Key Points
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Entry of the Western Powers (China)
- China followed a policy of isolation in the early 19th century.
- Europeans entered China for commercial privileges in the mid-19th century.
- Portuguese settled in Macao, followed by the Dutch and the British.
- After the Opium Wars, China was forced to give Hong Kong to Britain.
- Treaty ports were opened and China was gradually divided into spheres of influence.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Taiping and Boxer Rebellion and Aftermath
- Taiping Rebellion (1850–64) was a religious and political reform movement in South China.
- The Taiping movement was suppressed by regional armies, weakening central authority.
- China was defeated by Japan in 1894–95 and lost large territories.
- Boxer Rebellion (1898–1900) was a violent anti-foreign movement against exploitation.
- The Boxers were defeated by an international army and China had to accept foreign terms.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > The Revolution of 1911
- In 1911, the supporters of Sun Yat-Sen revolted against the Manchu rule.
- The revolutionaries captured Nanking and made it the capital of the provisional Republic.
- Sun Yat-Sen was elected the first President of the Chinese Republic.
- The Manchu Emperor abdicated the throne in February 1912.
- The Republic was proclaimed over the whole of China.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Industrial Policy
- The Communist government nationalised most industries.
- Five Year Plans were introduced from 1953.
- Emphasis was laid on heavy industries like iron, steel and chemicals.
- Soviet Russia provided financial and technical assistance.
- Small industries were set up in rural areas to support agriculture.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Hundred Flowers Campaign (1957)
- Industrialisation created a new class of intellectuals and experts.
- Mao invited open criticism to improve government functioning.
- The slogan was “Let a hundred flowers bloom.”
- Critics questioned party control and lack of democracy.
- Mao withdrew the campaign and suppressed opposition.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > The Cultural Revolution (1966–69)
- Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution to preserve pure Marxist–Leninist ideals.
- He opposed the Russian model of industrialisation and expert domination.
- Mao appealed directly to the masses, especially students and youth.
- Red Guards attacked intellectuals, officials and institutions.
- The movement caused chaos and was officially ended in 1969.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Contribution of Mao Zedong
- Mao unified China after long periods of division and instability.
- He created the Red Army of China.
- His Five Year Plans and Great Leap Forward stabilised the economy.
- Mao adapted Communism to suit Chinese conditions.
- Under his leadership, China emerged as a powerful nation.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Retreat of Chiang Kai-Shek
- In 1937, Japan’s attack temporarily united the Communists and the KMT.
- Both parties jointly resisted Japanese aggression during the war.
- After Japan’s defeat in the Second World War, the civil war resumed.
- The Communists defeated the KMT and forced Chiang Kai-Shek to leave mainland China.
- Chiang and his supporters took refuge in Formosa (Taiwan) under US protection.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Agrarian Policy
- Land was taken from big landlords and redistributed among peasants.
- Land reforms aimed to end landlord exploitation.
- Peasants were encouraged to form cooperative farms.
- Farming was done with joint ownership of land and equipment.
- By 1956, about 95% peasants were organised into cooperatives.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Africa (Ghana) > Overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah
- Rapid industrialisation and heavy foreign borrowing caused economic problems.
- Fall in cocoa prices led to a serious balance of payments crisis.
- Nkrumah introduced one-party rule and established an authoritarian government.
- Laws like the Preventive Detention Act suppressed opposition and civil liberties.
- Growing unpopularity, corruption charges and military discontent led to his overthrow.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Africa (Ghana) > Background
- European powers colonised African countries mainly for commercial interests.
- During the Scramble for Africa, Britain and France acquired the largest territories.
- British control in the Gold Coast was established through trade, treaties and wars.
- After the Second World War, the Atlantic Charter encouraged demands for autonomy.
- Educated Africans opposed colonial rule, leading to the growth of African nationalism.
Key Points: Kenya: Conflict and Independence > Later Changes
- Kenyatta gradually shifted from radical nationalism to conservative politics.
- In 1969, all opposition parties were banned.
- Kenya effectively became a one-party state.
- Social tensions increased due to land issues and unemployment.
- Kenyatta died in 1978 and Daniel Moi became President.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Rule of Yuan-Shi-Kai
- Sun Yat-Sen resigned in favour of Yuan-Shi-Kai.
- Yuan-Shi-Kai ruled China with the support of the army.
