Decolonization/

Independence

movements in Africa,

Asia, and the Middle

East1920s – 1980s

Overview

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

Decolonization is the term historians have used to describe

this process

What happened?

European withdrawal

Revolutions overthrew Europeans

Non-violent Independence Movements

Causes of Decolonization

Education & information acquired by Asians & Africans.

World Wars

Asians & Africans questioned European superiority

War in the colonies

Nationalism!

Decolonization

Many different African and Asian groups used a variety of ways to gain independence.

RESULTS of Decolonization Regions of the world became

“independent”; new nation-states were born

Problems remained (or were they caused by European imperialism?)

Economic dependency

on the West and other regions of the world.

the indigenous elite often replaced the colonial elite maintaining a large gap between rich and poor.

Tribal, racial, religious differences led to conflicts & wars

INDIAN PARTITION

Civil War in Nigeria Tribal-based

genocide in Rwanda

Civil War in Vietnam