AH Challenge: As rapid decolonization as possible post-WW I

Let's say both UK and France see writing on the wall in 1919 and take a hard look at their colonial possessions - and decide it's time to get rid of them, damn the consequences for local population. Easier to sell arms to local strongmen and buy resources from them. How rapid decolonization is feasible?

How much stronger would France be in 1939 if not burdened by Indochina and French Africa? I would guess Algeria would stay?
 
Let's say both UK and France see writing on the wall in 1919 and take a hard look at their colonial possessions - and decide it's time to get rid of them, damn the consequences for local population. Easier to sell arms to local strongmen and buy resources from them. How rapid decolonization is feasible?

How much stronger would France be in 1939 if not burdened by Indochina and French Africa? I would guess Algeria would stay?
Partial decolonization doesn't really work - whenever a colonial power lets go of an area, it automatically turns that area into a safe haven for rebels/revolutionaries in its remaining colonies that border the place, and also opens up a conduit through which hostile powers can funnel resources to said rebels.

To answer your question - if France let go of most of Africa, Algeria would soon follow
 
Partial decolonization doesn't really work - whenever a colonial power lets go of an area, it automatically turns that area into a safe haven for rebels/revolutionaries in its remaining colonies that border the place, and also opens up a conduit through which hostile powers can funnel resources to said rebels.

To answer your question - if France let go of most of Africa, Algeria would soon follow
They probably could get rid of Indochina by selling cheaply to the Dutch or British.
 
How cheaply? The British weren't exactly overflowing with cash at the time.

Giving it up for free for some kind of preferential trade pact?

I understand in practice this is impossible due to beliefs at time...
 
How cheaply? The British weren't exactly overflowing with cash at the time.
I think it would be desirable for the British to have, allows them to put more pressure on China and Japan, I don't know exactly how valuable. I believe though that the UK would at least consider the proposition.
 
To answer your question - if France let go of most of Africa, Algeria would soon follow

In long term Algeria would be a net loss for France as well, but perhaps some kind of arrangements with newly independent neighbours could be made...

But how about UK? This would probably require ASB intervention, but on the other hand just some short years later decolonization was in a full swing. Prospects for a deal in which India would become pact-bound UK ally with preferential trade treaty in exchange for independence? Even if this kind of pact would not probably hold for a long time it might make decolonization easier to sell for the public.

In 1919 Britain would have far more power to pull this kind of arrangement than in 1945...
 

ar-pharazon

Banned
Widespread communist insurrection and revolutuon throughout Europe results in both successful communist states and widespread civil war engulfing the continent leading the colonies revolting against European overlordship and such revolts spreading like wildfire.

War between Britain and America(no Anglo-American naval treaty) basically the struggle between the Anglo Saxon behemoths utterly shatters the balance of power amongst the great powers worldwide leading to independence for a great many African colonies, India, etc...

The war is prolonged another 2-3 years-sheer exhaustion and unrest precipitates mass revolt amongst the colonies.
 
Top