UNIT 3: DECOLONISATION

AND COLD WAR (1945-1989)

1. DECOLONISATION
 Comic strip of Tintin in Congo
Anti-colonisation
propaganda
 1.1. DEFINITION AND CAUSES
• Decolonisation: process that, as of 1945, led to dismantlement of the existing
colonial empires and the Independence of their colonies.
• CAUSES:
1. Second World War: colonies send soldiers and resources to fight in the war +
weakness of colonial powers after the war.
2. Nationalist movements: the spread of european political ideas in the colonies
(marxism, liberalism and nationalism) encouraged the first political movements
looking for the Independence.
3. Emergence of charismatic leaders: native elites formed in Europe returned with
political ideas and they are going to lead the Independence process.
4. International support: UN support the right of self-goverment and USA/URSS
against the colonial rule because they want to expand their areas of
influence.
French senegales troops (WWII)

Baaz political party:

panarab political party
that supported the
creation of one arab
country.

UK Colonies Minister talking with UK african

troops (WWII)
Independentist
leaders of India and
Vietnam
Independentist leaders of Indonesia and
Congo
 UNITED NATIONS ENCOURANGING
DECOLONISATION PROCESS
• Article 1 UN CHARTER (1945)
• The Purposes of the United Nations are:
• To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective
measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression
of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful
means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or
settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the
peace;
• To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal
rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to
strengthen universal peace;
• To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic,
social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for
human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex,
language, or religion; and
• To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common
ends.
 1.2. THE STAGES OF
DECOLONISATION
• FIRST STAGE (1945-1955): colonies in Asia and Middle East.
• SECOND STAGE (1955-1975): colonies in Africa.
• THIRD STAGE (since 1975): small territories in Africa, Middle East and Ocenia.
• NOT ALL THE INDEPENDENCES FOLLOW THE SAME PROCESS:
• Peaceful process throughout pacts mantaining their political and economic ties
(Ex: British colonies joining after the Independence in the Commonwealth).
• Violent process (colonial wars) overall in colonies with an important number of
european population (Ex: Kenia, Algeria, Mozambique…)
• Mix process with diplomacy and violent conflicts (Ex: India)
BRITISH PROPAGANDA

Commonwealth:
association of
countries with
“British culture”
(old colonies)
linked by political
and economic
ties.
British repression in Kenya (1950s)
Algerian independentist protest
against the French control
 1.3. DECOLONISATION OF ASIA
• Asia: AND MIDDLE EAST
• Philippines peaceful process but
violence
• Hindustan (religious violence +
Independence movement),
• Indonesia (Dutch colony) and French
Indochina (overall in Vietnam) WARS
OF INDEPENDENCE
• Middle East: peaceful process but the
problem of Palestine:
• British colony.
• After WW2 increase the jewish
emigration due to the Holocaust.
• UN decides the creation of two states
(one arab and one jew) ARABS
DIDN´T ACCEPT SO START THE ARAB-
ISRAELI WARS.
• [Link]
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Vietnamite independentists soldiers
 1.4. THE PUSH TO DECOLONISE. THE
BANDUNG CONFERENCE AND UN
• Bandung Conference (Indonesia): in New
1955, 29 recently decolonised Asian
countries (the majority of them from and
Asia) carry out a meeting to African
nations in
condemn colonialism, racism, affirm
the UN
the right of the nations to
determinate their future and
neutrality in the Cold War (Non-
Aligned Movement).
• UN condemned colonialism in 1960.
 2
1 5
4

3
Countries participants in
Bandung Conference (1953)

1) Nehru (Prime Minister of India)

