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Reshaping the world order: decolonisation
This sheet presents decolonisation. After the Second World War, the European colonial powers are weakened (France, Belgium, United Kingdom).
Key points of the sheet
- Broken promises made to the colonies fuel frustration. Nationalist and anti-colonial movements grow. Some colonies want more autonomy, or even full independence.
- New international actors support these struggles. The United Nations (UN), created in 1945, defends the right of peoples to self-determination. The United States and the USSR oppose colonialism.
- Decolonisation can be peaceful: independence is agreed through negotiation. For example, French sub-Saharan Africa gains independence in 1960.
- Decolonisation can also be violent: a war leads to independence. France's defeat in the Indochina War (1946-1954) leads to the end of French Indochina and the division of Vietnam.
- The Algerian War takes place from 1954 to 1962. It is between France and the National Liberation Front.
- In 1960, the French colonies of Africa and Madagascar become independent.
Words to know
- decolonisation (décolonisation)
- Colonies become independent. Decolonisation can be peaceful or violent.
- right of peoples to self-determination (droit des peuples à disposer d’eux-mêmes)
- It is a right defended by the UN, created in 1945.
- nationalist and anti-colonial movements (mouvements nationalistes et anticolonialistes)
- They grow in the colonies, with demonstrations and riots.
- Indochina War (guerre d’Indochine)
- It is a war from 1946 to 1954. France's defeat leads to the end of French Indochina.
- Algerian War (guerre d’Algérie)
- It is a war from 1954 to 1962 between France and the National Liberation Front.
- National Liberation Front (Front de libération nationale)
- It is France's Algerian opponent during the Algerian War.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Which organisation, created in 1945, defends the right of peoples to self-determination?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle organisation, créée en 1945, défend le droit des peuples à disposer d'eux-mêmes ?
The UN was created in 1945. It defends the right of peoples to self-determination.
What are the dates of the Algerian War?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelles sont les dates de la guerre d'Algérie ?
The Algerian War takes place from 1954 to 1962.
In which year does Madagascar gain its independence?
In French, the language of the exam: En quelle année Madagascar obtient-elle son indépendance ?
In 1960, the French colonies of Africa and Madagascar become independent.
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More in this topic (World conflicts and the new world order)
- The First World War (1914-1918): the context
- The First World War (1914-1918): the consequences
- World conflicts: the Second World War (1939-1945) (2/3)
Source
Sheet “Recomposition de l’ordre mondial : la décolonisation” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.