Question

When did the process of decolonization gain momentum in the 20th century?

• A. During the 17th century
• B. After World War I
• C. After World War II
• D. None of these

Answer 1

Answer:

C. After World War II

Decolonization:

• Decolonization is a historical and political process that unfolded primarily in the mid-20th century when many countries in Africa and Asia achieved independence from their colonial rulers. 

Decolonization & World War II

• The process of decolonization gained significant momentum in the 20th century, especially after World War II 
• World War II had a profound impact on the process of decolonization.
• The war disrupted the colonial powers economically and politically.
• The war exposed the contradictions between the colonial powers' claims of promoting freedom and democracy while suppressing the self-determination of colonized peoples.
• The war also involved significant contributions from colonies, leading to demands for recognition and independence.
• The horrors of the war, including the Holocaust and the widespread destruction, led to a reevaluation of colonialism and imperialism as global norms began to shift toward self-determination and anti-imperialism.

Weakening of Colonial Powers:

• The colonial powers, especially European nations, were weakened both economically and politically after World War II.
• The cost of maintaining far-flung empires became unsustainable.
• Many colonial powers had also suffered significant losses during the war, and their prestige and global influence had diminished.
• The emergence of superpowers like the United States and the Soviet Union further altered the global balance of power and provided support for decolonization efforts.

International Pressure for Self-Determination after the War

• The United Nations, which was founded in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II, played a crucial role in promoting self-determination and decolonization.
• The UN Charter emphasized the principles of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.
• UN resolutions, including Resolution 1514, strongly supported the rights of colonized peoples to determine their own political status.
• The international community, through the UN, began to exert pressure on colonial powers to decolonize.