20.1: Introduction

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For the most part, the simplest way in which an independence movement might avoid superpower involvement was to steer clear of communist rhetoric. From Asia to Latin America, independence movements and rebel groups that adopted communist ideology were targeted by the US. By contrast, a country could fight for its independence and still stay in the good graces of the USSR without openly embracing communism.

Given the rapidity with which the empires collapsed, it is tempting to imagine that the European states peacefully relinquished their possessions. In some cases, European powers clung desperately to colonies. In others, large numbers of white settlers refused to be “abandoned”. That being noted, there were also colonies that achieved independence without the need for violent insurrection.