Decolonization refers to the contrary of colonialism, the establishment of an independent country from governance or authority by another country. The term primarily refers to the attainment of independence by the various Western colonies in Asia and Africa following World War II. This notably progressive period of decolonization occurred from 1945 to 1960. Colonies were able to accomplish decolonization through different processes. There were many key factors that played a huge role in the changing relationship between Europe and the world after WWII. Three reasons were the colonized people hunger for independence, the second World War itself demonstrated the changing views on European superiority and the growth of nationalism.
Ho Chi Minh
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From World War I most upper class Africans remained supportive to their colonial rulers mainly the British. Most Europeans gave the rights of local authority to traditional African rulers as a trade-off for the Europeans to use their their lands for men and resources. After the horrors of a second world war the colonies had changed their perspectives on their colonizers. The war disrupted colonial life due to the recruitment of soldiers and the thousands who lost their lives. A shortage of laborers and the interruption of export crops further weakened the economy. The failure of Europeans after the war to keep promises of further reform led to the desire for the colonies to be free from their European rulers.
The story of race began in the era of imperialism. European nations began to extend and influence their own power on their conquered territory. The former continents they conquered on were Africa and Asia and were filled with people different from their own selves. Mainly the whites believed themselves to be the only race or they believed themselves to be the superior race. It was a devastating change and one that would have profound effect on the rest of the world. As time passed the belief of racism has shifted to adapt to the changing times but its main convention remains the
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The years immediately following World War 2 were a time when racism was still accepted to have a scientific basis. The purpose of UNESCO was to modify a successful post-fascist world order where constitutional politics are used. Their antiracist statement “The Race Question” published in 1950, is as follows: "The biological fact of race and the myth of 'race' should be distinguished. For all practical social purposes 'race' is not so much a biological phenomenon as a social myth. The myth of 'race' has created an enormous amount of human and social damage.” (First Afro-Asian Congress, 62) The statement separates the biological fact from its social myth stating that all humans belong to the same species and the social myth that is perceived is that humans with different appearances are inhumane. It shows people are discriminated due to a scientific basis. In support of the struggle against race, prejudice was included. Appearance is part of genetic inheritance and it was stated that it had no bearing on mental or cultural competencies and capabilities. Contrarily, the social myth of race was look upon as extremely dangerous in that it showed cultural differences as biological. This myth had to be referred as a social or cultural classifier and classified ethnicity on a supremacist hierarchy which did not
After an elite revolution involving the advance of new technology and economy, global changes occurred. Capitalism, socialism, and nationalism were very popular before the fall of Africa, and before imperialism. With these ideas in mind, motivations like: the military, politics, demographic features, economics, and social classes had influence for the future of Africa and countries like Europe, Germany, and Russia were more powerful than Africa. Imperialism shaped when borders were opened, and authority was limited. A nation that is thriving on foreign trade and control outside its borders is more likely to imperialize. Europe’s acquisition towards African colonies in 1880 to 1914 included actions like the spread of religion , Africa’s lost
The process of decolonization proved to have its own struggles within those who were seeking their independence from imperialist powers. Evidently, these nationalist movements were different in many regions, but they generally shared the sentiment that “Westernization” had taken something away from them. This proved to be the case in Africa and Asia, where the colonization movement from imperialist powers was of strong presence, and that had trouble weakening during and after the Cold War. Part of this struggle was due to the forms of government that were imposed, and because many of these colonies had been in this position for such long time that they were not able to predict upcoming conflicts after their independence. However, in many cases, the problems were more complicated and often implied a combination of reaction to westernization and internal conflicts. Undoubtedly,
Racism is the belief centralized in the idea that a certain race is considered to be superior or inferior to another. It is a belief that labels a person’s worth, social, and moral traits based on his/her inherent nationality or biological features (Anti-Defamation League). This mentality has been around for centuries and still exists today. There are several theories about how such came about and why it continues to thrive. Racism can only be thoroughly studied by tracing its roots and history. Knowing the relevant events prior to and after the peak of a racist manifestation in the society during a certain period of time is one of the keys in understanding the nature of racism. It is important to note that the attempt to understand the nature of racism is not necessarily equivalent to the attempt to justify it. The main purpose of racism studies should be directed towards the attempt to lessen, if not eradicate such mentality. The Holocaust, the infamous racist manifestation which took place in Germany is a great example of what happens when racism is not stopped or prevented. Taking such infamous racist events in history under an extensive look, reveals some of the major arguments/concepts/causes of racism that could lead to understanding racism as a whole and thereby help address this issue in the modern-day society. Extreme ethnocentrism, rivalry for supremacy, and people lacking information are some of the causes of racism deemed to be important in studying
When we hear the word "race" we're more than likely inclined to automatically think of the color of someone's skin. Though this isn't entirely inappropriate, there is so much more to race than that. Sociologists say that race is a social construction created in society, meaning it's basically a set of "stories" we tell ourselves and hear overtime to make sense of the world. Since we hear these stories over and over again, we act on them, ultimately making them true. This can be said of many aspects of culture and society, however, it seems to happen with race without our realization.
In the years leading to full decolonization, both Asian and African nations achieved independence during the mid-20th century. With the help of peace and violence, these nations became decolonized.
