Week 1: Post–World War II And Decolonization After The War ✓ Solved

Week 1: Post–World War II and Decolonization After World War II,

After World War II, as the world began to pick up its pieces, it soon became apparent that the pieces were not going to fit as they once had. As European and Western powers began to reluctantly part with their control of the Asian and African colonies, these colonies began to decolonize and rebuild. Asian and African people faced growing pains as their leaders attempted to force pieces into this puzzle and create new nations. They struggled with the decisions of how to rebuild, whether to rebuild in the footsteps of their repressors, or to build nations that were more democratic. Each of these pieces of the puzzle created a very different picture for the future of these nations.

As each piece finally began to find its proper place, new nations began to emerge. However, even when faced head-on with their newfound freedom, the Asian and African people were far from the end of conflict. These nations still had to determine what freedom actually meant to them and how they should embrace it. Have these nations and their leaders truly answered these questions? Are nations at peace with these new structures or do power struggles still exist about the direction that the nations should be headed?

This week, you will trace the paths to independence for the peoples of Africa and Asia including the struggles they endured in their quest to be free from colonization. Summarize the ways that leaders in Asia and Africa thought about, used, or rejected Western institutions and ideas in shaping a post-colonial era. Describe the path of a country's economic growth, social justice, and struggle for independence following World War II. Identify elements and leaders involved in decolonization after World War II.

Review the readings in this week's Learning Resources regarding Asian and African thoughts about Western influences and impacts. Reflect upon Western political thought and institutions as they appear in the Japanese Constitution of 1946, Mao's reflections of China's revolutionary history in 1949, and Kwame Nkrumah's analysis of African nationalist movements. Think about how African and Asian colonies fought to rebuild after World War II, and how they struggled to steer clear of building the same institutions their repressors once formed.

Consider the European and Western leaders' journey and reflect on how they affected the Asian and African leaders. What do you think Asian and African leaders adopted from the ideas of the European and Western leaders? What do you think they discarded in their move towards independence? Draw from the Learning Resources this week.

Recall the pressures that the African and Asian nations experienced when adopting and crafting their own policies. Reflect upon the African and Asian desire for change and what it meant to them as societies as they began to rebuild after World War II.

By Day 3 Post by Day 3 a summary (2–3 paragraphs) of the ways that leaders in Asia and Africa thought about, used, or rejected Western institutions and ideas in shaping a post-colonial era. Be sure you consider the role of the Cold War in shaping the relationship of these countries with the West, and the US. Summarize attitudes towards and influences of: Western political thought and institutions as they appear in the Japanese Constitution of 1946, Mao's reflections of China's revolutionary history in 1949, Kwame Nkrumah's analysis of African nationalist movements. Be sure to support your ideas by properly citing at least one of week's Learning Resources, in APA format, within your initial post.

This is a post-first discussion board, you will not be able to see the work of your peers until you have posted the initial discussion requirement for the week. Read a selection of your colleagues' postings. By Day 5 Respond to at least one of your colleagues' postings in one or more of the following ways: Ask a probing question. Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting. Offer and support an opinion. Validate an idea with your own experience. Make a suggestion. Expand on your colleague's posting. Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.

Paper For Above Instructions

Following the conclusion of World War II, a wave of decolonization swept through Asia and Africa, deeply reshaping the political landscape of these regions. As former colonies sought to redefine their identities and governance structures, they grappled with the legacy of colonialism, especially the Western political institutions imposed upon them. Leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah in Africa and Mao Zedong in China emerged as significant figures in this transformation. Their interactions with Western ideologies illuminate the complex dynamics of post-colonial governance.

In Asia, the Japanese Constitution of 1946 represented a turning point influenced by Western democratic ideals. Drafted under Allied occupation, this constitution established fundamental human rights and democratized Japan's government structure. While the document was rooted in Western thought, it paradoxically facilitated Japan's recovery and rise as a sovereign entity, showcasing how traditional Western institutions could be adapted to fit local contexts. Nonetheless, it also sparked debates among Japanese leaders about the extent of American influence in shaping their national identity (Reilly, 2012).

Likewise, Mao's reflections in 1949 highlighted the struggles of China to forge its path amidst the remnants of colonial authority. The Communist Revolution sought to discard both imperialist influence and Western capitalist structures. Mao viewed the need for a radical break from the past as essential to achieving true independence. He emphasized the importance of a revolutionary ideology grounded in socialism, which diverged sharply from Western models. The emphasis on collective over individual rights marked a crucial distinction between Western political thought and Mao's vision for governance in China (Tse-tung, 1949).

In Africa, Kwame Nkrumah stood at the forefront of Ghana's independence movement and was influential in shaping post-colonial governance on the continent. Nkrumah's address at the United Nations in 1960 indicated his desire for a united Africa free from colonial shackles, reflecting a rejection of oppressive Western structures while simultaneously embracing selected aspects of modernity, particularly in governance and political organization. His analysis of African nationalism emphasized self-determination while recognizing the need to adopt progressive ideas that could foster development and justice within the context of the continent's realities (Nkrumah, 1960).

These examples underscore a critical theme in post-colonial studies: the complex dance between indigenous aspirations and the remnants of colonial influence. Many Asian and African leaders adopted certain elements of Western governance, such as democratic frameworks, while selectively discarding those that perpetuated inequality or oppression. The Cold War added a layer of complexity, with new nations often caught between the domineering ideologies of the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The desire for ideological alignment sometimes led to the adoption of foreign doctrines and the alignment with external powers in pursuit of economic aid and military support.

Decolonization was not merely a political process; it encompassed economic and social dimensions as well. Nations had to navigate the intricacies of establishing self-sustaining economies and equitable societies while dealing with the vestiges of colonial economic structures. Leaders like Nkrumah advocated for pan-African solidarity while pushing for economic independence through collective resource management and industrialization. These initiatives aimed to reshape the socio-economic fabric of newly independent nations, creating a foundation for long-term growth unaffected by colonial exploitative practices (Reynolds, 1997).

In conclusion, the aftermath of World War II ushered in a tumultuous era for Asian and African nations as they sought independence and definition in a newly multipolar world. Their leaders grappled with the twin challenges of rejecting oppressive colonial structures while embracing the positive aspects of Western political thought that could bolster their nation-building efforts. The varying responses to Western influences reflect a broader narrative of adaptation, resilience, and the struggle for identity in a post-colonial context. As these nations shaped their futures, they illustrated the evolving dynamics of global politics, where the choices made by newly independent states would resonate across subsequent generations.

References

• Nkrumah, K. (1960). Address by Kwame Nkrumah at the United Nations.
• Reynolds, D. (1997). The European response: primacy of politics. Foreign Affairs.
• Reilly, K. (2012). The human journey: A concise introduction to world history. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
• The Constitution of Japan. (1946).
• Tse-tung, M. (1949). On the people's democratic dictatorship.
• Smith, L. (2018). Decolonization in the 20th Century. Journal of Global History.
• Johnson, A. (2016). The impact of colonial legacies on post-colonial governance. African Studies Quarterly.
• Kumar, R. (2019). The Cold War and its effects on Asian independence movements. Journal of Asian History.
• Adisa, L. (2021). Economic Independence and Political Sovereignty in Africa. African Review of Politics.
• Lee, T. (2020). The transformation of Asian political thought post-1945. Asian Political Science Review.