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Decolonization Around the World

Driving Question: What role did the Cold War play in anticolonial movements in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia?

Revolution and global pressure pushed massive changes forward after World War II. This lesson features powerful voices of decolonization often left out of the story for a fuller view of the end of empire.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Use evidence to evaluate how leaders and communities resisted colonial rule in the context of Cold War power struggles.
  2. Use a graphic biography to support, extend, or challenge the overarching narratives of this period.
  3. Create arguments supported by evidence to assess how the Cold War and decolonization are intertwined in the history of this period.
STEP 1

Opener: Decolonization Around the World

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 2 of the Lesson 8.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

Short on time? Read “Decolonization Case Studies” Which one? External link in the Community forum for a variety of teacher takes on the topic.

STEP 2

Comparing Decolonization Struggles

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 3 of the Lesson 8.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

You may want to use the Comparison Tool to help your students keep track of all the decolonization movements they are reading about in this lesson.

By comparing cases like India, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Algeria, you’ll uncover how the global struggle between the United States and Soviet Union influenced local fights for independence—bringing both support and conflict to anticolonial movements.

STEP 3

Decolonization in the Middle East

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 4 of the Lesson 8.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

Check out our Reading Guide to learn about the Three-Step Reading approach.

As Cold War powers competed for influence in the Middle East, nationalist leaders like Nasser and Mossadegh faced new challenges and new opportunities to resist empire.

STEP 4

Decolonization in India

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 6 of the Lesson 8.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

Colonized people fought for independence through a variety of methods. Some chose violent revolt. Mohandas Gandhi, on the other hand, embraced a philosophy of nonviolence in the fight for India’s independence from Britain.

STEP 5

Decolonization in Ghana

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 7 of the Lesson 8.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

For a fresh take on this graphic biography, read Processing the Graphic Bio of Kwame Nkrumah External link in the Community Forum.

In Ghana, the fight for independence showed how local resistance and Cold War politics were connected. Learn how leaders and grassroots movements challenged colonial rule and shaped a new nation.

Resisting Colonialism: Through a Ghanaian Lens External link

In this video, we look at some episodes of resistance from Ghana—the British Gold Coast Colony—under the leadership of Yaa Asantewaa and later Kwame Nkrumah.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 6

Closer: Decolonization Around the World

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 11 of the Lesson 8.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

Remind students to use their historical comparison skills as they work through this activity. The Comparison One-Pager can provide a nice refresher on how we approach this skill in the course.

Extension Materials
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This extension gives you a chance to dig into sources and practice building strong historical arguments. Two videos will help you expand the lens on decolonization movements.
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Decolonization in India, East Asia, and the Caribbean

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 11 of the Lesson 8.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

Colonized people fought for independence as Cold War rivalries complicated those struggles. In this section, you will see how leaders, revolutions, and wars were shaped by the global battle between capitalism and communism.

Decolonization and the Cold War Through a Caribbean Lens External link

As the two superpowers struggled for control in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Central America, new leaders and movements sought to direct their nation’s future.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.

Decolonization and the Cold War Through an Asian Lens External link

As Asian nations threw off the yoke of foreign colonial control and the Cold War intensified, wars in Korea and Vietnam reshaped East Asian politics.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.