Colonization and Decolonization

In colonialism a foreign power controlled land and resources. For exams remember political and economic control together.

Under colonial rule local people's rights were often limited. For exams remember lack of representation.

Raw materials and markets were major economic reasons for colonialism. For exams identify economic interest separately.

Decolonization makes a country free from foreign rule. For exams connect it with self determination.

Cash crops were linked with colonial trade and profit. For exams connect them also with pressure on peasants.

The partition of British India took place in 1947 with independence of India and Pakistan. For exams remember partition and independence together.

Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, gained independence from Britain on 4 February 1948. Portugal and the Netherlands had controlled parts of the island earlier, but Britain was the colonial power at the time of independence. Exam tip: remember Sri Lanka (Ceylon) — 1948 — Britain.

Myanmar, formerly called Burma, became independent from British rule on 4 January 1948. Its independence followed the political changes in British India and the wider movement of Asian peoples against colonial rule. Remembering the former name is useful because many historical sources discuss Burma even though the modern country is called Myanmar. The date belongs to the early post-war wave of Asian decolonization.

Option B is correct because 1948 is the year of Myanmar’s independence. The nearby alternatives can be confusing: 1947 relates to important political changes and agreements in the region, but it was not the final independence year for Myanmar. The other listed years do not mark this event. Therefore, the best answer is the date that identifies the formal end of British colonial rule in Myanmar.

Vietnam was a major part of French Indochina, which also included Laos and Cambodia. Thailand was not formally colonised by France, while Malaysia and Indonesia were mainly under British and Dutch influence respectively. Exam tip: Remember French Indochina as Vietnam–Laos–Cambodia.

Cambodia was linked with French colonial influence. For exams connect Cambodia with French Indochina.

Laos was part of French Indochina, a colonial region controlled by France. French Indochina mainly included Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. British India was a South Asian territory under British rule, so it is not the correct option. Exam tip: Remember Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia together as French Indochina.

The Philippines gained independence from the United States in 1946. For exams remember the Philippines with the USA.

Tunisia became independent from French control. For exams remember the link between North Africa and France.

Morocco was linked with French colonial influence. For exams remember Morocco and North Africa.

Libya gained independence in 1951. For exams connect it with North African decolonization.

Sudan gained independence in 1956. For exams place it in the timeline of African decolonization.

Somalia gained independence in 1960. For exams remember the background of the Year of Africa.

Senegal was linked with French colonial influence. For exams remember Senegal and Leopold Senghor.

Cote d'Ivoire was linked with French West Africa. For exams remember French African colonies.

Many African countries gained independence in 1960. For exams treat it as a major wave of African decolonization.