Example of Primary Sources

Investigation

Factors that predisposed to the emancipation of peoples colonized by the European powers, from the Second World War.

After the weakening of the colonialist empires, English, French, Italian, Belgian, and Dutch, as a direct consequence of the confrontation that These powers had with Germany in the Second World War, the independence of several colonies was achieved both by peaceful means (as in the case of India and Pakistan with respect to England), or by violent means, (as in the case of most of the African countries colonized by countries Europeans.

In addition to the desire for freedom that the peoples subjected to European colonization had, there were factors within them colonizing societies that did not want the colonization of other nations, as this transcription made by Martin Bormann from a conversation made by Adolf hitler in 1945 referring to the rejection they had towards the colonization of other peoples and their subjugation by the flat social strata of France.

“… We have failed in our duty and ignored our interests by not liberating, since 1940, the French proletariat. Similarly, by not liberating the French protectorates from across the sea.

The people of France would not have taken us ill, surely, if we unloaded them from the burden of empire. In that domain, the people of that country have always displayed better common sense than their supposed elites. Better than his elites he possesses the instinct of the true interest of the nation. Under Louis XV, like bass Juls Ferry, has rebelled against the absurdity of colonial companies. I have never known that Napoleon it would have been unpopular to have negotiated with Louisiana. On the contrary, the disaffection that his incapable nephew earned for waging a war in Mexico was surprising... "

Where it is evident the anti colonialist sentiment that prevailed in the lower social strata of France, (and of other European nations) who did not agree with the submission exerted by the European rulers, over other peoples as happened in the colonized countries, being one of the factors that influenced the subsequent emancipations of the colonies.

June 12, 1940.

Dearest Lu,

The battle is over. Today a corps chief and four division chiefs came forward,Meet me in the market square of St. Valéry, after my division forced them to surrender.

Unforgettable moments.

June 14, 1940.

Dearest Lu,

I went to Havre, proceeding to an inspection of the city. Everything has happened there without bloodshed. With long-range artillery we are now firing at targets at sea. Today a transport has caught fire.

You can imagine my feelings, when twelve generals of the English and French armies appeared before me to receive orders in the market place of St. Valéry. In particular, we were delighted by the presence of the British General captured with his division. It was all filmed, and I have no doubt that it will appear on the news.

We are enjoying a few days off. I don't think the fighting will continue in France. In some places they have even thrown us flowers in passing. The people rejoice that the war is over for them.

June 16, 1940.

Dearest Lu,

This morning, before leaving for the south (five and thirty minutes), I received your dear letter of the 10th, for which I thank you most sincerely. Today we cross the Seine, in the second line, and I think we will go a long way on the south side. With the fall of Paris and Verdun, and a deep breach in the Maginot Line near Saabrücken, the war seems to be turning into a more or less peaceful occupation of France. The population is well disposed towards us, and in some places even friendly.