The process by which colonies gained independence from their imperial rulers, dismantling colonial political, economic, and cultural structures. This movement accelerated dramatically after World War II, transforming the global political landscape.
From the prefix 'de-' (removal) plus 'colonization,' the term emerged in the mid-20th century to describe the systematic undoing of colonial rule. It encompasses both the political process of gaining independence and the broader cultural reclamation of indigenous identities and institutions.
Try Another Word