Anticolonialism

Anticolonialism refers to political, social, and intellectual movements that oppose colonial rule and the systems of domination that accompany it. It seeks self-determination, political sovereignty, and the end of foreign control over a people and territory. While rooted in nationalism, anticolonialism also critiques economic exploitation and cultural domination embedded in imperial rule. The term covers diverse strategies and eras, from early liberation struggles to modern postcolonial thought.

Historically, anticolonial movements emerged in the course of European expansion and intensified after the world wars. In the Americas, independence movements disrupted colonial empires in the early 19th century. In Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, organized resistance grew through nationalist parties, labor movements, and intellectual currents advocating self-government. The mid-20th century saw rapid decolonization, supported by international forums emphasizing self-determination.

Strategies ranged from nonviolent civil resistance and diplomatic mobilization to armed struggle and revolutionary organization. Leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Ho Chi Minh, and Kwame Nkrumah popularized nonviolent or inclusive tactics that challenged colonial legitimacy, while others pursued armed routes during wars and uprisings in Algeria, Kenya, Vietnam, and Mozambique. Alliances with international actors often shaped outcomes and timelines for independence.

Outcomes included the birth of new nation-states, border realignments, and ongoing debates about political and economic development. Anticolonialism contributed to evolving fields of postcolonial thought, criticism of neocolonialism, and regional solidarities. However, many formerly colonized societies faced challenges such as state-building, ethnic conflict, and dependence on former metropoles' economies.

Scholars debate the legacy of anticolonial movements. Supporters credit anticolonialism with ending imperial rule and advancing rights and national identity; critics highlight violence, disruption, and enduring inequality. The term thus denotes a broad, contested history in which the pursuit of self-determination intersects with global political change.