Decolonization

World in 1914

Late 19th century views

White Man’s Burden

Civilizing Mission

American Take

“Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism”

Written by Russian Marxist V. I. Lenin

Finance capital, Labor, Production– British in Malaya and

India– British in Grenada– Belgians and Germans in

Africa

From 19th Century: Questions on Colonial Identity

Exploiting tribal/Ethnic tension

Invention of ethnic groups– Assumption that rest of the

World is similar to Europe

Colonial Dress– Turbans vs hats– Walking Stick

Aftermath of WWII

• European Weakness and arrogance• Growing consciousness in the colonies

• Decolonization – achieving independence for nations up until a certain point controlled by European powers

Problems

• European administrative boundaries do not work with out the Europeans, but managed to destroy pre-colonial systems (based upon language, religion and ethnicity)

• Rivalry and discord among the de-colonized• The two new “empires”

Two Different Paths, Part Duex

• British: India, Malaya, Northern Colonies in Africa

• French: Indochina, Algeria

• Dutch: East Indies

India• Religious rivalries• English irresponsibility

East Asia

• Maoist Revolution: pros and cons

• Korea• Indochina• Is imperialism really over?

African Mess• European nations hold on

to Africa as long as possible• Problem with Map lines• Ethnic empowerment turns

deadly– Congo– Rwanda

• Portugal: first to have African Colonies, last to leave– Mozambique

Timeline for African Decolonization; note Namibia received independence from South Africa, not Europe

Success?

• United Nations appears to function – UN document: can it work?

• Are the countries really free?