Decolonization After 1945 Case Study

This essay will discuss decolonisation after 1945, specifically focusing on the experience in Hong Kong. I plan to look at and discuss the various aspects of the process of decolonization and the resulting consequences. I will analyse the aftermath of decolonization, which I believe created more problems than it solved. These problems include the lack of a working political structure, the complications that occurred in their struggle for freedom and the economic situation that the country was left in. It succeeded just in terms of self-determination, as it proved that the people had the abilities to fight for freedom and survive independently from a powerful nation. This national self-determination is defied by ‘the freedom of a nationality to determine its own political fate and manage its own affairs’ (Kulski, 1968). I will first explain the reasons decolonisation occurred and why so after 1945.
Decolonisation is described as ‘the measures intended eventually to terminate formal political control over colonial territories and to replace it by some new relationship’ (Hargreaves, 1996). Decolonization was caused due to the weakening of European colonial powers in the Second World War, the growth of nationalist movements in colonized
In 1984, there was more of an importance placed on constitutional matters and there were more political opportunities because of decolonization. Before that time these issues were rarely in the agenda of local social movements due to it being distant from the political reality. The struggle for democracy was a major concern of social activists in the 80s and 90s, with their aim being to deepen political reform before 1997. A representative government was established over a three-year period from 1985. This led to more pressure being on political parties and further political activism to take place (Ngo,