Comparing decolonisation Process across the world



Published on 25 Oct 2025


Indian Freedom Struggle

African Decolonization

Latin American Decolonization

Malayan Peninsula

Korean Struggle for Independence

Turkish War of Independence

Chinese Revolution

Time Period

Late 19th to mid-20th century

Mid-20th century

Late 18th to early 19th century

Mid-20th century

Early 20th century

1919-1923

1945-1949

Colonial Rulers

British Empire

Various European Powers

Spanish, Portuguese, French

British Empire

Japanese, Korean Empire

Ottoman Empire (Initially Allied Occupation)

Kuomintang and Chinese Communist Party

Leaders and Figures

Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, and others

Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, Nelson Mandela, Patrice Lumumba, and others

Simon Bolivar, Jose de San Martin, Miguel Hidalgo, and others

Tunku Abdul Rahman, Chin Peng, and others

Kim Il-sung, Syngman Rhee, Kim Ku, and others

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Mao Zedong, Chiang Kai-shek

Primary Strategies

Nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience, boycotts, and negotiation

Armed struggle, negotiations, and diplomatic efforts

Armed rebellion, military campaigns, and diplomacy

Guerrilla warfare, political negotiations, and diplomacy

Armed resistance, protests, and diplomatic efforts

Military campaigns, diplomacy, and negotiations

Guerrilla warfare, rural uprisings, and political maneuvers

Resulting Nations

India and Pakistan (1947), and later Bangladesh (1971)

Numerous African nations including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa

Multiple Latin American nations including Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil

Malaysia (1957), Singapore (1963), and later Malaysia (1965)

North and South Korea (1953)

Republic of Turkey

People's Republic of China

Challenges and Obstacles

British colonial rule, religious and cultural diversity, and internal divisions

European colonial powers, ethnic divisions, and post-independence challenges

Spanish, Portuguese, and French colonial rule, and social inequalities

Japanese occupation and ethnic diversity

Japanese colonial rule and the division of Korea

Allied occupation, internal strife, and Ottoman legacy

Civil war, Japanese occupation, and political fragmentation

International Support

Limited international support during early stages; gained support over time

Gained support from the UN, other African nations, and non-aligned countries

Gained support from various European powers during the Napoleonic Wars

Received support from the British and Commonwealth nations

Received international attention after World War II

Allied support during the War of Independence

Varying international support, including Soviet support for the Communists

Legacy and Impact

Inspiring other independence movements worldwide; nonviolence as a powerful tool

Sparked similar movements across Africa; anti-colonial sentiment in the developing world

Inspiration for future Latin American nationalist movements

Establishment of a successful multiracial nation

Divided Korea and ongoing tensions in the region

Foundation of modern Turkey, ending the Ottoman Empire.

Establishment of the People's Republic of China, reshaping Asian geopolitics

Modern Relations

India and Pakistan have complex relations; Bangladesh is an independent nation

Many African nations have stable relations; some face political challenges

Latin American nations have diverse relations with former colonial powers

Malaysia and Singapore have cordial relations; Malaysia faces political challenges

Divided into North and South Korea; ongoing tensions with North Korea

Modern secular republic with evolving relations with the West and the Middle East

Complex international relations with the United States, Taiwan, and others

Significance in History

One of the largest and most influential anti-colonial movements; contributed to decolonization globally

A continent-wide movement that marked the end of European colonialism in Africa

A series of movements that contributed to the end of Spanish and Portuguese colonial empires in the Americas

Successful model for peaceful decolonization and multiracial nation-building

Ongoing geopolitical significance due to the division of Korea

Foundation of modern Turkey, ending the Ottoman Empire.

Reshaped Asia and global politics, establishment of communist China.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Comparing decolonisation Process across the world decolonisation decolonization Indian Freedom Struggle African Decolonization Latin American Decolonization Malayan Peninsula Korean Struggle for Independence Turkish War of Independence Chinese Revolution Kuomintang Chinese Communist Party Ottoman empire Kwame Nkrumah Jomo Kenyatta Nelson Mandela Patrice Lumumba Simon Bolivar Jose de San Martin Miguel Hidalgo Tunku Abdul Rahman Chin Peng Kim Il-sung Syngman Rhee Kim Ku Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Mao Zedong Chiang Kai-shek

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
World History

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