Decolonization in Asia and Africa - Essay Example

Recorded history attests to the several colonization and decolonization from the early years. Way back from the time of the first and Second World Wars, countries like Great Britain, Germany, France, the United States, and Spain had colonized other states and territories. The following are the factors that led to the decolonization of Africa and Asia: after the World War II struggle to combat the concept of dictatorship, many leaders argued that no country should control another nation; high cost and commitment of holding colonies; and there were nationalist movements among native people seeking for independence. Moreover, the Indians were granted independence freely by Great Britain in 1947; the Government of India Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1935 under which many provincial governments were turned over to the Indian leaders, and suffrage (the right to vote) has increased (“Decolonization”).

Following the outbreak of the Second World War was the decolonization of Africa and Asia. Decolonization in Africa began between the 1950s and 1960s. Great Britain, one of the great powers, conquered various territories in the land of Africa and built multiple colonies. Africans were under the colonization of the British--who believed that they had the right to colonize Africans and exploit their resources. They further contended that because they had superior weaponry and were more technologically advanced than Africans, colonization is favorable (“Africa: British Colonies”). Africans wanted to have their own government--so they cried for Independence. Several nationalist movements were done by Africans and finally, the British granted them independence.

The French, on the other hand, had established their numerous colonies in West Africa in the early nineteenth century. In addition, what the French did in order to gain more economic benefits on the land of Africa was that they acquire more lands to build their colonies and cultivate them to increase productivity. Their colonies in Africa include Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea, etc. The growing nationalism and the move towards independence among Africans led to their decolonization.

However, after the wake of the Second World War, Africans were starting to feel dissatisfied with the colonial system of French leaders. At that time, the growing calls for liberty had increased, so the French-made reforms--the Brazzaville Conference of 1994 and the new Constitution in France surprisingly give heed to African calls. The reasons and ways of French colonizers were almost the same when compared to British ways. Both gave heed to the calls of colonized countries--the need for independence and established government (“French in West”).