2) Krame Nkrumah, president of
Ghana.
3) Gamal Abdel Nasser,
president of Egypt
4) Sukarno, president of
Indonesia
5) Tito, president of Yugoslavia
 UN 1960 DECLARATION ON THE GRANTING OF
INDEPENDENCE TO COLONIAL COUNTRIES AND
PEOPLES
• And to this end Declares that:
• 1. The subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental
human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world
peace and co-operation.
• 2. All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status
and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
• 3. Inadequacy of political, economic, social or educational preparedness should never serve as a pretext for
delaying independence.
• 4. All armed action or repressive measures of all kinds directed against dependent peoples shall cease in order to
enable them to exercise peacefully and freely their right to complete independence, and the integrity of their
national territory shall be respected.
• 5. Immediate steps shall be taken, in Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories or all other territories which have not
yet attained independence, to transfer all powers to the peoples of those territories, without any conditions or
reservations, in accordance with their freely expressed will and desire, without any distinction as to race, creed or
colour, in order to enable them to enjoy complete independence and freedom.
• 6. Any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is
incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
• 7. All States shall observe faithfully and strictly the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the present Declaration on the basis of equality, non-interference in the internal
affairs of all States, and respect for the sovereign rights of all peoples and their territorial integrity.
 1.5. DECOLONISATION IN AFRICA
• The process start after Bandung,
affecting first the northern colonies
(peaceful process except Algeria).
• Since 1960, Sub-Saharian Africa started
the process (peaceful in general terms
except in Portuguese colonies and
colonies with an important number of
european population setting an
apartheid regime* after the
independence).
• After the decolonization, the new rulers
in Africa kept the artificial borders
drawn by former colonizers, decision
that has caused many conflicts in the
African continent (rebellions, civil
wars,…).
*Apartheid: racist political regime where the legislation discriminates the black
population in favour one white minority
2. COLD WAR
 USA and USSR allegories fighting using as
shields the continents of South America
(USA) and Africa and Asia (USSR)

Flags of USA and USSR with symbols of

these countries (Statue of Liberty and
Kremlin Palace)
 2.1. DEFINITION AND STAGES
• Cold War: situation of permanent military, ideological and diplomatic tensión
between two blocs of countries confronted. It is said that it was a “cold” war
because there was no direct confrontation. Instead, they confronted
indirectly in “proxy wars”: regional wars around the world in which both, USSR
& US, supported one side or the other. E.g.:Korean & Vietnam
• When? Between 1945 and 1991.
• STAGES:
1. Formation of blocs (1945-1953): Asia and Europe as main protagonists, the
policy of DOCTRINES (TRUMAN AND ZHDANOV).
2. Peaceful coexistence (1953-1976): desire for dialogue between USSR and USA
( M.A.D. Situation in which any use of nuclear weapons by either of two
opposing sides would result in the destruction of both, the attacker & the
defender. It dissuades both sides to initiate any attack).
 2.1. DEFINITION AND STAGES
• STAGES:
3. The resurgence of the Cold War (1976-
1985): economic crisis in the Western
World and expansion of communism in
the world (Afghanistan, Angola…) +
increase of nuclear weapons of USSR.
4. The end of Cold War (1985-1991): USA
recuperated the initiative (SDI or “Star
Wars”+ promotes anti-communist
movements in the world). Gorbachov in
Soviet Union encouraged reforms
(Glasnot and Perestroika) and retired
soviet troops in the world (Fall of Berlin
Wall) + disarmament agreements with
USA.
1991: REFORMS OF GORBACHOV CREATE A
HUGE CRISIS IN THE URRS PRODUCING ITS
DISAPPEARANCE AND THE END OF COLD WAR
Cartoon about the “Peaceful
coexistance”
Blue: USA and its allies Red: USSR and its
allies
Blue: European NATO
members

Red: Communists
countries in Europe
Cold War situation
in Asia
 2.2. THE CAPITALIST BLOC:
FORMATION, POLITICS AND THE
ECONOMY (1945-1973)
• General characteristics:
• Headed by USA.
• Western countries (Western Europe,
Australia, Canada, New Zealand
and Japan).
• Parliamentary democracies and
capitalist economy.
• NATO (North Atlantic Treaty
Organization) 1949: military alliance
to strengthen the ties among
western countries.
NATO members

Symbol of NATO
 2.2. THE CAPITALIST BLOC:
FORMATION, POLITICS AND THE
ECONOMY (1945-1973)
• USA. THE HEGEMONIC POWER.
• Two-party political system
(Republicans-Democratic).
• After WW2 the US had major growth
in economic power but not in civil
rights for the minorities. PROBLEM IN
THE FUTURE.
• Golden Age of US Capitalism. Mass-
consumption became widespread.
New inventions manufactured at
cheap prices were available for the
middle class, improving their lives. On
the other hand, USA produced almost
the half of industrial and agricultural
products in the Western World.
DEFINITIVE EXPANSION OF AMERICAN
WAY OF LIFE AROUND THE CAPITALIST
WORLD
Afroamerican protests against the
discrimination in USA

