The picture above is of three Moroccan soldiers in the French colonial forces. Thousands of men like them served and fought in the French military during the war and continued to do so even after France’s surrender to Germany. Once the war was over many colonies within the old European powers sought more autonomy and self government as a reward for their sacrifices during the war. Soldiers like the ones above began to form political groups and movements by colonists began to try to achieve these goals. It was from these groups and movements that these colonies were transformed into nation-states.
This movement for colonial independence largely began in the Southeast Asia. Frederick Cooper, in his article “Reconstructing the Empire in British and French Africa,” explains that these colonies could not be brought back under European control. After India left the British Empire in 1947, “the normality of empire was no longer a given.” (Cooper). This loss of territory for France and Britain would caused them to try all the harder to keep their territory in Africa so that they could ease their own homelands’ reconstruction efforts. However, this tightening down of colonies would lead to a greater call for independence.
After many of the colonial veterans returned home they began to form groups to gain more autonomy for their respective colonies. Many veterans and colonists saw this as just payment for their sacrifices during the war. For France, they tried to make some small changes only as, “a smokescreen for stubborn maintenance of the status quo.” (Cooper). However, independence movements continued to grow in these colonies well into the 1950s, and many old powers continued to tighten their grip. By the end of the 50s and early 60s, many of these colonies were largely able to gain independence, either through diplomacy or militant action.
Sources:
Jean-Paul Sartre, Colonialism and Neocolonialism (1964), excerpted.pdf
I believe that there is similarity between US veterans and African veterans each facing a struggle even after the formal end of the war. However for the French African troops in particular it was for recognition for their service. I thought your article did a good job of highlighting that veterans saw this as just payment for their participation during the war.
I think it’s interesting how you brought the Southeast Asia aspect back into the conversation. I think that the loss of their colonies in Asia made France hold onto their remaining African colonies more strongly.
It is possibly for the best that the Europeans gave up on their colonies. With the Cold War on the way they might have sparked conflict.
Christopher Jackson
I like how you mention the losses of Britain and French and that keeping Africa would ease their reconstruction plans. However, the European powers tightening down on them led to them wanting to be an independent nation. I thought this was well constructed because the context before had me asking that question and then, boom, it was answered.
Once the colonial powers needed to let their colonies go in order to focus on the war it marked the end of colonialism. It was the ability to be able to govern themselves and the taste of freedom that came with helping in the war effort that gave them the jolt they needed to separate from their rulers. With your article, do you disagree or agree with this?
I think its interesting that you use the phrase “tightening up”. I think France ideally wanted to make the colonies feel as one empire of people with the same equality and inclusive privileges. I think they were more open to a little more freedom as an act of desperation.