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The end of empire and the problem of neocolonialism - Decolonization and its discontents

5 important questions on The end of empire and the problem of neocolonialism - Decolonization and its discontents

How is the period of Western colonial empire characterized?

The period of Western colonial empire was relatively brief, although its economic, cultural, political, and intellectual impact on the global community was, and continues to be, enormous.

What brought about the downfall of most territorial empires after 1945?

An amalgam of power and ideology undergirded the West's physical occupation of large portions of the globe during these centuries, and it was a combination of

European weakness,
The spread of nationalist ideology to colonial peoples,
Superpower opposition to traditional forms of colonialism

that brought about the downfall of most territorial empires after 1945.

What was thought to be the key of Europe's postwar economic recovery?

Despite their weakened state in the aftermath of World War II, none of these powers was keen to withdraw from empire; if anything, the preservation of overseas colonies was thought to be key to Europe's postwar economic recovery.

What are some examples of overseas colonies? What did they do to remain in control?

In many cases the controlling state was more than willing to use force in order to retain control over its overseas and transcontinental possessions.
The Dutch in Indonesia, the French in Vietnam and Algeria, and the Portuguese in Angola and Mozambique all used their military in unsuccessful attempts to preserve their imperial ascendancy.

Why did the Third World stay behind economically?

Third World economic diversification - key to building a balanced economy - was made more difficult as the sale of labor-intensive cash crops and raw materials became the principal means of servicing development loans from Western banks.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

A Concise History of the World Since 1945 | 9781352010206 | W M Spellman

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