Rosa Parks

Martin Luther
King, main leader
of Civil Right
Movement
• [Link]
=oumeHlS0MDI
Advertisement during the 1960s
 2.2. THE CAPITALIST BLOC:
FORMATION, POLITICS AND THE
ECONOMY (1945-1973)
• WESTERN EUROPE. RECONSTRUCTION • THE START OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
AND INTEGRATION. (1945-1957)
• Multi-party democracy and some • European integration was desired to
“South dictatorships”. create political & economic
cooperation among the countries.
• THE MARSHALL PLAN. EUROPEAN
RECONSTRUCTION. • TREATY OF ROME (1957): created the
• USA’s program of economic aid for the European Economic Community(EEC),
RECONSTRUCTION OF EUROPE after the which established a single market: free
devastation of WW2. movement of people, goods, services &
• Over 25.000 million dollars in grants & capital among member countries.
loans.
• Aim: to avoid social unrest + stop the • Founders: Belgium, France, Italy,
advance of Communism in Western Luxembourg, Netherlands & West
Europe. Germany.
• Thanks to it, European economy • First step towards European integration
experienced a rapid recovery. and modern-day E.U.
Plan Marshall propaganda
Protest
against
the
poverty in
Europe

USA
economic
aid
European presidents signing the
Treaty of Rome
 2.2. THE CAPITALIST BLOC:
FORMATION, POLITICS AND THE
ECONOMY (1945-1973)
• JAPAN. THE ECONOMIC MIRACLE.
• 1945-1951 occupied by USA
• 1947: new constitution established a
parliamentary monarchy +
emperor’s power is simply symbolic
+ no army allowed.
• Incredible economic growth WHY?
• Disciplined workforce that worked
long hours for low wages.
• Help from the USA.
• Desire of revenge (Japan want to
compete with other countries
throughout the economy).
USA aid to Japanese kids after WW2
 2.3. THE CAPITALIST BLOC: SOCIAL
CHANGES (1945-1973)
• Trends and social movements: • [Link]
• New trends: long hair for mens, aveZC0Iqk
miniskirts, pop and rock music and
overall UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO FILMS
AND TELEVISON HELP TO SPREAD ALL
THOSE CHANGES.
• Social Movements:
• Civil Rights Movement for the rights of
ethnic minorities in USA.
• Feminist movement criticised the
traditional role assigned to women as
mothers, wives and house makers.
• Hippie movement and “May 1968” in
France criticised the consumerism, the
american way of life and support the
pacifism.
After USA Civil War (XIX century) in many
states, the afroamerican population
suffered political discrimination (Ex: using
different bathrooms or the prohibiton the
enter in many buildings)
The Beatles or the Audrey Hepburn (Hollywood actress)
origin of Pop Music

Universal
access to
education
 2.4. THE CAPITALIST BLOC (1973-
1991)
• Liberal democracies replaced
military dictatorships in Southern
Europe (Portugal, Spain and
Greece).

• Communist parties in Western

countries embraced
Eurocommunism: modified versión
of Marxism, instead of achieve the
power through the revolution,
power should be accessed through
parliamentary processes.
 2.4. THE CAPITALIST BLOC (1973-
1991)
• Consequences of crisis:

• High inflation
• Decrease in demand
• Many large companies closed
• Huge unemployment
• Social unrests in several Latin
American countries: military
dictatorships established: (Ex: Chile,
Argentina)
Military coup of Pinochet against the left wing
government of Salvador Allende in Chile
 2.5. THE COMMUNIST BLOC (1945-
1982)
INTRODUCTION
• Led by the USSR
• Eastern European countries where
after WW2 the USSR had imposed its
dominion and Communist
governments known as “peoples’
democracies” were established.
• It was reinforced with the
Communist revolutions in China
(1949) & Cuba(1959).
 2.5. THE COMMUNIST BLOC (1945-
1982)
• COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
• “Peoples’ democracies”
• Communist dictatorships. No real political
pluralism.
• No freedoms or individual rights. They were
subordinated to the interests of the state.
• They were controlled by the USSR. Any
attempt at independence was crushed.
(PACT OF VARSOVIA in 1955)
• Planned economy
• Huge intervention of the state in the
economy. The government regulates
production, distribution, prices, etc.
• Property is public. No free competition

