908-9 ‘young turk’ revolution
Iran: 1905-11 constitutional revolution
Emerging conflicting nationilsm either side of WW1-zionism and Arab nationalism
Evidence of imperial decline before 1945
-decline of European global powers, and the emergence of alternatives
-WW1 destroyed colonial empires
-1917-18 anti imperial ideologies emerging
-anti-colonial uprisings in 1920s
what were the anti-imperial ideologies that emerged in 1917-1918?
-Lenin and the Bolsheviks
-Woodrow Wilson and American liberal internationalism
for how long did major European imperial powers manage to hold onto their colonial possessions for?
until 1939
Evidence of empire in the First World War
2 million French African colonial troops served, over 200’000 were killed
where did Empire stand in the inter-war years?
-colonial conquest was largely over, but decolonisation had not begun
-there were new ways of justifying imperialism; ‘trusts’, ‘mandates’, ‘the commonwealth’
How was empire a strength/seen as a strength in the interwar years?
it was a source of men, money, bases and resources
How was empire a vulnerability during the inter-war years?
how could far-flung territories be defended if they were struggling with internal/external challenges at home
Impact of WW2 on the French empire
the fall of France in 1940 had huge implications for colonial rule in Africa, Asia and the Middle East
Britain took away French Syrian territory- they were afraid of Nazi expansion
impact of WW2 on the US role in empire
August 1941:Atlantic Charter
-expressed anti-fascist and anti-imperialist values
-Roosevelt didn’t want to be seen as supporting British imperialism
-self determination key
Impact of the War on Japanese Imperialism
1941-42: Japanese conquests in the name of anti-colonial liberation shattered European supremacy
Fall of Singapore-significant defeat of British power by a non-europeans
-justified it by anti-europeans Colonial liberation language
why did the war have significant economic consequences for India?
-it provided a stimulus for industrialisation
- Indian manufacturers were encouraged to produce chemicals, cars and light tanks
Examples of how changes at the international level was a reason for decolonisation after 1945
-Long term historical trends; the relative decline of European power that WW2 accelerated
-US faith in self determination
-Soviet anti-colonialism
-Anti-colonial principles fundamental in the new UN charter
explain soviet anti-colonialism
Marxist-Leninist theories denounced imperialism as “the highest stage of capitalism”
the relationship between decolonisation and the Cold War
- it did not cause decolonisation, but contributed to the end of European empires
-decolonisation helped shape the Cold War
-newly independent countries were important arenas for conflict between USA and Soviet Union
Examples of how changes at the European national level was a reason for decolonisation after 1945
-ability of European powers to retain colonies diminishing, they were all relatively weaker economically and militarily
-public opinion about the desirability/legitimacy changed
-political elites changed attitudes
-the will to hang on to colonies not as strong after 1945
Examples of how changes at the colonial level was a reason for decolonisation after 1945
Independence wasn’t just granted, colonies had to fight for it
increased nationalist groups and parties and increased willingness to fight for independence
