After World War II, the European empires could no longer be sustained. The War had further weakened the European powers. In addition, issues raised by the War, namely Fascist and Japanese efforts to create empires, undercut the idea that European power was unassailable. And Communist/Socialist ideology undercut moral justification of European empires. In addition, Socialist parties opposed to colonialism power or influenced public policies in Europe. At the same time, Socilist ideology achieved wide currency in the West. The Soviet Union also promoted anti-colonial policies and lent aid to Communist parties in the colonies. Perhaps more importnt, weaponry provided by the Soviets made it impossible for the Europens to direct the decolonization process or slow it down to give Third World leaders and populations time to more carefully pursue the process. Many nationalists saw the weakness of the colonial regimes and independence movements grew in strength. Among these movements there was little support for either democracy or capitalism. Here the British decession to grant independence to India was a major turning point (1947). The decolonization process varied greatly from country to country. India had been the jewel in the Crown. And unlike the rest of the Third World, the Indians did embrace democracy, but the new leaders like other Third World leaders were convinced that Socialism was not only more just, but was aaster route to economic development. World War II has inspired nationalist groups in the European colonies, especially in the countries occupied by the Japanese. Fascist propganda had proven effective in the Arab world. Britain's decession on India meant that it was only a matter of time before other colonies were granted independence.
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