
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 Westerndominated 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