Why did the U.S. not want to support decolonization from World War II- Cold War, 1940s-1950s
What examples of colonization is this question referring to?
Actually we did support independence movements in colonies. Why we did so is open to debate. Here are two articles, one espousing the view that the U.S. sought to "contain" Communism and Soviet influence, and one that contends our interest in former colonies was purely economic:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/imperialism-the-cold-war-and-the-contradictions-of-decolonization/5334692
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_U.S._foreign_policy
In the Wikipedia article, note the table of contents and click on the cold war era.
For specific examples of American influence (and efforts to control) post-colonial nations, look into Indonesia, Viet Nam, Guatemala, and Iran. Chile, too, as late as 1973. There are others, but these stand out.
In each case, the United States, while espousing the development of democratic governments, overthrew democratically elected governments because they threatened U.S. economic interests. In the case of Iran, a popular government moved to nationalize oil extraction and kick out the big multi-national oil companies. The C.I.A. engineered the overthrow of that government in 1953 in order to protect the interests of U.S. and European oil companies. We did the same thing in Guatemala in 1954, but it was fruit, not oil, that prompted our actions. These are just two examples.
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To understand why the US did not fully support decolonization during the period of World War II and the Cold War (1940s-1950s), it is crucial to consider the geopolitical context of the time.
1. Strategic Allies: During World War II, the US formed alliances with several colonial powers, including Britain and France. These alliances were crucial for winning the war, and the US did not want to risk damaging their relationship with these countries by openly supporting decolonization struggles.
2. Anti-Communism: The Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union dominated international politics during this period. The US was highly concerned about the spread of communism and feared that the decolonization movement could potentially create favorable conditions for communist regimes to emerge. As a result, supporting the decolonization of colonized nations was seen as a risk, as they might align themselves with the Soviet Union.
3. Economic Interests: Many colonial powers possessed valuable resources in their colonies, and the US was keen on maintaining access to these resources for its own economic benefit. By supporting decolonization, the US feared that it could lose influence and access to these valuable resources.
4. Stability and Order: The US was primarily interested in maintaining stability in post-war Europe and around the world. Decolonization movements were often accompanied by social, political, and economic upheavals that could threaten stability. The US prioritized stability and order over supporting the aspirations of colonized nations.
It is important to note that US attitudes towards decolonization varied depending on the specific circumstances and region. In some cases, they did support decolonization efforts, but generally, these factors influenced their overall stance on decolonization during the 1940s-1950s.