DECOLONIZATION IN ASIA: HISTORY, CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES - HISTORY - 2025

The decolonization of Asia took place mainly between 1945 and 1960, after World War II and the Japanese invasion of the colonies. The Asian secessionist movements grew out of growing nationalist sentiment and rejection of European rule.

In a climate marked by the growing importance of human rights, various nationalist leaders guided the creation of new independent states. In Indonesia, Sukarno led the secessionist movement and became the first president of the Republic.

French Navy commandos enter the Annam coast in July 1950 (Indochina War)

In India, Gandhi and Nehru defended the independence of a single state. At the same time, another movement led by Ali Jinnah defended the separation of India into two territories.

Decolonization was a peaceful episode in some colonies, while in others it developed violently. The process even led to various military conflicts, such as the Indochina War between France and Vietnam.

The decolonization had the support of the United States and the Soviet Union. International institutions, such as the UN, also took a position in favor of the independence of the colonies.

History

During World War II, Japan invaded and occupied the European colonies of Southeast Asia. After the victory of the allies, Japan was forced to leave the territory. The colonies were recovered by the European states.

The war had intensified nationalist sentiment and opposition to colonial Europe in the region. After the war, the Philippines became independent from the United States in 1946.

The British Empire, which after the war lacked the means to confront its colonies, chose to cede political control of its territories, maintaining certain economic advantages.

In 1947, the English part of India split into two, giving rise to India and Pakistan. The division caused violent conflicts between Hindus and Muslims, causing between 200,000 and 1 million victims, as well as intense migratory movements.

Between 1950 and 1961, the French and Portuguese parts of India annexed independent India. On the other hand, Indonesia suffered four years of military and diplomatic clashes. Finally, in 1949, the Netherlands recognized its independence.

As for France, it faced its colonies in the Indochina War (1946 - 1954). In 1954, the Geneva Conferences were held, and Vietnam was divided into North Vietnam and South Vietnam.

France also recognized the independence of Cambodia and Laos, after it was proclaimed in 1953.

Burma and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), meanwhile, became independent from the British Empire in 1948. Also in 1948, Korea, under Japanese rule, was divided into North and South Korea.

Although the most intense stage of decolonization occurred during the post-war period, some Asian states, such as Singapore and the Maldives, achieved independence after 1960.

Other territories experienced even later decolonization. Malaysia, for example, remained under British rule until 1957. Qatar did not achieve independence until 1971, and Hong Kong has been under UK control until 1997.

Prominent figures

During the decolonization process, several were the leaders who led the independence movements:

Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)

One of the leaders of the Congress Party of India, who defended the independence of India as a single state. During World War II, he led a campaign of civil disobedience.

Mohammed Ali Jinnah (1876 - 1948)

Muslim leader who defended the independence of Pakistan. He presided over the Muslim League, a political party in British India that defended the creation of a Muslim and a Hindu state.

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 - 1964)

Another of the leaders of the Congress Party of India. Nehru was the first Prime Minister of independent India, from 1947 to 1964.

Ho Chi Minh (1890 - 1969)

In 1941 he founded Viet Minh, a coalition in favor of the independence of Vietnam. In 1945 he declared independence from France and led the defense against reoccupation. From 1945 until his death in 1969, he was Prime Minister and President of North Vietnam.

Sukarno (1901 - 1970)

He led the independence movement in Indonesia. After proclaiming independence in 1945, he became the first president of the Republic.

Causes

The imperialist expansion had begun at the end of the s. XV. For centuries, European states benefited from the economic exploitation of the colonies. They also clashed with each other to gain and maintain control.

From the beginning, the new colonies resisted European rule. Proof of this is, among others, the Indian Rebellion in 1857.

However, for hundreds of years the technological supremacy of Europe was enough to maintain control of the colonies. Indeed, the great European powers possessed, among others, more advanced medicine, infrastructures and weapons.

Independence movements

During the first half s. In the 20th century, movements of opposition to the dominance of Western Europe and in favor of independence were developed in the region. These movements were based on the ideals of democracy and national sovereignty.

Influence of the League of Nations

After World War I, the League of Nations agreed to guide the colonies toward long-term independence. For practical purposes, the result was that the Allies gained control of the colonies of the defeated states.

Before the end of World War II, several Middle Eastern states, such as Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, achieved independence. It was the beginning of a decolonization process that would spread throughout Asia.

However, at the end of World War II, the European powers were not willing to give up their colonies. They needed them to keep up with the growing power of the US and the Soviet Union. Furthermore, post-war scarcity made them dependent on the valuable natural resources of these territories.

Emergence of human rights

The will for independence was strengthened thanks to the support of international institutions, such as the UN. The growing importance of human rights at the international level also decisively promoted decolonization.

Power support

The support of the new great powers on the international scene, the United States and the Soviet Union, was another of the factors that contributed to strengthening the decolonization process.

Consequences

Decolonization in general, and in particular in the Asian continent, marked a change in international relations between States. In contrast to the colonial model, the independence movements formed a political order of self-governing individual states.

Some of the newly independent territories suffered intense internal conflicts after the end of European rule.

In India, for example, there were massacres of local populations. In Burma, violent clashes took place between communists and separatists.

In 1955, the Bandung Conference was held in Indonesia. Its objective was to consolidate the recently achieved independence of African and Asian states.

At the event, colonialism was condemned and the challenges of the new national sovereignty were examined. It sought to promote collaboration between States, in contrast to colonialism.

References

1. Christie, CJ, 1996. A modern history of South East Asia. Decolonization, nationalism and separatism. London, New York: IB Tauris Publishers.
2. CVCE. The beginnings of decolonization and the emergence of the non-aligned states. Luxembourg: University of Luxembourg. Available at: cvce.eu/en
3. Klose, F., 2014. Decolonization and Revolution. Mainz: Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG). Available at: ieg-ego.eu
4. Muñoz García, FJ, The decolonization of Asia and Africa. The movement of non-aligned countries. Clío 37.Available at: clio.rediris.es
5. Office of the Historian. Decolonization of Asia and Africa, 1945–1960. United States Department of State. Available at: history.state.gov