- Published: January 21, 2022
- Updated: January 21, 2022
- Level: College Admission
- Language: English
- Downloads: 24
Decolonization in Asia and Africa Introduction Recorded history attests the several colonization and decolonization from the early years. Way back from the time of first and Second World War, countries like Great Britain, Germany, France, United States, and Spain had colonized other states and territories. Most of the countries that were colonized especially by the ‘ great powers’ has shown to have remarkable development as to their economy, politics, society and community, culture, and language. However, other countries had been into decolonization. Hence, this paper tries to examine the factors and reasons that led to decolonization of Asia and Africa. Factors that Led to Decolonization The following are the factors that led to decolonization of Africa and Asia: after the World War II struggle to combat the concept of dictatorship, many leaders argued that no country should control another nation; high cost and commitment of holding colonies; and there were nationalist movements among native people seeking for independence. Moreover, the Indians were granted independence freely by Great Britain in 1947; the Government of India Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1935 under which many provincial governments were turned over to the Indian leaders, and suffrage (the right to vote) has increased (“ Decolonization”). Meanwhile, Indian civilizations have impacted SEA societies–home to several ancient civilizations like Angkor and the Sri Vijaya kingdoms. Somehow, decolonization brought economic, social, cultural, and political development to Asia and Africa. Comparison of Ways in Decolonization Following the outbreak of Second World War was the decolonization of Africa and Asia. Decolonization in Africa began between 1950’s and 1960’s. Great Britain, one of the great powers, conquered various territories in the land of Africa and built multiple colonies. Africans were under the colonization of British–who believed that they had the right to colonize Africans and exploit their resources. They further contended that because they had superior weaponry and more technologically advanced than Africans, colonization is favorable (“ Africa: British Colonies”). Africans wanted to have their own government–so they cried for Independence. Several nationalist movements were done by Africans and finally, British granted them independence. The French, on the other hand, had established their numerous colonies in West Africa in early nineteenth century. In addition, what the French did in order to gain more economic benefits on the land of Africa was that, they acquire more lands to build their colonies and cultivate it to increase productivity. Their colonies in Africa include Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea etc. The growing nationalism and the move towards independence among Africans led to their decolonization. However, after the wake of Second World War, Africans were starting to feel dissatisfied to the colonial system of French leaders. At that time, the growing calls for liberty had increases, so the French made reforms–the Brazzaville Conference of 1994 and the new Constitution in France surprisingly give heed to African calls. The reasons and ways of French colonizers were almost the same when compared to British ways. Both gave heed to the calls of colonized countries–the need for independence and established government (“ French in West”). References “ Africa: British Colonies- History of British Colonial Rule in Africa, Precolonial Racial and Ethnic Relations in British Colonial Africa.” Net Industries and its Licensors. Net Industries and its Licensors, n. d. Web. 05 May. 2011. . ” Decolonization.” Encyclop? dia Britannica Online. Encyclop? dia Britannica, 2011. Web. 05 May. 2011. . “ French in the West Africa.” University of Pennsylvania. University of Pennsylvania, n. d. Web. 5 May 2011. .