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Decolonization After 1900

Driving Question: What strategies and ideologies have been shared in common by liberation movements in different parts of the world?

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. Compare the processes by which various peoples pursued independence after 1900.
  2. Use graphic biographies to support, extend, or challenge the overarching narratives from this region. 

Vocab Terms:

  • boycott
  • decolonization
  • mandate
  • massacre
  • nationalist
  • nonviolence
  • protectorate
STEP 1

Opener: Decolonization After 1900

Teaching Tools

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

STEP 2

The Middle East and the End of Empire

Teaching Tools

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

Communities in the Middle East hoped for independence from their respective colonial powers after World War II. However, the Cold War conflict between the United States and Soviet Union only produced further foreign interference in many nations in the region.

STEP 3

And Then Gandhi Came: Nationalism, Revolution, and Sovereignty

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 5 of the Lesson 8.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

What are the features of successful independence movements, and how and why do these revolutions happen? The Quit India movement, led by the inspirational lawyer Mohandas Gandhi, is a case study of how a nonviolent revolution can succeed in its goals.

STEP 4

Resisting Colonialism: Through a Ghanaian Lens

Teaching Tools

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

Looking for more support using video in the classroom? Check out the blog post Engaging students with video.

We often think of resistance to colonialism in terms of armies and battles, and many independence struggles involved conflict. But resistance can also take many other forms—as seen in the case of the Gold Coast, better known today as Ghana.

Resisting Colonialism: Through a Ghanaian Lens External link

How did colonial subjects resist foreign control? Of course, there were vast differences, but we can get some answers by looking closely at Ghana as a case study.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 5

Comparison: Decolonization Methods

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 8 of the Lesson 8.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

Students have worked hard on comparison all year, help check their progress by evaluating this assignment using the Comparison Feedback Form.

You’ve learned about decolonization efforts in India, Ghana, and Egypt. Compare and contrast what these methods look like in these regions.

STEP 6

Graphic Biography: Kwame Nkrumah

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 14 of the Lesson 8.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

Curious how well your students are comprehending Graphic Biographies? Use the Three-Step Reading for Graphic Biographies: Tool to help evaluate their understanding.

How did the man who led a successful movement for independence in Ghana become involved in diplomacy during the Cold War? Kwame Nkrumah’s biography provides evidence to help you to evaluate the connections between decolonization and the Cold War.

STEP 7

Closer: Decolonization After 1900

Extension Materials
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John Green provides an in-depth look at how anti-colonial movements across the world won independence after World War II.
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Decolonization and Nationalism Triumphant: Crash Course World History #40

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 15 of the Lesson 8.5 Teaching Guide Locked .

The end of World War II brought about various nationalist and independence movements around the world.

Decolonization and Nationalism Triumphant: Crash Course World History #40 External link

After World War II, independence movements across the world sought freedom from empire. John Green describes how various nation-states were forged through nonviolence and revolution.

Key Ideas

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