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Decolonization Of African Americans After Ww2

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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 …show more content…

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 …show more content…

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

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