European imperialism started as a source for raw materials and a way to gain advantages over their rival countries (Spielvogel and McTighe 226). Yet, the African countries being imperialized were impacted by this settlement in many positive ways (Spielvogel and McTighe 231). Europeans brought ideas of Westernization and influenced the societies that were not yet industrialized and ones that lacked the modern elements many European countries had acquired (Spielvogel and McTighe 235). Through the spread of western ideals and democracy, the people of Africa were inspired to pursue their own self-rule and continuation of the modernization that the European imperialists left behind on the continent. When European nations first imperialized the African
This time in the post World War II era, many African Americans had began to become a more urbanized center of population, around 1970. (Inmotionaame, pg. 1) The regular population included about 70 percent of just the natural population to live in more urbanized cities. (Inmotionaame, pg. 1) Soon African Americans dominated, having 80 percent of their community to live and take the same benefits in more urbanized centers of the Unites States. (Inmotionaame, pg. 2) Only about 53 percent of African Americans and others who seemed to migrate stayed in the same area around the South. (Inmotionaame, pg. 2)
In the discussion of African-Americans, one controversial issue has been a debate over their depiction following the Civil War, and subsequent Reconstruction as federal aid, which help them secure their civil rights disappeared. One the one hand, some historians argue that the era was not document and assumed that African-Americans accumulated well, in particular former slaves in the South. Resolved and seemingly nonexistent, the contentious issue of slavery in combination with the passage of a slew of law that secured rights African-Americans. In their minds, what could possibly be a bigger issue to close? On the other hand, numerous historians point out the uncertainty of the era raises several essential questions. What happened to freed
Decolonization is the undoing of colonialism, where a nation establishes and maintains its domination over dependent territories. In the words of Fanon, in the reading The Wretched of the Earth, “National liberation, national reawakening, restoration of the nation to the people or Commonwealth, whatever the name used, whatever the latest expression, decolonization is always a violent event.” (Fanon, 1). Frantz Fanon was one of many authors who supported decolonization struggles occurring after World War II. He breaks down decolonization into two senses: one being the physical act of freeing a territory from external control of a colonizer, and the other being the psychological act of freeing the consciousness of the native from the alienation caused by colonization. Fanon particularly advocated that violence was justified by overthrowing colonial oppression. In his reading, The Wretched of the Earth, Fanon wrote on why and how colonialism must be stopped. Fanon argued that the colonial infrastructure must be destroyed. “Decolonization, which sets out to change the order of the world, is clearly an agenda for total disorder. But it cannot be accomplished by the wave of a magic wand, a natural cataclysm, or a gentleman’s agreement. Decolonization, we know, is an historical process: In other words, it can only be understood, it can only find its significance and become self coherent insofar as we can discern the history-making movement which gives it form and substance,”
The New Imperialism during the 19th century throughout Africa and Asia was an influential prompt to the rise of colonialism and powerful European empires. Consisting of raw materials, markets for European business, and provided resources made the African and Asian colonies extremely ingenious for European empires. However, as the 20th century emerged, imperialism suddenly faded and became a sentiment of the past. Surely even one of the most influential empires at a certain point in time – Britain, gradually came at ease with dropping its imperial rule over some colonies. Likewise, following gory and extensive battles, a parallel approach was taken by France. Nevertheless, the utmost spark to the 20th century decolonization was primarily
Although race does not exist in the world in an objective way, it still is relevant in today’s society. It is obvious that race is real in society and it affects the way we view others as well as ourselves. Race is a social construct that is produced by the superior race and their power to regulate. “The category of ‘white’ was subject to challenges brought about by the influx of diverse groups who were not of the same Anglo-Saxonstock as the founding immigrants” (Omi and Winant 24). Frankly, ‘white’ was the norm, the others were considered an outcast.
Racism is a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others. This trend has been around for a long time, from slaves, to discrimination, etc. Although in many cases, people in the time period
Race is a subject that dominates our culture, our history, our elections and our lives. Without it life would never be the same. Although some believe that racism (to an extent) doesn't exist anymore. However, they are wrong. The same racism that is shown through Karl Linder and George Murchison in A Raisin in the Sun- is still shown today- in our world in things such as: the travel ban/Muslim ban, and behind the scenes in soccer.
This on a certain level, caused for many Africans change their perspectives and to decrease their fear towards their colonial authorities that over time, had being representing themselves as being superior to Africans and the authority of the continent. Consequently, Africa started to develop small groups of well-educated leaders, many the beneficiaries of scholarships from the USA and the USSR. During the 1950’s these leaders came home to Africa and immediately began looking for ways to gaining independence, so they would organize African citizens into political movements and so on and so forth.
What effect has decolonization brought? The decolonized nations cope with their own course of action on all fronts - economic, social, political and cultural. Even as they struggle to rid themselves of the shackles of the erstwhile influences, they try to regain touch with their ‘golden past’ and also believe in a brighter future. With centuries of economic exploitation to undo, it does seem to be a daunting task. However, colonial theorists like Frantz Fanon believe that the colony regaining its place in the order, returning to its hierarchic origin is but inevitable.