- He governed as a military dictator, disappointing republican expectations.
- Yuan tried to restore monarchy and establish a new dynasty.
- His sudden death in 1916 ended the political crisis.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Role of Japan
- China did not directly participate in the First World War.
- Japan issued the Twenty-One Demands to make China a Japanese protectorate.
- Britain, France and Russia signed secret agreements supporting Japan.
- Under the Treaty of Versailles, Shantung province was given to Japan.
- This led to strong anti-Japanese agitation and popular unrest in China.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > The Kuomintang Party and the Communists
- The Kuomintang (National People’s Party) was founded by Sun Yat-Sen.
- Sun Yat-Sen had limited power outside the Canton region.
- He reorganised the KMT with Russian help.
- Michael Borodin helped transform KMT into a disciplined mass party.
- Party membership was opened to Communists who accepted KMT principles.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Chiang-Kai-Shek Era
- After Sun Yat-Sen’s death in 1925, Chiang-Kai-Shek became leader of the KMT.
- He received military training in Japan and Russia.
- Though supported by Soviet Russia, Chiang was not a Communist.
- In 1927, he purged Communists and Radicals from the KMT.
- He ended ties with Russian Communists and set up a Nationalist government at Nanking.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Long March of the Communists
- Chiang launched five military campaigns against the Communists (1930–34).
- Mao Zedong emerged as the leader of the Communists.
- The Communists retreated to mountainous regions to build the Red Army.
- In 1934, Mao led the Long March of over 6,000 miles to escape KMT forces.
- About 20,000 survivors reached Yenan, where a new Communist base was formed.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Causes of the Communist Victory
- The KMT and Nationalist army were weakened due to prolonged resistance against Japan.
- Chiang Kai-Shek and the KMT lost public support because of corruption and inefficiency.
- The KMT depended mainly on landlords and the wealthy classes, ignoring the masses.
- The Communists gained popular support by promising clean and efficient government.
- Communist troops were disciplined and people-friendly, increasing their popularity.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Establishment of the People’s Republic of China and Its Initial Problems
- After the Communist victory in 1949, Mao Zedong began rebuilding China.
- China was devastated by long civil war and the war with Japan.
- Roads, railways and canals were destroyed, causing food shortages.
- Industry was backward and agriculture was inefficient.
- Inflation was high and managing such a vast country was difficult.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Political Development
- After the defeat of the KMT, China became the People’s Republic in 1949.
- The Constitution was adopted in 1954.
- The National People’s Congress became the highest legislative authority.
- The State Council and Chairman were elected by the Congress.
- The Communist Party dominated the political system.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > Economic Development
- Mao Zedong began rebuilding China after the Communist victory.
- In the late 1950s, relations with Soviet Russia weakened.
- Chinese economic aid from Russia was gradually reduced.
- Mao introduced policies suited to Chinese conditions.
- The Great Leap Forward aimed at decentralisation of economic power.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Asia (China) > The Great Leap Forward
- Communes were introduced with collective farming and local self-governance.
- Families received a share of profits from commune production.
- Emphasis shifted from heavy industries to small rural industries.
- Public works like roads, dams and reservoirs were undertaken.
- In the long run, agricultural and industrial production increased.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Africa (Ghana) > Beginning of Nationalist Movement
- Nationalist opposition began in the 1920s after the introduction of indirect rule by Britain.
- The movement gained momentum in the 1940s after police firing on ex-servicemen in Accra.
- The United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) was formed in 1947 by Joseph Danquah and others.
- Kwame Nkrumah led mass movements through the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
- Ghana became independent on 6 March 1957 as a member of the Commonwealth.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Africa (Ghana) > Rule of Nkrumah (1957–1966)
- Kwame Nkrumah was the first Prime Minister and later President of Ghana.
- He followed socialist policies and aimed at rapid industrialisation.
- Ghana became fully independent and a Commonwealth republic in 1960.
- Welfare measures like free education, health care and development projects were introduced.
- Nkrumah supported Pan-Africanism and the Organization of African Unity.
Key Points: De-Colonisation in Africa (Ghana) > Fall of Nkrumah (1966)
- Nkrumah’s corruption and authoritarian rule created widespread dissatisfaction.
- The army turned against him due to growing unpopularity.
- On 24 February 1966, a military coup overthrew his government.
