Decolonization, process by which colonies become independent of the colonizing country. Decolonization was gradual and peaceful for some British colonies largely settled by expatriates but violent for others, where native rebellions were energized by nationalism.

Frantz Fanon (1925—1961) It is Fanon’s expansive conception of humanity and his decision to craft the moral core of decolonization theory as a commitment to the individual human dignity of each member of populations typically dismissed as “the masses” that stands as his enduring legacy.

Factors that led to decolonization: After World War II, European countries lacked the wealth and political support necessary to suppress far-away revolts. They could not oppose the new superpowers the U.S. and the Soviet Union’s stands against colonialism. Strong independence movements in colonies.

Between 1945 and 1960, three dozen new states in Asia and Africa achieved autonomy or outright independence from their European colonial rulers.

Great Britain’s Thirteen North American colonies were the first colonies to break from their colonial motherland by declaring independence as the United States of America in 1776, and being recognized as an independent nation by France in 1778 and Britain in 1783.

In terms of historical context, “decolonization” is most commonly used to refer to the transition from a world of colonial empires to a world of nation-states in the years following World War II.

Following World War II, rapid decolonisation swept across the continent of Africa as many territories gained their independence from European colonisation. Consumed with post-war debt, European powers were no longer able to afford the resources needed to maintain control of their African colonies.

Combined with the tensions which had emerged on the home-front throughout the war, Nigeria pushed significantly for the principles of self-determination following the war. Like many nations following the end of WWII, wartime experiences inspired the population to campaign for independence.

More than a million African soldiers fought for colonial powers in World War II. From 1939 hundreds of thousands of West African soldiers were sent to the front in Europe. Countless men from the British colonies had to serve as bearers and in other non-combatant roles.

125,000 African Americans

The South African invasion of German South West Africa (GSWA) in September 1914 was specifically aimed at securing several strategic British war objectives. The invasion was the first time that the Union Defence Force (UDF) was deployed operationally in the event of war.

Smuts then became the prime minister, and South Africa declared war on Germany. South Africa made significant contributions to the Allied war effort. Some 135,000 white South Africans fought in the East and North African and Italian campaigns, and 70,000 Blacks and Coloureds served as labourers and transport drivers.

South Africa then joined the war on the Allies’ side, and fought major battles in North Africa, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Italy.

The Boer War

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