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Table of Contents
Unit 9 Overview: Cold War and Contemporary Europe
9.1 Context of the Cold War and Contemporary Europe
9.2 Rebuilding Europe After World War II
9.3 The Cold War
9.4 Two Super Powers Emerge
9.5 Postwar Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict, and Atrocities
9.6 Contemporary Western Democracies
9.7 The Fall of Communism
9.8 20th-Century Feminism
9.9 Decolonization
9.10 The European Union
9.11 Migrations within and to Europe Since 1945
9.12 Technological Developments Since 1914
9.13 Globalization
9.14 20th- and 21st-Century Culture, Arts, and Demographic Trends
9.15 Continuity and Change in the 20th and 21st Centuries

🇪🇺ap european history review

9.9 Decolonization

Verified for the 2025 AP European History exam•Citation:

The 20th century witnessed the end of European imperial dominance over large parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. While calls for national self-determination began after World War I, it wasn’t until after World War II—with European nations financially and militarily weakened—that widespread decolonization occurred. The Cold War further accelerated this process, as both the United States and the Soviet Union encouraged the dismantling of old colonial empires, often for their own strategic interests.

The Promise (and Betrayal) of Self-Determination

At the close of World War I, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points emphasized national self-determination—the idea that nations had a right to choose their own governments. However, this principle was applied selectively. Non-European peoples expected freedom but were often denied independence, especially in strategic or economically valuable regions.

⭐ Self-Determination: The principle that a nation has the right to choose its own political status without external influence. After WWI, colonized nations hoped this meant independence, but imperial powers often resisted.

Despite growing nationalist movements across Africa and Asia, colonial empires largely remained intact through the 1920s and 1930s. It would take the devastation of WWII to begin dismantling these systems.

World War II and the Collapse of Empire

After 1945, Europe was no longer capable of maintaining vast colonial holdings:

  • Economic exhaustion made overseas governance unsustainable.
  • Cold War rivalries encouraged new nations to align with either the U.S. or USSR.
  • Anticolonial movements and guerrilla resistance gained momentum, often fueled by returning WWII veterans.
  • Moral pressure from the United Nations and new superpowers made colonization appear outdated and hypocritical.

⭐ Decolonization: The process by which former colonies gained independence from imperial powers. This could occur peacefully through negotiation or violently through revolution and war.

Case Studies in Decolonization

Some empires negotiated peaceful exits; others clung to their colonies, sparking brutal wars. Here's a selection of important decolonization events:

ColonyImperial PowerYear of IndependenceMethod of Decolonization
IndiaUnited Kingdom1947Peaceful transition; Gandhi's movement
PhilippinesUnited States1946Negotiated post-war independence
VietnamFrance1945 (unofficial), 1954 (formal)Armed conflict, First Indochina War
AlgeriaFrance1962Violent revolution, FLN resistance
Democratic Republic of the CongoBelgium1960Sudden withdrawal; instability
GhanaUnited Kingdom1957Peaceful political transition
KenyaUnited Kingdom1963Mau Mau Uprising, violent conflict
Angola / MozambiquePortugal1975War for independence
IndonesiaNetherlands1949Armed resistance (after Japanese withdrawal)

The Role of the Cold War

Decolonization occurred within the broader context of Cold War rivalry:

  • The United States often supported anticommunist regimes, even if they were authoritarian.
  • The Soviet Union backed revolutionary and Marxist independence movements.
  • New nations were often pressured into aligning with one superpower or the other, which sometimes delayed true autonomy.

Challenges Facing New Nations

Although formal imperialism ended, the legacy of colonial rule continued to shape newly independent nations.

Post-Independence Struggles Included:

  • Artificial borders drawn by colonial powers that ignored ethnic, tribal, or religious divisions
  • Economic dependency on former colonial powers
  • Civil wars and coups due to weak institutions
  • Neo-colonialism, where European and American companies retained control over key resources

⭐ Neo-Colonialism: A term describing how former colonial powers continued to exert control through economic, cultural, and political pressures, rather than direct governance.

Conclusion: A Century of Change and Conflict

Decolonization redefined the relationship between Europe and the rest of the world. It dismantled centuries-old empires, inspired national identity movements, and created a new global order. However, independence did not guarantee stability or prosperity—many former colonies continue to grapple with the legacy of imperialism today.

Key Terms to Review (11)

Cold War Tensions: Cold War Tensions refer to the prolonged period of geopolitical conflict, ideological rivalry, and military competition between the United States and the Soviet Union from the end of World War II until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. These tensions were characterized by a struggle for global influence, leading to proxy wars, arms races, and significant political divisions across Europe and other regions, particularly during the decolonization process.
Decolonization: Decolonization is the process by which colonies gain independence from colonial powers, transitioning to self-governance and often leading to significant political, social, and economic changes. This movement emerged prominently in the mid-20th century, fueled by nationalist sentiments, anti-colonial struggles, and the decline of European empires after World War II.
Democratic Republic of the Congo - 1960: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) became an independent nation from Belgium on June 30, 1960, marking a significant event in the wave of decolonization that swept across Africa. The DRC's independence was characterized by immediate political turmoil and challenges, including ethnic tensions, political fragmentation, and the struggle for power among various factions. The events surrounding its independence reflect broader themes of colonial legacy and the complexities faced by newly independent states in their pursuit of stability and self-governance.
Economic Decline: Economic decline refers to a sustained decrease in economic activity, characterized by falling GDP, rising unemployment, and reduced consumer spending. This phenomenon often leads to increased social unrest and can have lasting impacts on political stability and development in affected regions, especially during periods of decolonization and significant global change.
Fourteen Points: The Fourteen Points were a set of principles proposed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in January 1918 as a framework for peace negotiations to end World War I. These points emphasized self-determination, free trade, open diplomacy, and the establishment of the League of Nations to ensure lasting peace, addressing the causes of conflict and aiming to reshape international relations in the post-war world.
Imperialist States: Imperialist states are nations that expand their power and influence beyond their borders through colonization, military force, or economic dominance. These states often sought to control foreign territories for resources, strategic advantages, and the spread of their culture, significantly impacting global politics and economics, especially during the era of decolonization.
India - 1947: India - 1947 marks the year when India gained independence from British colonial rule, leading to the establishment of a sovereign nation. This momentous event is a key milestone in the broader process of decolonization, where many countries in Asia and Africa sought to break free from colonial domination and assert their national identities.
Internal Instability: Internal instability refers to the social, political, and economic turmoil within a nation or region that can lead to conflict, government failure, or significant changes in governance. This concept is crucial in understanding how decolonization processes often faced obstacles, including civil unrest, ethnic tensions, and weak political structures that hindered the establishment of stable independent states.
President Woodrow Wilson: President Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, serving from 1913 to 1921. He is best known for his leadership during World War I and his vision for a post-war peace settlement that emphasized self-determination and international cooperation, notably through the establishment of the League of Nations.
Renaissance: The Renaissance was a cultural, artistic, and intellectual movement that began in Italy during the 14th century and spread throughout Europe, marking the transition from the medieval period to the modern age. This era is characterized by a revival of classical learning, humanism, and innovations in art, science, and literature that significantly transformed European society.
Self-determination: Self-determination is the principle that a group of people has the right to decide their own political status and pursue their own economic, social, and cultural development. This concept is deeply intertwined with issues of national identity, sovereignty, and autonomy, making it a driving force behind movements for independence and reform. It emerged prominently in the early 20th century and has been a critical element in shaping modern nation-states and international relations.
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9.10 The European Union