Independence movements in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East 1920s – 1980s

Overview By the mid-20 th century, many colonies in Africa, Asia and the Middle East had “freed” themselves from European dominance. Decolonization is the term historians have used to describe this process

By the mid-20 th century, many colonies in Africa, Asia and the Middle East had “freed” themselves from European dominance.

Decolonization is the term historians have used to describe this process

What happened? European withdrawal Revolutions Non-violent Independence Movements National and regional political struggles

European withdrawal

Revolutions

Non-violent Independence Movements

National and regional political struggles

Causes of Decolonization What forces led to the end of European colonial empires? Education and information acquired by Asians and Africans. “ Lessons” on equality, democracy, revolution, government, natural rights, etc. caused people to take action for freedom.

What forces led to the end of European colonial empires?

Education and information acquired by Asians and Africans.

“ Lessons” on equality, democracy, revolution, government, natural rights, etc. caused people to take action for freedom.

Causes of Decolonization World Wars Asians and Africans questioned European “progress” The winners of both wars talked of freedom . . . Some acted on it. Nationalism!

World Wars

Asians and Africans questioned European “progress”

The winners of both wars talked of freedom . . . Some acted on it.

Nationalism!

Decolonization The many differing African and Asian groups used a variety of elements in their efforts to gain independence. Some of these include . . . Nationalism Military force / violence Mass demonstrations Economic boycotts Government representation and democratic processes

The many differing African and Asian groups used a variety of elements in their efforts to gain independence. Some of these include . . .

Nationalism

Military force / violence

Mass demonstrations

Economic boycotts

Government representation and democratic processes

Decolonization Indigenous religious beliefs & symbols The wealth and power of the African and Asian middle and upper class.

Indigenous religious beliefs & symbols

The wealth and power of the African and Asian middle and upper class.

Most historians argue that slavery ended in the 19 th century because of industrialization (slavery wasn’t “needed” anymore in an industrial economy). Did decolonization take place simply because Western Europeans didn’t NEED their African and Asian territories anymore?

Most historians argue that slavery ended in the 19 th century because of industrialization (slavery wasn’t “needed” anymore in an industrial economy).

Did decolonization take place simply because Western Europeans didn’t NEED their African and Asian territories anymore?

RESULTS of Decolonization Were mixed Problems remained Economic Dependency Little industrialization Poverty Tribal, racial, religious differences

Were mixed

Problems remained

Economic Dependency

Little industrialization

Poverty

Tribal, racial, religious differences

Decolonization in India Nationalist protests and revolutionary activities led to repression by British officials in the 19 th anc 20 th centuries. World Wars and broken promises by the British led to a greater desire for Independence as Hindu-Muslim splits became more pronounced. 1947 – India was granted independence by the British.

Nationalist protests and revolutionary activities led to repression by British officials in the 19 th anc 20 th centuries.

World Wars and broken promises by the British led to a greater desire for Independence as Hindu-Muslim splits became more pronounced.

1947 – India was granted independence by the British.

Pre-WWI: Middle East

BRITISH WHEELINGS AND DEALINGS FRENCH: SYKES-PICOT TREATY HOW FR. & UK WILL DIVIDE UP M.E. AFTER WAR WHAT ABOUT INDEPENDENCE? RUSSIA TO BE CONSULTED EXCEPT AFTER 1917 - WILL NOT WORK WITH BOLSHEVIKS

FRENCH:

SYKES-PICOT TREATY

HOW FR. & UK WILL DIVIDE UP M.E. AFTER WAR

WHAT ABOUT INDEPENDENCE?

RUSSIA TO BE CONSULTED

EXCEPT AFTER 1917 - WILL NOT WORK WITH BOLSHEVIKS

END OF WWI Arab regions expect British to hold to word USSR leaks Sykes-Picot - MISTRUST!

Arab regions expect British to hold to word

USSR leaks Sykes-Picot - MISTRUST!

Treaty of Versailles League of Nations Mandate System UK, France administer regions until they’re “Ready” for independence How is this different from a colony?

League of Nations

Mandate System

UK, France administer regions until they’re “Ready” for independence

How is this different from a colony?

Mandate System

Mandate System UK- Mandates of: Mesopotamia (Iraq) Install puppet king Establish 75-year-long oil concession

UK- Mandates of:

Mesopotamia (Iraq)

Install puppet king

Establish 75-year-long oil concession

Turkey - Treaty of Lausanne, 1923 Set boundaries between Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria Turkey recognized as successor to Ottoman Empire, with capital at Ankara (no longer Istanbul)

Set boundaries between Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria

Turkey recognized as successor to Ottoman Empire, with capital at Ankara (no longer Istanbul)

Middle East Between World Wars

Middle East and WWII Location/Resources: Oil! ME countries felt burned by French and British Germans offered full independence if they supported Axis cause Some political and religious leaders supported Germans in order to attain independence from British, French

Location/Resources: Oil!

ME countries felt burned by French and British

Germans offered full independence if they supported Axis cause

Some political and religious leaders supported Germans in order to attain independence from British, French

Post-War Middle East Israel/Palestine: Country of Israel declared by United Nations, 1948 Question on Palestinian rights, boundaries And, access to things like water and farmland 1920: 20 Arab Palestinian to 1 Jew 1947: 2 to 1

Israel/Palestine:

Country of Israel declared by United Nations, 1948

Question on Palestinian rights, boundaries

And, access to things like water and farmland

1920: 20 Arab Palestinian to 1 Jew

1947: 2 to 1

Peel Partition Plan, 1937

UN Partition Plan, 1947

Israel Today

Decolonization

Decolonization

Independence Two major methods in Africa: Negotiated Independence : Long or short term deal between European power and African colony Incomplete Decolonization : White settler minority population given political power over black majority

Two major methods in Africa:

Negotiated Independence : Long or short term deal between European power and African colony Incomplete Decolonization : White settler minority population given political power over black majority

Results of Decolonization Elites gained power Initial political parties reflected ethnic, regional, or religious groups

Elites gained power

Initial political parties reflected ethnic, regional, or religious groups

Results of Decolonization Power was often gained by corrupt African “strongmen” (dictators) who ignored the social needs of people Economic dependency continued.

Power was often gained by corrupt African “strongmen” (dictators) who ignored the social needs of people

Economic dependency continued.

South Africa- The Exception White minority gained independence in 1910 In 1948 the government enacted an extreme form of racial segregation called apartheid The African National Congress (ANC) opposed the measures

White minority gained independence in 1910

In 1948 the government enacted an extreme form of racial segregation called apartheid

The African National Congress (ANC) opposed the measures

South Africa- The Exception Nelson Mandela sentenced to life in prison for ANC actions 1980’s apartheid finally ended as black majority gained power. Mandela became the first African president

Nelson Mandela sentenced to life in prison for ANC actions

1980’s apartheid finally ended as black majority gained power.

Mandela became the first African president