Decolonization Phase After World War II

Introduction

Decolonization is defined as a process wherein colonies become independent. But it is not simply about a colony getting independence from the colonizers. It is more about the ‘cultural, psychological, and economic’ freedom of the natives and indigenous population of a country to achieve sovereignty.

In some areas, decolonization was peaceful and orderly, while in others, it was followed by a protracted revolution. Even the phase that followed decolonization saw the development of stable governments in some countries, and dictatorship, military juntas, and civil wars in others.

How did World War II lead to Decolonization?

Scholars affirm that World War II accelerated the movement towards and the process of decolonization. Commenting on the case of Africa, historian Erin Myrice asserts that the second world war led to decolonization in the sense that it imposed psychological changes which ultimately aided the decolonization of Africa.

The second world war had resulted in the rising of superpowers- the United States and the Soviet Union. Both these superpowers are said to have taken up positions against colonialism. Further, the postwar period saw mass revolutionary movements in different parts of the world. Moreover, the public of Western Europe was now fed up with war and refused any sacrifices to maintain the overseas colonies.

What happens during Decolonization?

Primarily, there are five recognized stages of decolonization −

• The foundation for the decolonization process is set in the first phase of rediscovery and recovery.

• The second phase is seen as a natural outgrowth of the first phase. In the mourning phase, people lament their victimization.

• This is followed by the most crucial phase, wherein the area and the people express a full panorama of possibilities for a new social order. This is the dreaming phase

• The fourth phase is that of commitment, where people combine their voices of the former phase and commit them to a single direction.

• The last phase of action sums up the decolonization process, taken up upon a consensus of commitment of the people.

The major Cause of Decolonization

The major causes of decolonization include −

• World wars

• International pressure

• Independence movements along with religious and ethnic movements

• Imperial dissolution

• Colonial nationalism

The major causes of decolonization after World War 2 include −

• Weakening of colonial empires like Britain and France.

• International pressure posed by the newly established United Nations in 1945 (replacing the League of Nations)

• Strong support for anti-imperialist movements by the superpowers (especially the Soviet Union)

Effects of Decolonization

The immediate effects of decolonization were realised around the world.

• In countries like India, decolonization was a relatively peaceful phenomenon, with which India gained political independence in 1947 and further established a stable government.

• The case was not the same in Vietnam, which achieved independence from France in 1945. The outcome and effect of decolonization here was the outbreak of an international conflict, the Vietnam War of 1955-75.

• For others, decolonization brought formal independence in the area but under the direct control of the military, or, in other cases, indirect neocolonial rule. Such a case was noted in Nicaragua, which gained formal independence from Spain in 1821 but was again occupied between 1912-33 by the U.S.

In general, the effects of decolonization ranged from civil wars to socioeconomic inequalities and, political instability. The establishment of democracy and equality; the creation of the Third World; and the emergence of new nations were the significant effects of decolonization.

Example of decolonization after World War II

Africa

• South Africa − In 1910, South Africa successfully gained independence from Britain. However, it was only nominal and real independence was gain not before 1931.

• Angola − the colony got independence from Portugal in 1975, followed by the fierce Angolan War of Independence from 1961 to 1974.

European colonialism in Africa

Description-European colonialism and colonization was the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over other societies and territories, founding a colony, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Asia

• Burma − present-day Myanmar; it was originally a British colony but was conquered by Japan during World War 2. Burma officially gained independence in 1948.

• Korea − gained independence by the end of World War 2. Korea was colonized not by the European powers, but by Japan in 1910.

Several other countries like Ghana, Tunisia, Jamaica, Vietnam, Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka), etc. were decolonized after World War II. It is recorded that at least 3 dozen of states achieved autonomy in Asia and Africa between 1945 and 1960.

Conclusion

Decolonization is not simply about gaining political independence from colonial rulers. It includes economic and cultural autonomy as well. The phase of decolonization after the Second World War changed the socio-political dynamics in the 20th century. The process continued in many African, Asian, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American countries. The process of decolonization is often escorted with either war, political instability, strife, social and economic inequalities, and the disruption of peace; or with peaceful negotiations and the establishment of a politically stable government.

FAQs

Q1. What led to the decolonization of India?

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi’s successful social movements, the rise of nationalism in India, and the immediate shortcomings faced by the British after the Second World War led to the decolonization of India.

Q2. How does nationalism lead to decolonization?

Ans. Nationalism plays a significant role in the process of decolonization. Without the rise of nationalist feelings among the people of the colony, the stages of decolonization would not come into effect. It is unlikely for a colony to gain independence from the colonial powers without the feeling of nationalism.

Q3. What effect did decolonization have on globalisation?

Ans. With decolonization, the intellectual and political legitimacy of colonial rule ended and so did the hierarchies of race of the colonial order. This enabled the globalisation of politics to shape the present world scenario.