Decolonization Various Interpretations
 Decolonization is the historical circumstances that
led to transfer of power to Africans,
 John Hargreaves had 2 views (1)was a European initiative -depression, world
wars (2) international pressure made colonies
undesirable
 Argument: decolonization involved negotiation
and military action both French & British were
unwilling to leave. War in Libya- Spain had to
fight, France had to fight in Algeria, British
showdown in Kenya & Zimbabwe
 Portuguese faced off with nationalist in Angola,
Anthony low
 Asian mirror-decolonization was impacted by
violent events in Asia e.g. Malaysia, Indonesia
 Struggle and activities of India National Congress
influenced transfer of power in 3rd world
countries- Role of Mahatma Gandhi
 lesson that violence can be avoided in transfer
of power
 Argument: but colonial powers never learnt a
lesson- case of Kenya, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Angola,
Zimbabwe, and Mozambique etc
Rodger Louis and Ronald Robinson
 Decolonization-a European initiative
 rise of USA as a world power led to
decolonization-the ideological belief of selfdetermination propounded by USA.
Argument
 Britain conceded to retain relationship with USA.
 But what of other powers like Belgium, Spain or
Portugal? why did they decolonize?
 USA –not genuine- had deep seated fear of Soviet
intervention to support nationalist cause. Hence
USA acted to contain Communism
 Soviet also had fear of capitalism and wanted to
stop it
Robinson & Louis
 Decolonization a European initiative,
 Britain had made up her mind, reviewed her
position in Africa and mapped a road to
independence, there was a timetable
 That riots and rebellions only accelerated
independence.
Argument
 No timetable due to methods used such as bitter
armed struggle- the human resource, weapons and
finances used to put down the uprisings
Fredrick Cooper
 Disagrees with Louis & Robinson
 If there was a timetable why the serious challenges,
why the armed military revolutions/rebellions?
 Cooper- independence was not supported
 Europeans were not willing to go but instead initiated
reforms at end of the war to appease the Africans
 The reforms both good and bad e.g. massive through
exploitation to pay off the war debts-aka “second
colonization”
Suret Canale
 Decolonization not a European initiative
 Supports Cooper, Powers were not willing to go
 There was no plan
 no design
 no timetable
 They were broke and wanted colonies for economic
exploitation to get on their feet.
 Used indirect exploitation excessively after WWII.
 Decolonization was a result of conflict bet imperialist
and liberation movements
Jack Woods “Africa the lion Awakes”
 Not a European initiative
 Not associated with the Asian mirror
 Europeans were forced out; An African initiative
 due to discontent at all levels the youth, traders,
workers, peasants even the colonial chiefs
were fed up,
 each group was suffocating,
 Groups set aside their differences and fought.
 Argument- Not all liberation movements were
totally national e.g. Nigeria divided on
religious base. Buganda wanted separatism
from rest of Uganda
Adu Boahen
 Decolonization was not well thought and carefully
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executed by the colonial powers.
It was an African initiative
Decolonization involved struggles sometimes peaceful
e.g. Tanganyika, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda.
Many were violent e.g. Algeria, Kenya, Angola,
Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Libya and S. Africa.
Portugal, France, and Belgium never thought of leaving
Africa- were forced out by armed resistance
African independence was costly
it was got by blood and not given on a silver platter, it
was grabbed.
Ali Mazrui “Triple Heritage”
 decolonization was an African initiative
 Africans fought and won Independence e.g. Kenya,
Algeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola, South
Africa, Guinea Bissau, etc
 Role of the ex-soldiers in various countries that
launched long protracted guerrilla warfare.
 Many formed underground movements to engage
colonial rule e.g. Mau Mau in Kenya
 Role of trade unions that called strikes and boycotts
e.g. Enugu mine workers, Toure and his 66 days strike
Conclusion
 Colonial powers
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Never supported decolonization, they had their own
agenda e.g. economic collapse of Europe and
containment of communism.
Asians and Pan-Africans supported decolonization
struggle
Africans too had their agenda, to fight for selfdetermination in accordance with the Atlantic Charter,
a war they fought well, only methods used differed
Routes followed –constitutional, or armed struggle, the
aim was one- to wrestle power from imperialists.
So to look at European initiative and ignore African
initiative & Asian/Pan-Africa friends is to distort
history,- all factors were at play.