Part 3

1. Part 3 The Road Towards Independence

2. First Cracks in the Empire • 1920-1930 after WWI • Colonized peoples participate in war effort, expect recognition for their sacrifices • Nationalistmovements gain ground • Population becomes pro-independent • Politically more structured • Most active in India, Indochina, NorthAfrica, Syria and Lebanon

3. Favorable Context • WWII • 1941 – Atlantic Charter written by Roosevelt and Churchill – affirming all nations the right to self determination • By the end of WWII, colonialism seemed to contradict the spirit of the Allies fight against Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy • Over 200,000 Africans had fought in Europe and Asia for the Allies’ freedom and democracy – most noticed the contradiction • Japanese anti-European propaganda during the war • Surge of anti-colonial nationalism after 1945. Leaders used lessons in mass politicization and mass mobilization of 1920’s and 1930’s.

4. New International Context • Superpowers (US & USSR) denounced colonialism • The U.N. supported decolonization • In 1960 the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 1514 that supported the end of colonization • 1961 Decolonization committee created • 1955 Bandung Conference – attended by Third World nations collectively denounce colonization 29 independent countries were present, representing over half the world's population

5. British Decolonization • Progressive and negotiated independence • Only few isolated cases of violence (e.g. Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya) • 1931, Britain: Statute of Westminster • converted the British Empire into the British Commonwealth • allowed varying degrees of autonomy

6. Decolonization à la française • Brazzaville Conference (1944) de Gaulle supports reform policy but rejects idea of independence and autonomy • France seeks to maintain her Empire, way to regain lost glory after WWII • Though limited, the French colonies were given representation in French parliament in the 4th French Republic in 1947 • Despite advantages, most nationalists still sought independence • Violent reaction to Algerian riots in May 1945 and Madagascar in 1947 • 1958 French position evolves - de Gaulle recognizes necessity of decolonization

7. Colonial Wars • Indochina • 1946 France enters a war against the nationalists • Becomes part of the Cold War struggle • U.S. gives financial support to France • USSR and China give military aid to the Vietminh

8. French Defeat & Withdrawal • May 7, 1954, Battle of Dien Bien Phu • French defeated and pull out • In July 1954 Geneva Accords recognize independence of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam

9. India Colonization occurs long before Africa, therefore decolonization begins earlier ¾ Hindu ¼ Muslim

10. Colonial Background of India • British East India Company had trading rights during Mughal Empire • Mughal Empire collapsed in 1757, BEIC took control with Sepoy force • Sepoy Mutiny (Great Rebellion) in 1857 - warning to British government • Queen Victoria’s government took direct control of the Raj in 1857

11. SepoyMutiny1857

12. British India • Upper class Indian bureaucracy given some local power – indirect rule (but British made decisions and passed laws, not Indians) • Began to become a louder voice for self-rule • Indian National Congress Party • Formed in 1885 with British blessing • Forum through which views of educated Indians could be made aware to the British government • Members become alarmed at growing racism of Brits to Indians, realization of shared grievances, and growth of common Indian identity. • New identity in some ways created by British presence

13. 1st Indian National Congress 1885

14. Mohandas Gandhi • Indian middle class background • Appealed to Western-educated and the masses • Sollicitortrained in London • Head of National Indian Party from 1920 • Non-violent protestbased on civil disobedience • Boycotts elections • Boycotts British products, schools, courts • Refuses to pay taxes • Organizesstrikes • Organizes mass demonstrations • Supports Satyagraha or truth force/soul force Video: Gandhi’sNon-Violent Speech

15. Gandhi and Salt March 1930Video extract: Gandhi & Civil Disobedience

16. Steps to India’s Independence pre WWII • London signs the IndiaAct1935 • Givesform of politicalautonomy • 1942 Congress Party launches “Quit India” campaign • Leaders arrested • Massive violence erupts

17. Steps to India’s Independence post WWII • Postwar period, negotiations resume • UK accepts principle of independence • Wants guarantees that country will remain unified and minority (Muslims) rights protected • Bloodbath between Hindus and Muslims • 1946 Great Killing of Calcutta

18. Steps to India’s Independence post WWII • British grant full independence 1947 with partition • Territory divided into 2 nations: India and Pakistan • Extreme violence between communities (300 – 500 thousand deaths, 10-15 million people migrate • Gandhi assasinated by Hinduextremist in 1948

