Think back to our course introduction & unit 1

Imperialism (acquiring overseas colonies) was empire building

Europeans dominated the world

Raw materials, Markets for manufactured goods, prestige, political/ military power

Many of the events that we have covered changed the imperialism that existed in 1900

Ww1

Treaty of Versailles

World War II

Cold War

Colony: a country or area under the full or partial political control of another country

Sphere of Influence: A territorial area over which political or economic influence is wielded by one nation.

Colonial Dominance: Control exerted by a imperial power over its colonies in such aspects of life as the economy, culture, and politics

During WW2, not only did many Axis and Allied nations lose control of their colonies but the war also reduced their power

The appearance of national resistance movements in the decades after WW2, coupled with the expense of maintaining colonial control, led to the idea that self-determination should occur in many colonies

Self-determination = independence, to decide for themselves what their government should be.

According to the principles of the Atlantic Charter, formulated by FDR & Churchill at their Placentia Bay meeting in August ‘41, self determination would be promoted following the war

How did this Charter conflict with imperialism?

Gone were the days of powerful nations acquiring overseas territories & building empires as we discovered in unit 1. National independence became the focus in many colonies as the days of empire waned

Colonies should become independent & free.....BUT assumptions were made:

New nation states made from colonies should follow American & European models regarding leadership

Western businesses and people should continue to own their property in the former colonies

Independence posed many challenges for the new nations as many included a variety of religious or ethnic groups with no shared past

With much of the best land & wealthiest resources controlled by western imperialists, the new nations found themselves poor & dependent producers of raw materials in a Western-dominated world market

As the Cold War raged in the decades following WW2, both the USA & USSR wanted to influence the newly independent nations

◦ Both countries wanted to promoted their political / economic systems (

democracy & capitalism vs. communism)

◦ The also wanted access to resources & raw materials

Lets review the 3 maps dealing decolonization

Complete any questions you have from this section at this time

5.1.4. Analyze how the following factors led to the decline of colonialism in the post-WW II period:

- premises of the Atlantic Charter

- colonial nationalist movements

- cost of maintaining colonies

- views towards colonialism by the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R.

Following WW2, most of the European colonial powers realized that colonial self government must be granted to their overseas possessions

Reflect on your previous mapping activity.

Independence was a slow process as Europeans wanted to control when it was granted, only when the colonies were ready

Your map work illustrated that the road to independence occurred through peaceful negotiation or through violent resistance & confrontation

The following factors spurred the post WW2 independence movements ◦ The Premise of the Atlantic Charter

◦ Colonial Nationalists Movements

◦ Cost of Maintaining Colonies

◦ Views towards colonialism by the USA & USSR

To help with your understanding of these factors, begin developing your own summaries of these four components

With your background into decolonization firmly established, the focus for the remainder of this unit will to be examine how it played out in different areas of the world

As we examine Egypt, India, and South Africa you will assess / judge the effectiveness of the methods used by Ghandi, Nasser, and Mandela to promote nationalism and independence

One of the areas where decolonization caused great tension for the world in 1956 was in Egypt, home of the Suez Canal

The shipping canal is 171 km (106 miles) long and connects the Mediterranean at Port Said with the Red Sea

Became a major international waterway immediately after it was constructed in 1869

Reduced sailing times between Europe & Asia

By the 1880s, it had become the “British Lifeline”

The British government purchased a substantial share (172,602 shares) in the canal in 1875 and by 1879 they had seized control of Egypt’s finances and took over control of the canal.

1884 the British army occupied Egypt & for the next 54 years, the British controlled Egypt as its protectorate, or a weaker nation that kept its native ruler but was controlled by the imperialist power.

