Decolonization After 1945: A Historical Analysis

Decolonization After 1945

The decolonization process unfolded rapidly after 1945, concluding for most territories by 1962. It began in Asia with the independence of British India in 1947 and culminated in Africa with the expulsion of the French in 1962. Two distinct waves can be identified:

• First wave: Occurred at the end of World War II, primarily affecting Asia and ending with the formation of Israel in 1948.
• Second wave: A swift wave of decolonization from the mid-1950s to the 1960s, impacting Africa, particularly North Africa, followed by the independence of Sub-Saharan Africa in the 1960s.

Several factors contributed to this process:

• The weakened state of traditional colonial powers like France and England, who lacked the capacity to maintain their colonies and were gradually replaced by the United States and the USSR.
• The rise of nationalist movements within the colonies.

While the decolonization movement was influenced by the dynamics of World War II, it's crucial to consider the perspective of the colonies, where the process began earlier. A timeline of decolonization can be divided into these phases:

1. Late 19th Century: The emergence of early nationalist movements, often coinciding with proto-nationalist movements.
2. Around World War I: The metropolis sought assistance and involvement from their colonies. This led to increased participation of natives in colonial administration and some economic development, fostering hopes for greater autonomy and economic growth among the colonized. These hopes, however, were largely unmet during the interwar period.
3. Interwar Period and World War II: Frustration grew among colonized populations, intensifying the feeling of being subjugated. This period saw the rise of stronger nationalist sentiments. World War II ultimately provided the decisive push towards emancipation, a rapid and largely unforeseen phenomenon with significant variations across different colonized regions.

Stages of Nationalism in the Colonies

Nationalism in the colonies evolved through distinct stages:

1. Proto-nationalism: Traditional elites resisted Westernization, aiming to preserve or reinvent an indigenous political culture. Morocco and Ethiopia were the only two countries where leaders from this initial phase successfully retained power.
2. Bourgeois Nationalism: This stage resulted from the Western modernization of economies and native societies. Imperialism altered traditional structures, leading to the emergence of middle classes that replaced the old native elites who had collaborated with Western powers. These middle classes experienced rapid social and economic expansion during world conflicts as cities needed their cooperation, leading to the development of industry and commerce. These elites sought political and social recognition to further their development. However, their aspirations were often met with cultural divisions and frustration. They recognized their distance from the popular classes and feared the potential for revolution that independence might bring. Nigeria and Tanganyika are prime examples of this phase.
3. Mass Nationalism: This final phase saw independence achieved through national liberation movements with strong popular support, often accompanied by social demands and a revolutionary character. Newly independent countries faced a dual challenge: economically, their economies were heavily dependent on and structured according to the needs of the former colonial powers, while also navigating an increasingly globalized economy dominated by large multinational corporations. Politically, they had to establish new systems of governance.