JMBZ192 Europe’s Postcolonial Legacies

Winter Term 2018

Instructor: Dr Paul Flather, Fellow at Mansfield College, Oxford University. Course assistant at Charles University: Johana Kudrnová (johana.kudrnova@fsv.cuni.cz).

Requirements:

(exam, 6 ECTS)

1. Full attendance record (exceptions need to be discussed in advance with the instructors or the course assistant), active participation in seminars (20 per cent of final mark)

2. Final essay on topic assigned by instructors. Length 2000 words (+/- 10 per cent). Citations required (recommended standard ISO 690-2). To be sent to Johana Kudrnová by 1 June 2018. Essays should be submitted in Word or PDF format (80 per cent of final mark).

Programme:

(All classes are held at Staromestske namesti 1 in the premises of the Department of European Studies – room STAN317)

March - Session 1

Lecture 1. Tuesday 20 March, 14:30-16:30

Introduction: The End of Empires

- an overview of decolonialisation from the 18th century to 1970s

Lecture 2. Wednesday 21 March, 10:00-12:00

The transmission of ideas of reform

- anti-slavery, racism, Orientalism, self-determination and human rights

Lecture 3. Wednesday 21 March, 14:30-16:30

How and why the British left India?

- the impact of the 1857 Indian 'rebellion'
- the impact of Gandhian ideas and leadership
- the legacy of Partition between India and Pakistan

Lecture 4. Thursday 22 March, 14:30-16:00

How France was forced to leave Indochina

- a failure to withdraw?
- the new Communist threat
- the Vietnam War and its legacy on the West

April - Session 2
Lecture 5. Tuesday 24 April, 14:30-16:30

After 1945 - a new post-colonial world order

- new multi-lateral organisations
- the UN and the Human Rights

Lecture 6. Wednesday 25 April, 10:00-12:00

Britain and the new Commonwealth

- in searching for a role after Empire

Lecture 7. Wednesday 25 April, 14:30-16:30

France and the struggle over Algeria

- a study of colonial legacy changing national politics
- the legacy of migration and religious controversy
- short presentations from students: on other colonial exits / post-colonial legacies

Lecture 8. Thursday 26 April, 14:30-16:00

Post-colonialism in Europe

- trade and migration
- debates on citizenship, refugees and multi-culturalism
- discussion of new forms of colonialism eg. American soft and hard power, Chinese economic colonialism, Russian dominance
- closing debate on responsibilities and reparations

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Proposed essay topics:

Session 1

1. “The problem of the 20^th century has been colour.” Discuss this view of W Du Bois in the context of de-colonization, and post-colonial legacies in Europe, with examples.

2. Examine the key reasons for the growth of independence among former European colonies in the aftermath of the Second World War.

3. “At the stroke of the midnight hour… India will awake to life and freedom.” What key factors led to this clarion call from Nehru in 1947, and the end of the British Raj after 200 years? How was/is freedom safeguarded in the new Indian Republic?

4. Was the Partition of India caused by too much haste on the part of the British to end their rule of the country? How has Partition led to dispute and conflict in the years after Independence?

5. Discuss the ideas and role of M.K.Gandhi in the movement for decolonization in India, and globally.

Session 2

6. Why were the French so determined to retain control of Algeria, but not Morroco and Tunisia? Assess their strategies and explain in ou think they were mistaken?

7. Is the British Commonwealth just a a colonial legacy or can it be a viable body that promotes good governance and gives a voice to scores of smaller nations? Give example to back your arguments.

8. The Portuguese were the last European colonists to relinquish control of their colonies. Discuss why, and how continuing conflict shaped the futures of Angola and Mozambique?

9. What is meant by the term "guerrilla war" and why has it been successful? Why were such "guerrillas" able to resist first French and then American power?

10. Do you agree that a colonized nation and people can never fully escape their past? Explain why and discuss with regard to at least one detailed case study, and the work of Edward Said and other critics, and give some examples from literature and other sources.

11. Are we now in a post-colonial age? Discuss with reference to new forms and examples of neo-colonialism or imperialism.

12. Should rich European nations pay reparations to their former colonies ? Discuss with reference to ideas of colonialism, post-colonialism, and at least three examples or case studies.