Many colonies once ruled by the European powers achieved their independence during the Cold War. This occurred either through a voluntary release, such as Britain leaving India. Or through a fight for independence such as Algeria's rebellion against France.
As part of this movement, representatives of twenty-nine African and Asian countries attended the Bandung Conference in Indonesia in 1955. These twenty-nine countries contained a population of 1.5 billion people, all black and brown. Under the leadership of Indonesia, India and Egypt, the representatives gathered to support each other. The leaders sought a way that the "third world" countries could avoid taking sides with either the United States or the Soviet Union.
Out of the Conference, a group of Principles were established (see below) as guiding principles for the establishment of the Non-alignment Nations founding in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1961. Unfortunately many of the countries would be unable to avoid the Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union.
One of the major achievements of the post World War II world was the independence of many former colonies. Below is the year, the country and the former colonial power:
Things Fall Apart by Established in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1961 (based on the Principles of the Bandung Conference of 1955). These are the original members 1n 1961.
Respect for fundamental human rights and for the purposes and principles of the charter of the United Nations
Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations
Recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nationslarge and small
Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs ofanother country
Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself, singly or collectively, in conformity with the charter of the United Nations
(a) Abstention from the use of arrangements of collective defence to serve any particular interests of the big powers
(b) Abstention by any country from exerting pressures on other countries
Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country
Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, such asnegotiation, conciliation, arbitration or judicial settlement as well as otherpeaceful means of the parties own choice, in conformity with the charter of the united nations
Promotion of mutual interests and cooperation
Respect for justice and international obligations.
