The Successes of Decolonization

Ghana was the first country to gain independence from colonial rule in 1957.

The Indian National Congress was the leading political party in the movement for Indian independence.

Sukarno was the first President of Indonesia, serving from 1945 to 1967.

The Algerian War of Independence was a war between Algeria and France that lasted from 1954 to 1962.

Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast all gained independence from France in 1960.

The Kenya African National Union was the leading political party in the movement for Kenyan independence.

Jomo Kenyatta was the first President of Kenya, serving from 1964 to 1978.

The Zimbabwe African National Union was the leading political party in the movement for Zimbabwean independence.

Robert Mugabe was the first President of Zimbabwe, serving from 1980 to 2017.

Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, and Cape Verde all gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

The South West Africa People's Organization was the leading political party in the movement for Namibian independence.

Sam Nujoma was the first President of Namibia, serving from 1990 to 2005.

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania all gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Fretilin was the leading political party in the movement for East Timorese independence.

Xanana Gusmão was the first President of East Timor, serving from 2002 to 2007.