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Deconolization is the proces that happends when countries under colonial rule gained independence, mainly form european powers and portugal wich this process was especially important during the cold war, this time line shows the historical relevance of how the cold war wasnt just about the U.S and USSR. but also was about the transformation of africa, asia, the middle east and the caribbean and how the map of the world transformed and the arrival of more nations and with them also more conflicts
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After decades of nationalist movements led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Britain decided to leave India. However, the partition created two countries: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. This caused one of the most largest mass migrations in all history, with over 10 million people moving and about 1 million deaths due to mass violence. -
Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh declared independence in 1945 after Japan’s defeat, but France wanted to restore control. A brutal war followed, with communist support from China and the USSR. It finally ended in 1954 at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, leading to a temporary split of Vietnam into North and South. -
Indonesia declared independence in 1945 under Sukarno leadership, but the Dutch tried to reassert control after WWII. After four years of fighting and international pressure including from the UN and the U.S., the Netherlands finally recognized Indonesian independence in 1949. -
Algeria was seen as part of France, not just a colony, but Algerians launched a guerrilla war led by the FLN National Liberation Front. The war lasted until 1962 and was marked by extreme violence, torture, and terrorism on both sides. It also divided French society. -
Twenty nine Asian and African nations met in Indonesia to oppose the colonialism and promote solidarity among newly independent countries. This conference was a major step toward the creation of the Non Aligned Movement. -
Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, previously controlled by Britain and France. In response, Britain, France, and Israel attacked Egypt. The U.S. and USSR pressured them to withdraw, marking a turning point in decolonization: it showed that old European powers could no longer dominate the Middle East. Egypt emerged as a leader of Arab nationalism and the NonAligned Movement. -
Under Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence. This was a huge inspiration for the rest of Africa, showing that colonial rule could end peacefully through dialoge and negotiation. -
In one year, 17 African nations including Nigeria, Senegal, Madagascar, and the Congo became independent. This sudden wave of independence shocked Africa, though many nations faced instability and Cold War interference. -
Leaders like Tito (Yugoslavia), Nehru (India), and Nasser (Egypt) established the NAM in Belgrade. Their goal was to avoid siding with either the U.S. or USSR and defend the interests of developing nations. -
After 8 years of war and nearly a million deaths, the Evian Accords ended the conflict. Over a million European settlers (pieds noirs) fled Algeria, and the country aligned more closely with socialist policies. -
The white minority government in Rhodesia modern Zimbabwe declared independence from Britain without granting majority rule to the Black population. Britain and the U.N. refused to recognize the regime. This event highlighted the struggles against settler colonialism in southern Africa, which continued until Zimbabwe’s recognized independence in 1980. -
East Pakistan wanted autonomy but was brutally repressed by West Pakistan’s army. After a short war supported by India, Bangladesh declared independence. Millions died or fled as refugees. -
Portugal’s Carnation Revolution in 1974 ended its dictatorship and forced decolonization. Angola and Mozambique gained independence in 1975, but civil wars broke out immediately, with the U.S., USSR, Cuba, and South Africa all intervening. -
After years of U.S. involvement, North Vietnam defeated South Vietnam and Saigon fell in 1975. The country was reunified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, becoming a symbol of antiimperialist victory. -
Though not a colony in the classical sense, Iran’s revolution was seen as part of the broader anti-imperialist wave. The overthrow of the Shah, who was supported by the U.S., led to the creation of the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini. This challenged Western influence in the Middle East and inspired other anti-imperialist movements during the Cold War. -
Several small territories finally became independent. Examples include Antigua and Barbuda in 1981, Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1983, and Brunei on 1984. These marked the final stages of global decolonization. -
Formerly Rhodesia, it had declared unilateral independence under a white-minority government in 1965. After years of guerrilla warfare led by Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, the Lancaster House Agreement created majority rule, and Zimbabwe was born in 1980. -
Belize, located in Central America, became independent but kept ties with the British Commonwealth. Guatemala, however, claimed the territory, creating regional tensions.