19. Great partition of India and Pakistan 1947 Video: India Pakistan Partition BBC Special 0 – 1’50

20. Jawharlal Nehru • 1929 becomespresident of Congress Party • Fights for total Indianindependence • Becomes Prime Minister of Indiauntilhisdeath in 1964

21. Nation-Building in Africa • Most of African Independence would be achieved well after WWII, but the movements themselves began during the inter-war period

22. Pan-Africanism • In response to war-time promises made to Africans in exchange for their military service which never materialized • to support the cause of African unity against foreign presence • Marcus Garvey • W.E.B. Dubois • Negritude Literary Movement • In 1945, the 5th Pan African Congress met and discussed the prospect of independence – attending were a number of leaders who would eventually lead their nations to independence

23. Decolonization in Africa First wave of 1950-1960 • French protectorates • in North Africa Negotiated Independence • 1956 Morocco and Tunisia independent in • Algeria, completely different story • Sub-Saharan Africa • 1956 France concedes beginning of autonomy • 1958 Referendum (independence or community? ) • 1959-1960 Colonies gain independence

24. UK • in West Africa UK accepts decolonization • West Africans had adopted many elements of western civilization • Early ties allowed more opportunities for education and modernization • Nationalists in West Africa drew from their own history and western influences • Gold Coast (Ghana) independent in 1957 • In Eastern Africa where large white minority, Great Britain reluctant to withdraw • Kenya, Mau Mau rebellion put down 1952

25. Former British colonies in Southern Africa • European minorities impose domination by Whites • 1980 black majority rises to power in South Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)

26. South Africa • Gained independence from Britain in 1910 • White minority dominated political and economic institutions • Educated Africans began organizing movement to gain power • The African National Congress (ANC) tried to reason with government • In 1960, after an African riot, the government instituted strict measures to formally separate the races in South Africa through a system known as apartheid • 1991 apartheid disappears in South Africa • Nelson Mandela elected leader in 1992

27. Algeria – A national liberation war

28. A. Beginnings of the War in Algeria • 1950 considered as integral part of French territory • 1 million Europeans • 9 million Muslim Algerians • Major inequalities between populations • 1954 wave of terrorist attacks • creation of National Liberation Front (FLN), struggle for independence begun • French gov’t immediately sends in military forces

29. FLN unit troops

30. B. Progressive deepening of the Algerian War (1954-1958) • Repression more and more violent • French refusal to acknowledge state of war • “Maintaining the peace” operations • Military action against small number of “fellaghas” and not against Algerians • 1956, military numbers double Fellaghas – Road Bandits Harkis Soldiers

31. 1957 FLN brings war to the city Battle of Algiers • FLN uses blind terrorism; random bombings • French military resorts to frisking, torture, arrests • French Authorities and FLN partisans denounce violence of FLN (against French and Muslim alike)

32. C. De Gaulle puts an end to the war (1958-1962) “Long Live French Algeria!”, June 6th, 1958

33. D. De Gaulle’s Policies towards Algeria • Progressively leads to negotiation • September 1959, recognizes Algerians have a right to self-determination • Partisans of French Algeria and members of Army feel betrayed • Sparks week of rioting in Algiers - January 1960 “the week of the barricades”

34. E. OAS bombings • April 1961, 4 generals attempt a coup d’état to take over the country • OAS (Organization of the Secret Army ) created 1961 • Organizes series of terrorist attacks in France & Algeria

35. F. Independence • March 18, 1962 negotiations with FLN result in the Evian accords • Independence proclaimed July 5, 1962 • 800,000 Europeans flee the country • 25,000 Harkis, treated as traitors, exiled in France

36. Repatriation of French Algerians

37. G. Legacy of Algerian War • Heavy human casualties • National Liberation War but also a Civil War • Public Opinion in France very divided • Long since taboo subject in French education - similar to Vietnam experience for Americans Video: Aljazeerah - Veterans: The French in Algeria 15’30”

38. Reading Assignment - Homework • The Unfinished Nation by Alan Brinkley “Chapter 20 The Imperial Republic”, pp 534-554 • Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe “Chapter 24 The End of the European Empires”, pp. 509-541 • The World Since 1914 by Joe Scott, “Part 8: The End of Empire” (6 pages) (link to be found on blog)