European decolonisation after the World War Two.

European decolonisation after the World War Two

Background of European colonisation:

European colonisation started since European Powers navigated and explored around the world in 15th century.
European Powers colonized on every continents.
The pace of European colonisation went faster after the Industrial Revolution, because of advance in technology of European Powers and their higher desire for colonies.
At the early 20th century, over 10000000square miles and 150million population were under colonial rule.

Why European Powers established colonial empire?

Rise of imperialism – European Powers seek for colonies in the object of imperialistic power expansion.
External trade – After the Industrial Revolution, productivity of European countries increased sharply that local consumption wasn’t adequate to absorb it. European Powers captured colonies and exported goods to colonies in order to solve the problem of excess productivity.
Source of material and natural resources – Large amount of material and natural resources were needed by European powers for economic use and also support their military force.
Sign of hegemony – Colonies were also a sign of hegemony, national glory, power and strength.

Major colonial states in Europe before the World War Two:

Britain – colonized India, Malaya, Pakistan, Burma, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Hongkong, Gibraltar, Ski Lanka, etc.
France – colonized Algeria, Vietnam etc.
Portugal – colonized Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Angola, Macau etc.
Spain – colonized Sahara, Guinea etc.
Belgium – colonized Congo, Zaire etc.

Collapse of colonial Empires

European countries forgone most of their colonies within few decades after World War Two.

Summary of European decolonisation:

British decolonisation:

Major colonial states in Europe before the World War Two:

Britain – colonized India, Malaya, Pakistan, Burma, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Hongkong, Gibraltar, Ski Lanka, etc.
France – colonized Algeria, Vietnam etc.
Portugal – colonized Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Angola, Macau etc.
Spain – colonized Sahara, Guinea etc.
Belgium – colonized Congo, Zaire etc.

Collapse of colonial Empires

European countries forgone most of their colonies within few decades after World War Two.

Summary of European decolonisation:

British decolonisation:

French decolonisation:

Portugal decolonisation:

Spain decolonisation:

Belgium decolonisation:

Reasons for European decolonisation after World War Two:

Promotion of free-trade means colonies no longer needed for exporting excess productivity.
Huge amount of money were needed to maintain colonies. Keep colonies heavier the financial burden of European colonial countries or even harmed to local economy.
Large amount of money was needed for re-construction of Europe after World War Two. No excess money can be spent for colonies.
Decolonisation made Europe richer.

Most tradition European Powers lost their hegemonic power and weakened after the First and Second World War. Keep huge amount of colonies became meaningless to them.
Armed uprising against colonize occurred in some colonies. Since European countries had suffered a huge live lost in World War Two. They’d rather let them independent instead of send troops and got into war again.
Some colonies lost their strategic value.

Strength of a nation no longer determined by how much colonies it occupied but determined by it’s economic influence.

Rise of human-right and desire of self-determination stimulated European colonies demand for independent.
Armed struggle again colonialism.
Protests of colonies made them more difficult to rule and maintain.
Protests of colonies increased domestic and also international pressure.

Establish of United Nation enhanced the emphasize of equality among countries and international cooperate. Growing influence of ex-colonies in UN.
Europe lost their leading position in the world. Instead, USA and USSR became 2 Superpowers after World War Two. Both of these 2 post-war Superpowers opposed colonialism.