Decolonization was one of the defining processes of the 20th century, fundamentally reshaping global political, economic, and cultural landscapes. As historian Prasenjit Duara has noted, it involved not just the transfer of legal sovereignty, but also a profound movement for moral justice and political solidarity against imperialism — an emancipatory ideology that sought to liberate both nations and humanity itself.
In this course, we will begin by asking, “What were European empires?”. From there, we will examine the diverse and often turbulent paths to independence in Asia and Africa, exploring both the commonalities and unique trajectories of decolonization.
Through a selection of key texts, films, and primary sources, we will address critical questions such as: How and why did the “end of empire” come about? What forms did decolonization take in different regions? What political, social, and economic challenges emerged in the aftermath of independence?