• [Link]
Kk
Anti-communists
protests in
Hungary and
Czech Republic
but were
repressed by the
USSR army
After WW2, Berlin
was separated in
two areas (one
communist or East
Berlin and one
capitalist or West
Berlin. The whole
city was in Eastern
Germany
(communist) so to
avoid the Migratory
movements from
the communists
areas to the
capitalist Berlin, the
Eastern German
authorities decided
to build a wall to
separate both parts
of the city
Checkpoint: a
barrier or manned
entrance, typically
at a border, where
security checks are
carried out on
travelers that
wanted to cross
the Berlin wall.
 2.5. THE COMMUNIST BLOC (1945-
1982)
URSS Kruschev
First leaders:
• Joseph Stalin (until 1953): expansion
of communism in Europe and Asia +
Atomic Bomb in 1949
• Nikita Kruschev: (1953 –64): process Stalin
of “de-stalinisation” (condened the
abuses and cult of the personality of
Stalin), certain reforms.
Brezhnev
• Leonid Brezhnev (1964 –82): stop the
reforms.
[Link]
 2.5. THE COMMUNIST BLOC (1945-
1982)
• CHINA
Flag of
• 1945 –49: CIVIL WAR IN CHINA China
(NATIONALIST VS COMMUNISTS)
• The Civil War ended in 1949 with the
victory of the Communists, and the
division of China into 2 states:
• PEOPLES’ REPUBLIC OF CHINA (on the
continent): communist
• REPUBLIC OF CHINA (on
Taiwan/Formosa island, where the
nationalists had fled)
• MAO REFORMS: communist regime and
GREAT LEAP FORWARD (1958) +
CULTURAL REVOLUTION (1966)

Mao Zedong, president of China

GREAT LEAP FORWARD (1958): process of quick and forced industrialisation, transfering
all the resources and capital of the money for the industry leaving aside the agrarian
sector. As a consequence of this, China suffered big periods of famines.
CULTURAL REVOLUTION (1966-1976): the
great leap forward policy was a big fail
producing critices to the power of Mao
among other members of the Communist
Party who desired some reforms in the
Chinese economy. For that reason, Mao
with the support of the most radicals
elements of the communist party is going to
lead a harsh reppression against his enemies
in the party
 2.5. THE COMMUNIST BLOC (1945-
1982)
• CUBA
• Prior to the revolution, Cuba was ruled
by a dictator: BATISTA(putsch in 1952).
• After a first failed coup d’état (1953),
Fidel Castro led a revolution to
overthrow Batista. After a 25-months
guerrilla campaign, the revolution
triumphed in 1959.
• Once in power, Fidel Castro established
a Communist dictatorship.
• USA ordered an embargo of the island
and tried to invade the island.
• 1962 CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
Propaganda against USA commercial
blockade of Cuba
1
2

Cuban communist guerrilla with its main leaders: Fidel Dictator of Cuba before the
Castro (1) and Ernesto “Che” Guevara (2) Cuban Revolution
 2.6. THE COMMUNIST BLOC (1982-1991). THE
COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION AND THE
COMMUNIST BLOC
• By the mid-1980’sthe USSR was
facing a deep crisis:
• ECONOMIC CRISIS: due to the
inefficiency & low productivity of
the Communist economic system.
• POLITICAL CRISIS: due to an
increasing discontent of the
population given the lack of
freedom& the corruption inside the
Communist Party.
USSR nationalities leaving the USSR boat, that is
sinking
 2.6. THE COMMUNIST BLOC (1982-
1991). THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET
UNION AND THE COMMUNIST BLOC
• 1985: new leader of the USSR: Mikhail
Gorbachev.
• He initiated a set of…
• Economic reforms to liberalize the
Russian economy: the “perestroika”,
permitted private ownership of
businesses. State companies should
determine their production & prices
according to the demand.
• Political reforms to democratize the
Russian politics: the “glasnost”, political
parties were permitted, censorship was
abolished.

Mikhail Gorbachev
Nationalist and
liberal political
movement leading
the fall of
communist regimes
in Eastern Europe
Nowadays, we
consider the end of the
Cold War with the fall
of the Berlin Wall
(November 1989) the
main symbol the
division of the world
• [Link] • [Link]
=A9fQPzZ1-hg =bwWW3sbk4EU
• History Berlin Wall • Missile crisis Cuba
• [Link]
=sXAOTjNheVg
• China Cultural Revolution
 2.6. THE COMMUNIST BLOC (1982-
1991). THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET
UNION AND THE COMMUNIST BLOC
• Mikhail Gorbachev also granted
autonomy to the Eastern European
countries (the USSR wouldn’t intervene in
their internal issues). In 1989, the Eastern
“Peoples’ democracies” gained
independence from the USSR, communist
regimes were overthrown & democracy
was established.
• 1990:first free elections in the Republic of
Russia. Boris Yeltsin was elected president.
This democratization led to an attempt of
coup d'état by some members of the
Communist Party that didn’t want to
loose their power & privileges.
• 1991:the rest of Republics that formed the
USSR declared their independence. The
USSR was dissolved, which was then
divided in 15 independent states. The
dissolution of the USSR meant the end of
the Cold War too. The US remained as the
only superpower.