Decolonization with out a cold war?

[Jim Smitty]

This is for my ASB TL, UA 817 but I'm posting it here to get ideas.

What I'm looking for is the best way to decolonization after a bloody WW2 where the Soviets were a member of the axis. French had frought a civil war. At the big ticket items.

I'm open to all ideas and I'm looking for a peaceful decolonization and a stable Africa and Asia. I want some feed back before I post my own ideas.

 

[ComradeTovarich]

What I'm looking for is the best way to decolonization after a bloody WW2 where the Soviets were a member of the axis. French had frought a civil war. At the big ticket items.

I'm open to all ideas and I'm looking for a peaceful decolonization and a stable Africa and Asia. I want some feed back before I post my own ideas.

Instead of the democratic-communist divide, there was a chance that the nature of decolonisation be affected by wartime collaboration.

Unlike Axis-controlled Europe, much of Axis-controlled Southeast Asia was made up of colonies. Those who collaborated with the Japanese weren't seen as traitors but rather patriots alongside those who were backed by the WAllies. Remember that the Japanese 'promised' to grant independence to the various western colonies in the region. And grant independence they did to The Philippines, Burma and Thailand (which was already independent, but what the heck), though it was in name. Collaboration with the Japanese was also seen as patriotism as it could be seen that the people in these movements fought for independence or some degree of autonomy.

When the WAllies returned to Southeast Asia, many nationalists feared that they would lose the independence they gained under the Japanese, no matter how nominal it was. This could possibly extend to even India, which hadn't been conquered by Japan but had a pro-Japanese army and political movement organised on her behalf by Bose. Convinced that they might lose what they thought they had gained, it's likely that they would have taken up arms against the returning colonial powers.

The Philippines was the exception, since independence was promised them by the Americans. That said, Filipino politics was somewhat divided between the collaborators and the American-picked leaders. Malaya also wouldn't really count too as most of the resistance there didn't really fight for Malayan independence. Burma too, since the Japanese backed regime imploded when the Burmese National Army led by the initially pro-Japanese Aung San defected to the British in 1944.

Hence, the only places in Southeast Asia where I can see collaborationists fighting the pro-colonials would be in French Indochina and Indonesia.

 

[Iori]

Decolonization of Africa would be slower, probably ending with the last few countries gaining independence in the early 90's (with the bulk in the 1975-1985 period), which would be a good thing if the U.S., rather than depending all colonies be given independence immediately used that influence to get Europe to agree to building them up (with U.S./U.N. assistance) and giving them independence at a scheduled time afterwards.

 

[Flocculencio]

This is for my ASB TL, UA 817 but I'm posting it here to get ideas.

What I'm looking for is the best way to decolonization after a bloody WW2 where the Soviets were a member of the axis. French had frought a civil war. At the big ticket items.

I'm open to all ideas and I'm looking for a peaceful decolonization and a stable Africa and Asia. I want some feed back before I post my own ideas.

With any POD post 1900, India will likely get independence peacefully by the mid to late 1950s. The Indian nationalist movement was already up and running by the tail end of the 19th C- the only question is how long it takes. IOTL WW2 hurried things up because the Indian National Congress essentially agreed to cooperate with the Allied war effort in exchange for Independence ASAP after the end of the War.

I could see this becoming even more crucial if the Soviet Union is fighting against the Allies.

Britain needs a source of manpower large enough to match the Red Army.

Option 1 (the Nice Option): Britain manages to convince the INC to support the expansion of the Indian Army and to agree to put India on a total war footing. The Indian economy booms as war production starts there in earnest. Unrest rises with the increased recruiting but the the Congress supporting the war effort the Indian Army becomes seen as a truly Indian Army, fighting for democracy and in exchange for Independence. By war's end India has suffered huge casualties but a million man army of battle-hardened Indians returns home to an India that is beginning the Independence process.

With India's Independence, the largest, wealthiest and most prestigious European colony is gone. Other colonial peoples will see India as a pioneer and nationalist sentiments will rise even more (as was true IOTL).

Option 2 (The Nasty Option): Britain tries to rude roughshod over India and enforce participation in the war effort. The INC refuses to cooperate. India explodes in violence and insurrection and Britain, it's hands full in Europe, can do nothing. India declares independence and given this example many other colonial nationalist groups follow suit. A hundred Vietnam Wars start all over Asia.

Either way, really, once one of the big colonies like India or Indonesia gets independence every other Asian and African nationality is going to see that as an example to follow.

 

[Jim Smitty]

Ok, in Asia the Japanese are kicking their asses kick in the opening month of the war so far. This is thanks to America getting ready for the coming war. Its not looking good for them so far.

As to India, I was looking at the possibly of the British giving India Dominion status sometime in 1941 to get them to fully support the war. Then after the war slowly work on giving them their full independence within 5 to 10 years after the end of WW2 ITL.

As to Africa and Asia, I was looking at a much slower decolonization peoird. I figure the ITL UN and US would be working with these colonies to but them up so they wouldn't fall into civil war, with a slow turn over of power to these other colonies so they and get a better feel for how to govern themselves.

 

[pompejus]

I think I have said it before, but the decolonisation of Indonesia could be very different without a cold war. Without a cold war American influence would be reduced and American influence was a deciding factor with the Indonesian independence. The netherlands managed to regain its influence all over Indonesia after the second World War, except java and Sumatra, where the indonesian people resisted. I do believe that Indonesian independence is unavoidable, but the "Politionele Acties" could take longer than OTL and Indonesia could be a lot smaller, possibly only consisting of Java and Sumatra, maybe even without Aceh. Certainly without the Maluku Islands and New Guinee as both did not want to be part of Indonesia, but were forced, partialy because of the USA.