- The coup was led by Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka and the National Liberation Council.
- Nkrumah lived in exile and died in 1972 in Bucharest.
Key Points: Kenya: Conflict and Independence > Background – Conflict over Independence and Role of Kenyatta
- After the Second World War, African nationalism spread rapidly in Kenya.
- African soldiers experienced racial inequality during war service.
- Educated Africans opposed colonial exploitation and discrimination.
- International pressure forced Britain to consider granting independence.
- Britain aimed to retain influence through the Commonwealth (Neo-colonialism).
Key Points: Kenya: Conflict and Independence > Role of Kenyatta
- Jomo Kenyatta emerged as the main leader of the nationalist movement in Kenya.
- He united Africans against British colonial rule.
- Kenyatta highlighted land issues and racial injustice.
- He was imprisoned by the British but gained popular support.
- Under his leadership, Kenya moved towards independence.
Key Points: Kenya: Conflict and Independence > Problems in Kenya
- In 1962, a coalition government was formed with KANU and KADU.
- Elections were held in May 1963.
- KANU secured a majority in the Senate and House of Representatives.
- Kenya obtained internal self-government after the elections.
- Jomo Kenyatta became the President of Kenya.
Key Points: Kenya: Conflict and Independence > Kenyatta’s Rise to Power
- Nationalist Leadership: Jomo Kenyatta emerged as a leading nationalist and became President of the Kenya African Union in 1947.
- Demand for Independence: He demanded freedom from British rule and the return of African land taken by white settlers.
- Mau Mau Period: During the Mau Mau Rebellion, a state of emergency was declared in 1952.
- Imprisonment and Release: Kenyatta was imprisoned for six years and released in 1961 due to public pressure.
- Attainment of Power: Kenya became independent in 1963 and Kenyatta became Prime Minister and later President.
Key Points: Kenya: Conflict and Independence > Kenyatta Tenure (1963–1978)
- Kenyatta allowed whites to stay in Kenya if they accepted Kenyan citizenship.
- Many whites who did not accept citizenship left Kenya.
- Indians dominated trade but were mistrusted by Africans.
- Kenyatta followed a moderate and conciliatory domestic policy.
- He remained in power until his death in 1978.
Key Points: Kenya: Conflict and Independence > Foreign Policy
- Kenya officially followed a policy of non-alignment.
- In practice, Kenya adopted a pro-Western foreign policy.
- Kenya proposed an East African Union with Tanzania and Uganda.
- A loose East African Community was formed in 1967.
- The East African Community later collapsed and was dissolved.
Important Questions [12]
- Name the Nationalist Leader Under Whose Leadership Ghana Became Independent.
- Explain the Reasons for Nkrumah’S Downfall and Eventual Overthrow from Power in 1966.
- Answer the Following Question. What is the Most Important Reason for the Downfall of Kwame Nkrumah?
- Answer the Following Question. in the Context of the Rapid Growth of African Nationalism and Decolonization in Africa, Discuss : the Initial Achievements of Kwame Nkrumah in the Field of Internal and
- Discuss any four features of Nkrumah's policies that led to the collapse of his government in Ghana (1966).
- Mention any one challenge faced by Nkrumah after becoming the Prime Minister of Ghana.
- Discuss the Initial Achievements of Kwame Nkrumah in the Field of Internal and External Affairs of Ghana.
- Who Was the African Nationalist Leader of the Kenya African Unity Party (Kau) ?
- Answer the Following Question. in the Context of the Rapid Growth of African Nationalism and Decolonization in Africa, Discuss : Kenya’S Struggle for Freedom Under the Leadership Ofjomo Kenyatta.
- A de-colonisation movement started in Africa after the Second World War. In this context, examine the role of Jomo Kenyatta in Kenya's struggle for independence.
- What Part Did the Mau Mau Secret Society Play in the Kenyan Struggle for Freedom from British Rule?
- State any one difference between the freedom movement of Ghana and that of Kenya.
Concepts [7]
- Decolonisation in Asia (China)
- The Revolution of 1911
- Formation of the People’s Republic and Early Challenges
- Political Movements and Reforms under Mao Zedong
- Political Transition in Ghana (1957–1969)
- Kenya: Conflict and Independence
- Overview of De-Colonisation in Asia (China) and Africa (Ghana and Kenya)
