8.5 Decolonization

Why empires crumbled

After WWII, European powers were economically drained and militarily weakened, making it harder to hold colonies. Nationalist movements, inspired by Enlightenment ideals, self-determination rhetoric from WWI/WWII, and earlier independence movements, gained momentum. The United Nations and both Cold War superpowers (opposed to old-style colonialism) also pressured empires to grant independence.

Paths to independence: violent vs. nonviolent

Some colonies won independence through armed struggle, like Algeria's brutal war against France (1954-1962) and Vietnam's fight against France then the US. Others used nonviolent resistance, like India's independence movement led by Gandhi using civil disobedience, boycotts, and noncooperation against Britain, achieved in 1947.

Challenges after independence

New nations faced artificial borders drawn by colonizers that ignored ethnic/religious lines, causing conflict (e.g., India-Pakistan partition, Rwanda). Many struggled with weak economies still tied to former colonizers (neocolonialism), political instability, and Cold War superpowers competing for influence, sometimes fueling civil wars or backing authoritarian leaders.

Key terms

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from European imperial powers, mainly after WWII.

Gandhi's methods

Civil disobedience, boycotts, and nonviolent noncooperation used to win India's independence from Britain (1947).

Algerian War of Independence

A violent conflict (1954-1962) in which Algeria fought France for independence.

Neocolonialism

Continued economic and political influence of former colonial powers over independent nations.

Artificial borders

Colonial-era boundaries that ignored ethnic/religious divisions, causing conflict after independence (e.g., India-Pakistan, Rwanda).

Try an AP-style question

India gained independence in 1947 largely through…

1. a Soviet invasion
2. armed revolution alone
3. Gandhi-led nonviolent resistance
4. British generosity only