Breaking Empire: Case Studies in Decolonization and Nation Building MTA
Region-by-region analyses of the end of empire and the complex processes of founding modern nation-states in the 20th century

About this book:

*Breaking Empire: Case Studies in Decolonization and Nation Building* provides a comprehensive regional analysis of the collapse of 20th-century imperialism and the tumultuous birth of modern nation-states. Spanning Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, this volume moves beyond the simple narrative of independence as a single event, instead framing it as a complex, uneven process of negotiation, conflict, and statecraft. By utilizing archival case studies—ranging from the violent partitions of India and Palestine to the revolutionary wars in Algeria and Vietnam—the book explores how political elites and grassroots movements navigated the institutional legacies of empire to forge new sovereign identities.

The text delves into the practical mechanics of nation-building, examining the drafting of constitutions, the management of ethnic cleavages, and the influence of Cold War geopolitics on fledgling states. It highlights the diverse paths to sovereignty, contrasting the gradual constitutionalism of Jamaica and Barbados with the sudden, chaotic withdrawals seen in the Congo and the late handovers of Hong Kong and Macau. Through these twenty-five detailed case studies, *Breaking Empire* offers a vital reflection on how colonial-era boundaries and legal structures continue to shape contemporary global politics, making it an essential resource for understanding the persistent afterlives of empire.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Explores diverse decolonization trajectories across Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, showcasing peaceful transitions, revolutionary wars, and late handovers.
• Analyzes the complex interplay of internal nationalist movements, international diplomacy, and Cold War geopolitics in shaping new nation-states.
• Examines critical challenges in post-colonial state-building, including ethnic cleavages, economic development, and the enduring legacies of imperial institutions.
• Highlights the pivotal roles of charismatic leaders, mass mobilization, and constitutional engineering in the transfer of sovereignty.
• Investigates the unique cases of regions like the Palestine Mandate and South Africa, where decolonization involved contested partitions or the dismantling of internal racialized rule.

Who's It For:

This book is essential for students, scholars, and anyone interested in the history of the 20th century, decolonization, international relations, and nation-building. It provides detailed, region-by-region analyses that will particularly benefit those seeking to understand the complex origins of contemporary political landscapes in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.