Decolonisation - Meaning, Causes, Stages, Timeline, Scope, Consequences, Challenges & More

Decolonisation is when a nation formerly controlled by another turns politically independent. The time frame between 1945 and 1960 witnessed many countries achieving their freedom. Pakistan and India were The first countries to obtain independence from Great Britain in 1947. Decolonisation may take several forms, namely attainment of independence, incorporation with another state or creation of a “free association” status. Decolonisation took place through peaceful negotiations, aggressive revolts or non-violent protests. Even though there are more than 100 independent states today, it is considered that these states still lean on their former colonial rulers due to neocolonialism.

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In this article, let us look at decolonisation, the reasons, the timeline, its stages, causes, and its consequences and challenges for the UPSC IAS Examination.

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What is Decolonisation?

Decolonization is a historical process when a nation seeks independence from foreign rule. It occurs when people in a nation gain independence or merge into another state through a law of free association. This process is often seen as the colonies' way to liberate themselves from foreign rule, and it usually involves revolution and citizen engagement. Decolonization is driven by the people's desire for self-determination and is an anti-colonial philosophy aimed at national progress and preserving cultural values. Decolonisation adopts the following principles:

• a peaceful and independent policy
• the bolstering of liberal parties and
• not about any organization in which a foreign nation has direct influence.

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Scope of Decolonisation

The United Nations recognizes self-determination as a fundamental right for decolonization, regardless of political independence. A 1960 UN General Assembly Resolution condemned colonial foreign rule as a violation of human rights. Even in states that have gained independence, Indigenous people living under settler colonialism continue to demand decolonization and self-determination. Decolonization has occurred in various periods. It includes the breakup of empires after World War I and II and the end of the Cold War. Early studies on decolonization emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, with influential works such as "The Wretched of the Earth" by Frantz Fanon. Later studies addressed economic disparities and cultural annihilation as legacies of colonialism. 

Decolonization can also refer to freeing oneself from the colonizers' ideas that perpetuated feelings of inferiority. Contemporary discussions on decolonization, known as decoloniality. It is increasingly prominent in the Americas and South Africa.

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Causes of Decolonisation

The following are all the primary reasons why decolonisation took place.

• The Atlantic Charter: The Atlantic Charter was a document developed in 1941 that implicated the objectives of the Allied powers if they must win World War Two. One of the regulations of that charter was that all people had the right to self-determination. In other words, all people/countries had the right to govern themselves.
• Aftermath or consequence of World War Two: Britain and France had just been a war for the past 6 years, in which one was taken over (France), and the other was threatened to be taken over since 1940 (Britain). Both countries were in debt, and both militaries were exhausted.
• Colonies were Discontented after World War Two: Many of these colonies offered resources and manpower to their colonial resources during World War Two since they thought they would attain their independence if they offered assistance because that was what they vowed in the Atlantic Charter and by their colonial rulers.
• Colonial Nationalism: These colonies wished to become independent and were ready to do whatever it took until they obtained it.
• The Emergence of Two New SuperPowers: Post World War Two, the United States and the Soviet Union sprung up as the world's two superpowers. Both nations had one thing in common, they both were against colonial rule, and they put pressure on colonial powers to end their colonial rule.
• Nationalism: Nationalism is one of the vital causes for decolonisation to be formalized since nationalist movements consolidate the emancipatory project. Within this expression, there are three major aspects:
• Opposition to the Colonizing Nations: This occurs when the conquering nations assume all the commercial and social benefits, displacing the subjugated nations, who rebelled to uphold their rights.
• Democratic Ideology: The concept of supremacy and autonomy are disseminated and assimilated, which cause patriotic sentiment and are exhibited in two ways. The first is conservative nationalism which concentrates on the past and the relevance of culture, while progressive nationalism seeks to copy the positive actions of power states.
• Radical Animosity: The propagation of liberty and democracy establishes the denial of extreme ideas. For this reason, colonies seek to shed the supremacy and influence of empires.

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Five Stages of Decolonisation

There exist five proposed stages of decolonisation, and they are as follows:

• The first is rediscovery and recovery, in which a colonized or formerly colonized region actively finds its roots to regain the supremacy of its own culture, history and traditions of its particular region.
• The second stage is named the mourning phase, where people, as a community, process and understand any victimization or persecution that the colony might have experienced. This is frequently voiced in the form of frustration and protest.
• The third stage of decolonisation, commonly named the most crucial, is constructing the future of the proposed independent colony. This occurs most commonly through debate or consultation, where discussions include the colony's future, the guiding procedures and body and the re-establishment of culture.
• The fourth stage is dedication to a single determining cause and direction for the colony. This stage involves gathering the voices of all people, the voices that are united in a direction so that the colony can move ahead to the final stage.
• The fifth and the most common final stage of decolonisation is the action towards the determined unified goal, which can articulate itself in a range of ways, specifically through violence and reclaiming what was once a colony. The process of the previous four stages of decolonisation, at times, cannot be afforded to a colony if they are under serious threat. In this case, the fifth stage tends to demonstrate itself rapidly.

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Decolonisation Timeline

A brief history of decolonisation is given in table below.

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Consequences of Decolonisation

• Decolonization symbolized freedom and national power and contributed to neocolonialism and underdevelopment.
• Essentially, the countries that gained independence did not establish an appropriate economic framework for progress. It has led them to rely on developed nations even after proclaiming their liberation.
• Underdevelopment encompasses not only the absence of a stable socio-administrative structure but also results in high population growth. It leads to increased hunger, malnutrition, and disease.
• This situation further exacerbates the need for more infrastructure and technological resources as local production is insufficient. This necessitated the importation of essential commodities.
• Moreover, the nationalization of industries and these countries' gradual dissipation of capital disrupts the social system. It also gives rise to external debt. It increases their dependence on foreign states as interests accumulate.
• Currently, many underdeveloped nations find themselves in a predicament where they cannot negotiate politically due to their inability to repay the foreign debt acquired during the decolonization process.

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Challenges Related to Decolonisation

Some of the challenges associated with decolonisation include:

• Economic instability: When a colony becomes independent, it often loses access to the economic resources of the ruling country. This can lead to economic instability and poverty.
• Political instability: Decolonisation can also lead to political instability. This is because the newly independent countries often need more experience and resources to govern themselves effectively.
• Social conflict: Decolonisation can also lead to social conflict. This is because the newly independent countries often have to deal with the legacy of colonialism, such as ethnic tensions and economic inequality.
• Environmental degradation: Decolonisation can also lead to environmental degradation. This is because the newly independent countries often need more resources to manage their natural resources sustainably.

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Conclusion

• Even though the decolonisation process was complicated, the nations have learnt a lot from their struggles. This is why today, the focus has turned toward third-world nations for international matters.
• Post World War II, European countries could not control their colonies due to strong and constant opposition by the colonies and pressure from new super powers, i.e. USA and USSR. However, decolonization extended for years in Asia and Africa, and many were liberated after huge struggles.
• Decolonization and the concept of national self-determination led many nations in several continents or regions, including Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, to experience new administrations and self-rule, changes in the economies and social reorganization.
• However, in these newly decolonized areas today, the liberty of certain people and groups is seriously confined. For instance, the Free Press map at the Newseum in Washington D.C. indicates how in much of Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe, freedoms of speech and press are considerably limited or non-existent due to the situation left behind by the sudden discontinuation of Western influence.

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We hope that all your doubts regarding the topic of Decolonisation UPSC have been addressed after going through this article. Testbook offers a standard quality study notes for several competitive exams. Succeed in your UPSC preparations by downloading the Testbook App here!