Overview

In 1945, 1/3 of the world lived in colonies ruled by Europe. By 1975, almost all of them were independent nations. It was the birth of the modern world map.

Core Idea

Self-Determination: The right of a people to choose their own government. After fighting Hitler for freedom, the Allies couldn’t justify keeping colonies.

Formal Definition (if applicable)

Neocolonialism: Even after political independence, former colonies often remained economically dependent on their former masters.

Intuition

  • Peaceful: India (Gandhi’s non-violent resistance).
  • Violent: Algeria, Vietnam, Kenya. (Wars of liberation).

Examples

  • Partition of India (1947): The British left in a hurry, splitting the country into India (Hindu) and Pakistan (Muslim). Millions died in the chaos.
  • Scramble for Africa: Reversed. Dozens of new countries were born in the 1960s (“The Year of Africa”).
  • Apartheid: The white minority rule in South Africa lasted until 1994.

Common Misconceptions

  • “The Europeans gave them freedom.” (Usually, it was taken or demanded.)
  • “Independence solved everything.” (Colonial borders often ignored ethnic lines, leading to civil wars later, e.g., Rwanda, Nigeria).
  • Third World: Originally meant “Not West (1st) and Not East (2nd).” Now implies poverty.
  • Pan-Africanism: The idea that African nations should unite.

Applications

  • Development Economics: Why are some nations poor? (Legacy of extraction).
  • Migration: People from former colonies moving to the “Mother Country” (Indians to UK, Algerians to France).

Criticism / Limitations

“Flag Independence.” You have a flag and an anthem, but the IMF runs your economy.

Further Reading

  • Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth
  • Said, Orientalism