Introduction
In the middle of the 19th century, France and Britain redirected their colonial ambitions away from North America and Asia. As time went on, Asian emperors and local elites found themselves in a battle to maintain their control in the face of European nations’ determination to expand their power across the world. France and Britain forged vast Asian empires over approximately 100 years by conquering territories and subjugating the local people.
Reason Britain Colonized India
One of the reasons why Britain colonized India is that its territory was rich with various resources, such as minerals, gold, and spices, which were very valuable good back then. In other words, the colonization of India would confer many benefits upon Britain, such as acquiring additional territory and resources (Rahman et al., 2018). Having such territory under its control would open new economic prospects for Britain. Using India as a base, Britain could exert its influence and rule over the region, making it possible for Britain to control trade in the region.
Method Britain Used to Colonize India
Throughout its colonization of India, the British Empire used the time-tested political tactic of weakening the territory by dividing it. Research stated that “most colonial policies and reforms were against the will and welfare of the people of India” (Rahman et al., 2018, p. 1). The invaders used the tactic to divide the local populace against one another to facilitate their control over the territory (Rahman et al., 2018). Many of the sovereign states that make up India were parties to treaties with the British, and the British also formed military and commercial alliances with these states.
Factors that Led to the Decolonization of India
The first factor that led to the decolonization of India was the fact that most of the European countries were weakened after World War II. The second factor is that national liberation movements rose in many of the colonies, including India, where Gandhi led civil disobedience campaigns. In August 1947, the decision was made to grant independence to the Indian subcontinent (Rahman et al., 2018). India was a developing country with a sizable population and played a significant role on the international stage.
Reason France Colonized Indochina
The desire to increase one’s economic position was one of the primary motivating factors, given that Indochina was abundant in natural resources such as tin and rubber. France also saw Indochina as a potential market for French goods and a way to reduce its trade deficit with China (Kang, 2018). France considered the colonization of Indochina as a political opportunity to increase its authority and influence in the region and compete with the expanding influence of the British Empire in the region.
Method France Used to Colonize Indochina
The primary strategy that France utilized in order to establish its colony consisted of a process of political control and military conquest. The French colonization of Indochina did not get off to a good start until the middle of the 19th century, when they first gained a foothold in the port city of Saigon (Kang, 2018). The formation of the French Indochinese Union in 1887 culminated in France’s steady expansion of its dominance over the surrounding region over several decades.
Factors that Led to the Decolonization of Indochina
The colonization of Indochina by France was characterized by several difficulties, including resistance from the indigenous tribes, challenging weather conditions, and sickness. In addition, the colony was frequently a source of financial strain for the French government due to the enormous costs associated with preserving authority over such a vast and diverse region (Kang, 2018). The economy of France especially decreased after World War II. The expulsion of the French from Indochina was caused primarily by the Japanese occupation. After returning to the territory of Indochina after World War II, the colonialists faced a strengthening Japanese communist movement that greatly affected the end results of the confrontation (Namba, 2019). Their main task was to prevent the import of weapons and fuel through French territories to weaken the region. Thus, the Japanese captured the French administrator’s and occupied the territories and maintained their position until the end of hostilities. The accumulation of these factors led to the decolonization of Indochina and the exile of French people from its territory.
The Similarity in the Decolonization of India and Indochina
Firstly, both the colonizers of India and Pakistan, which were Britain and France, granted independence to the nations after World War II. Both European countries faced economic and social challenges after WWII and during the Cold War. Both countries were in an unstable political situation at that time. India and Indochina grew their potential and were able to defeat their colonial rulers at the conclusion of the era of colonial rule, which resulted in decolonization and, consequently, the gaining of independence.
Differences in the Decolonization of India and Indochina
The crucial distinction was that France was not interested in decolonization of Indochina. French people, who spread Nazism movements in Indochina, were exiled from the territory of the colonized country. Britain, on the other hand, did not start a war with India and gave up its colony by taking its ships away from India’s shores. It is worth noting that the process of colonization of Indian territories is one of the longest in the history of the Second World War. Moreover, this process can be characterized as the most neutral and anti-colonial. Another difference is that after gaining its independence, India was divided into two separate countries. The British government, wishing to avoid an increase in the level of violent actions, took this step, however, it failed to avoid a conflict between Hindu and Muslim communities. (“Decolonization of British India,” n.d., para. 1). Thus, it affected the inner structure of the former state in contrast with France, where it remained the same.
Conclusion
The desire of Europeans to trade products led to the colonization of both India and Indochina. As a result of this goal, Europeans acquired land in India and Indochina, where they planted cash crops for export and employed laborers who were abused and isolated from their families, leading to colonialism in both areas. However, gradually colonization movements began to gain high importance, which began to occur on the occupied lands. Thus, the growth of independence movements appeared on the territory of India and Indochina. So, in these territories, opposition to the colonialists began, which was the result of the retreat of foreign powers and the creation of national states. Series of wars and other brutal conflicts played a special role in this process, but it is worth noting that the decolonization of India took place more neutrally and for longer than in other regions.
References
Decolonization of British India. (n.d.). CVCE. Web.
Kang, M. (2018). Francophonie en orient: Aux croisements france-asie (1840-1940). Amsterdam University Press.
Namba, C. (2019). The French colonization and Japanese occupation of Indochina during the Second World War: Encounters of the French, Japanese, and Vietnamese. Cross-Currents: East Asian History and Culture Review, 8(2), 518-547.
Rahman, A., Ali, M., & Kahn, S. (2018). The British art of colonialism in India: Subjugation and division. Peace and Conflict Studies.