Decolonization Timeline

-The Japanese invasion and subsequent occupation in 1942–45 during WWII ended Dutch rule, and encouraged the previously suppressed Indonesian independence movement. Two days after the surrender of Japan in August 1945, nationalist leader, Sukarno, declared independence and became president.

-The French ruled Laos as a protectorate (independent colony), which provided Laotians with supervision by the imperial nation.
-Laos' short time as an independent nation had induced an anti-French colonialism spirit among Laotians.
-When the French conceded their loss of control over the area, the Pathet Lao was allowed to control north Laos where they continued the union with Minh.
-the Pathet Lao took control of Laos and created the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975.

-When Japan formally surrendered to the Allies on September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh felt emboldened enough to proclaim the independent Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
-French forces seized southern Vietnam and opened talks with the Vietnamese communists.
-Hours after Japan’s surrender in World War II, Vietnamese communist Ho Chi Minh declares the independence of Vietnam from France.

-The Indian independence movement first gained momentum at the beginning of the 20th century, and after World War I Gandhi organized the first of his many effective passive-resistance campaigns in protest of Britain’s oppressive rule in India.
-British promises weren't kept so Gandhi with the help of other performed a nonviolent protests.
-In 1947 the Indian National Congress reluctantly accepted the creation of Pakistan to appease the Muslim League and conclude the independence negotiations.

-In 1947 the Indian National Congress reluctantly accepted the creation of Pakistan to appease the Muslim League and conclude the independence negotiations.

-While the French Government advocated a system of joint sovereignty within the French Union, Bourguiba stepped up his campaign for Tunisian independence
-1955 a government composed entirely of Tunisians was formed.
-On 20 March 1956, negotiations between France and Tunisia resulted in full independence for Tunisia.

-Mau Mau Rebellion: a war in British colony, Kenya against freedom army (Mau Mau)
-Issues like the expulsion of Kikuyu tenants from settler farms, loss of land to white settlers, poverty, and lack of true political representation for Africans provided the impetus for the revolt.
-Over in 1960 and Kenya gained independence in 1963

-In 1946, Cambodia was granted self-rule within the French Union and had its protectorate status abolished in 1949.
-November 9, 1953 gained independence

-Kwame Nkrumah's Gold Coast government issued a white paper with proposals for Gold Coast's independence
-The British Government stated it would agree to a firm date for independence if a reasonable majority for such a step were obtained in the Gold Coast Legislative Assembly after a general election.
-Ghana became independent in 1957

-On 6 November 1955, French Foreign Minister Antoine Pinay and Mohammed Ben Youssef signed the La Celle-St-Cloud agreements, which led to the independence of Morocco and to the Sultan’s return to the throne as Mohammed V.
-Morocco officially gained independence on 2 March 1956 after the signing of a joint declaration in Paris to replace the Treaty of Fez that had established the protectorate in 1912.

-the French Fourth Republic collapsed due to political instability and its failures in dealing with its colonies
-France's colonies were to be given a stark choice between more autonomy in a new French Community and immediate independence in the referendum to be held on 28 September 1958.
-voted for independence and French claimed itself sovereign and independent republic.

-On 26 July 1965, Maldives gained independence under an agreement signed with United Kingdom.
-The British government retained the use of the Gan and Hitaddu facilities. In a national referendum in March 1968, Maldivians abolished the sultanate and established a republic.

-When the war ended, Singapore reverted to British control, with increasing levels of self-government being granted, culminating in Singapore's merger with the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia in 1963.
-social unrest and disputes between Singapore's ruling People's Action Party and Malaysia's Alliance Party resulted in Singapore's expulsion from Malaysia.
-Singapore became an independent republic on 9 August 1965.

Indonesia

Lao

Vietnam

India

Pakistan

Tunisia

Kenya

Cambodia

Ghana

Morocco

Guinea

Maldives

Singapore