“What could be more natural than for people to seek to rule themselves” (p. 693).
I thought this idea was so simple yet some complex. Europeans have occupied every livable continent on this planet, seeming to literally take over the world. At the beginning of the 20th century, a nation’s political power and validity as a world power was related to the land they held, including territories and colonial rule. Especially with the world wars, nationalism and the idea of freedom were growing in the hearts of people all over the world. Something had to give, because increasing demand for freedom was not silenced easily. How long can a small group of people really maintain power over large populations (as was the case in many parts of Asia and Africa)?
In order to maintain control over the people in the colonies, they were not allowed to be educated or hold a position of leadership, political or otherwise. The desire for a strong empire and nationalism is what build Europe, but now nationalism has spread outside of Europe to other colonies, nations, peoples, is bringing Europe down.
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