- Non-Aligned Movement
- neutralism
- 20th-century international relations - Total Cold War and the diffusion of power, 1957–72
- 20th-century international relations - Great Britain and decolonization
- 20th-century international relations - Asian wars and the deterrence strategy
- diplomacy - Decolonization and the beginnings of the Cold War
How did Cold War politics affect postcolonial struggles for independence?
Cold War politics significantly shaped the postcolonial era by forcing newly independent nations to navigate the competing interests of the United States and the Soviet Union. As dozens of states in Asia and Africa gained independence following World War II, the superpowers sought to extend their influence beyond Europe, often viewing regional conflicts through the lens of their own global competition.123
In response to this pressure, many newly sovereign nations adopted neutralism, a policy of avoiding formal alliances with either the Western or Communist blocs. This approach culminated in the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement, which advocated for national self-determination and collective action against imperialism. While these states were wary of being drawn into new forms of dependence, they often utilized their nonaligned status to secure economic assistance from both power blocs.45
Ultimately, the Cold War expanded the global arena of international relations, as new states used forums like the United Nations to assert their sovereignty and challenge the influence of former colonial powers.62