In 1924, Egyptian independence was granted but kept control of the canal

Troops were also placed in the country to defend the canal zone

Between the 1920s – 1950s Islamic Brotherhood appeared a calling for total independence, protection of Islamic values & social reforms

huge inequality

The majority lived in deep poverty

The minority was a small elite groups of wealthy landowners who supported the king

It is with this background that Colonel Abd al-Nasser overthrew the king & took control of the Egyptian government in a coup d’etat

With this background complete, begin working to develop an understanding of this outcome (complete questions)

5.1.3: Given historical documents, explain the cause of the Suez Crisis (a)

Wanted to end British occupation & economic control

Strengthen Egyptian army

Make social reforms

Nasser followed a policy of non-alignment = did not want to side with USA or USSR

USA hoped to contain communism for Mideast by forming an alliance known as the Baghdad Pact

Q2: Nasser opposed for it he saw it as another form of Western imperialism designed to keep Arab nations dependent on the West

Q3: Due to Nasser’s criticism of & refusal to join with other Arab countries in the Baghdad Pact, the USA refused to sell him weapons for the Egyptian military.

As a result, he approached the Czech govt to buy Soviet weapons

Q4: Britain & France saw Nasser as someone who would inflame nationalism & independence movements throughout the mid-east ……NOT GOOD FOR THE WESTERN EMPIRES

Q5: Nationalization: Government take over of businesses and industry from private companies/corporations

Q6:To develop Egypt economically Nasser needed electricity so he secured funded from the World Bank and the USA to construct the Aswan Dam on the Nile river

When Nasser decided to ban Israeli shipping from using the canal in 1956 the USA backED out of the loan

Nasser responded by nationalizing the Suez Canal & planning to that money to complete the dam project & others

Q7: The British and French opposed Nationalization because they didn’t want Nasser to control this waterway

At this time Britain, France, & Israel secretly planned to invade Egypt and overthrow Nasser

Israel was to attack Egypt as part of the ongoing Arab-Israeli dispute.

Britain and France would land troops at the canal zone on the pretence to protect international shipping.

Once there they would take control of the canal, Israel would expand its territory and Nasser would be overthrown.

The conspirators miscalculated world reaction.

USA position ◦ Against the western aggression and pressed its allies to withdraw

troops from the canal area

USSR position ◦ Provided weapons and money to Nasser

The Soviets threatened to launch missiles on Paris and London.

The United States was outraged with France and Britain.

The U.S. introduced a motion at the United Nation calling for Israel to withdraw its troops and for all members to refrain from the use of force.

France and Britain vetoed this motion as well as a Soviet motion that the Soviets and Americans jointly intervene.

The Security Council finally suggested that the matter go before the General Assembly which could not be vetoed. (Uniting for Peace Resolution)

On November 2 an American resolution called for a cease fire and international action to ensure passage through the Suez Canal.

On November 4 Canada’s United Nation representative, Lester Person, proposed the British & French force in the Canal zone be replaced by a peacekeeping force.

The lasting significance of the Suez Crisis was the creation of United Nations peacekeeping forces.

We have already examine Gamal Abdel Nasser

Focus now shifts to India and role played by Ghandi to promote nationalism and independence in that country

second largest population in the world, with over 1.2 billion people

Religions: Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%

Life expectancy is 66.09 years

Considered world’s largest democracy

Now a brief history……..

European interests in India began in 16th century when trading posts & colonies were established there

The British East India Company, began to take control of the country in early 1700s (similar to HBC in Canada)

EIC built forts & maintained an Indian army (SEPOYS)

In 1857 the Sepoy Mutiny occurred (origin…pork & beef fat was alleged used for musket grease….repulsive to both Muslim & Hindu religions)

British army crushes the mutiny ….British government takes complete control….1877 Queen Victoria declared Empress of India

The British occupation lasted nearly a century

The struggle for independence, led by Mohandas Ghandi, lasted from 1916-1947

The movement led by Ghandi was characterized by non-violent civil disobedience

- 10 min video

- Brief assignment

Mandela……South Africa will now be our focus as we close out this unit

Complete the 5.1.5 South Africa / Mandela assignment