WORLD HISTORY
25 .Decolonization and underdevelopment
, history of African decolonisation is sharply contrasted from its Asian counterparts. Elucidate
Decolonisation of Africa sharp contrast from its Asian counterparts:
Neo-Colonialism: The old European powers sought to exert influence in newly independent trades through
biased trade policies. Colonial powers were technologically advanced. So they used it as a leverage in
directing foreign investment and hence controlling the new states. This came to be known as Neo-
Colonialism. This was dominant in African decolonising countries whereas Asian countries were free to
decide their own economic and trade policies.
Nature of Discrimination: Religious and Caste based discrimination was highlight of Asia. In Africa it is
racial Discrimination which was dominant.
Pan-Africanism: A feeling of brotherhood was growing within the indigenous people of Africa. This meant a
pooling of resources and external support in the struggle for independence. As more and more countries
attained freedom, the entire process was hastened. This type of pan regional phenomenon was missing in
Asian decolonisation process.
Democratic System: In Asia after independence, democracy prevailed but most of former colonies of Africa
fell into Dictatorship.
Tribal differences: Many countries were brought together by the sheer military forces of the colonisers. Lack
of a common cultural past and tribal belligerence meant that they slaughtered each other inside these
artificial boundaries imposed upon them. This led to worst genocides in Nigeria, Congo (Zaire), Burundi and
Rwanda. Asian countries lacked such tribal dominance and were divided on natural cultural boundaries.
Border Demarcation: National boundaries were demarcated based on Religious and Geographical lines but it
was absent in Africa where still Civil war is going on for nation based on Ethnicity.
Ethnic conflict: In some countries with an influential white settler population, Decolonisation was a more
complex affair. They offered firm resistance because they were privileged under the old system. E.g.
Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and the erstwhile Apartheid regime of South Africa. Sometimes, as in Zimbabwe,
forced taking away of estates from the white minority led to an overall fall in productivity and caused
economic crises. Such influential white settlers were minute in Asian countries and had very much limited
influence.
Spill over effect: In Asia starting from India, majority of nation got independent within few years but in
Africa it continued for decades.
Aftermath of Decolonisation: Army coups were common in countries with weak leadership and limited mass
base in democratic processes. For example, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo etc.
Sovereignty: Most of Asia gained sovereignty in its external and internal matters but still Colonial influence
exists in Africa. Ex: French intervention in Chad, Mali etc.
There are certain similarities in both of their struggles:
25 .Decolonization and underdevelopment
, history of African decolonisation is sharply contrasted from its Asian counterparts. Elucidate
Decolonisation of Africa sharp contrast from its Asian counterparts:
Neo-Colonialism: The old European powers sought to exert influence in newly independent trades through
biased trade policies. Colonial powers were technologically advanced. So they used it as a leverage in
directing foreign investment and hence controlling the new states. This came to be known as Neo-
Colonialism. This was dominant in African decolonising countries whereas Asian countries were free to
decide their own economic and trade policies.
Nature of Discrimination: Religious and Caste based discrimination was highlight of Asia. In Africa it is
racial Discrimination which was dominant.
Pan-Africanism: A feeling of brotherhood was growing within the indigenous people of Africa. This meant a
pooling of resources and external support in the struggle for independence. As more and more countries
attained freedom, the entire process was hastened. This type of pan regional phenomenon was missing in
Asian decolonisation process.
Democratic System: In Asia after independence, democracy prevailed but most of former colonies of Africa
fell into Dictatorship.
Tribal differences: Many countries were brought together by the sheer military forces of the colonisers. Lack
of a common cultural past and tribal belligerence meant that they slaughtered each other inside these
artificial boundaries imposed upon them. This led to worst genocides in Nigeria, Congo (Zaire), Burundi and
Rwanda. Asian countries lacked such tribal dominance and were divided on natural cultural boundaries.
Border Demarcation: National boundaries were demarcated based on Religious and Geographical lines but it
was absent in Africa where still Civil war is going on for nation based on Ethnicity.
Ethnic conflict: In some countries with an influential white settler population, Decolonisation was a more
complex affair. They offered firm resistance because they were privileged under the old system. E.g.
Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and the erstwhile Apartheid regime of South Africa. Sometimes, as in Zimbabwe,
forced taking away of estates from the white minority led to an overall fall in productivity and caused
economic crises. Such influential white settlers were minute in Asian countries and had very much limited
influence.
Spill over effect: In Asia starting from India, majority of nation got independent within few years but in
Africa it continued for decades.
Aftermath of Decolonisation: Army coups were common in countries with weak leadership and limited mass
base in democratic processes. For example, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo etc.
Sovereignty: Most of Asia gained sovereignty in its external and internal matters but still Colonial influence
exists in Africa. Ex: French intervention in Chad, Mali etc.
There are certain similarities in both of their struggles:
