Decolonization

Quick Facts: Who was Decolonization?

Subject:

Decolonization

Known for:

The process of ending political, economic, and cultural control by imperial powers.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Decolonization is the ending of colonialism, the latter being the process whereby imperial nations establish and dominate foreign territories, often overseas. The meanings and applications of the term are disputed. Some scholars of decolonization focus especially on independence movements in the colonies and the collapse of global colonial empires. As a movement to establish independence for colonized territories from their respective metropoles, decolonization began in 1775 with the American Revolution in North America against the British Empire. The Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century saw the French colonial empire, the Spanish Empire, and Portugal face decolonization with the Haitian Revolution, the Spanish American wars of independence, and the independence of Brazil from Portugal.

Career & Major Achievements

A major wave of decolonization occurred in the aftermath of the First World War, including in the United States and the Empire of Japan. Another wave of decolonization occurred after the Second World War, and many countries gained their independence in the following years. The last wave of decolonization occurred after the Cold War with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the independence of Palau, and the handovers of Hong Kong and Macau. Seventeen territories remain under the United Nations classification of non-self-governing territories. According to David Strang, decolonization is achieved through the attainment of sovereign statehood with de jure recognition by the international community or through full incorporation into an existing sovereign state.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The United Nations (UN) states that the fundamental right to self-determination is the core requirement for decolonization, and that this right can be exercised with or without political independence. A UN General Assembly Resolution in 1960 characterised colonial foreign rule as a violation of human rights. In states that have won independence, Indigenous people living under settler colonialism continue to make demands for decolonization and self-determination. Although discussions of hegemony and power, central to the concept of decolonization, can be found as early as the writings of Thucydides, there have been several particularly active periods of decolonization in modern times. These include the decolonization of Africa, the breakup of the Spanish Empire in the 19th century; of the German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian Empires following World War I; of the British, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Belgian, Italian, and Japanese Empires following World War II; and of the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1775: 1775 Milestone — As a movement to establish independence for colonized territories from their respective metropoles, decolonization began in 1775 with the American Revolution in North America against the British Empire.
2. 1960: 1960 Milestone — A UN General Assembly Resolution in 1960 characterised colonial foreign rule as a violation of human rights.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Decolonization

True or False: “Did the American Revolution mark the very first instance of decolonization?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text explicitly states that decolonization began in 1775 with the American Revolution against the British Empire.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• André-Marie Ampère — Historical peer (Born in 1775) (1775): Founder of classical electromagnetism; inventor of the solenoid and electrical telegraph.
• Bahadur Shah Zafar — Historical peer (Born in 1775) (1775): The last Mughal Emperor of India and renowned Urdu poet.
• Abdel Fattah al-Burhan — Historical peer (Born in 1960) (1960): Sudanese military officer and leader who assumed control of Sudan in 2019.
• Adam Clayton — Historical peer (Born in 1960) (1960): Irish-English bassist and founding member of the globally renowned rock band U2.

Frequently Asked Questions about Decolonization