THE 1960S – An Important Decade in World History Decolonisation in Africa and Asia
World War II weakened European economies
Rise of nationalism in Africa and Asia
USA and USSR favoured
decolonisation Causes of Decolonisation
European countries could not afford to maintain imperial armies
Growth of educated
World War II showed European empires could be defeated
leadership in colonies
European countries such as Britain, France, Germany and Belgium had built up huge empires in the 19th
colonies for raw materials and markets. They also developed railways, harbours and education and health systems there. Germany lost its colonies at the end of World War I, and the other countries were very much weakened by World War II. After World War II, India achieved its independence in 1947 and during the 1950s so did other countries. However, the greatest number occurred in the 1960s. In 1960, 17 African countries got their independence. In all, 35 African countries got their independence during the 1960s, compared to a total of 24 before the 1960s and after the 1960s.
Year
Before the 1950s 1950s 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
