Decolonization is the process by which colonies gain independence from the colonizing country, undoing colonial domination and control over land, people, and culture. It involves political independence but also extends to cultural, psychological, and economic freedom, especially for Indigenous peoples seeking sovereignty and self-determination over their lands and systems

. Historically, decolonization occurred in waves, notably after World War II, when many European powers lost their colonies due to weakened economic and political power and rising nationalist movements in colonized regions. Examples include India’s independence from Britain in 1947, the French withdrawal from Vietnam in 1954, and the end of Portuguese colonies in Africa in the 1970s

. Beyond political independence, decolonization also refers to dismantling colonial legacies embedded in social, cultural, and psychological structures. This broader understanding includes reclaiming Indigenous cultures, languages, and knowledge systems, and challenging colonial ideologies that perpetuate inequality and oppression

. In summary, decolonization is both a historical process of ending formal colonial rule and an ongoing effort to address and reverse the lasting impacts of colonialism on societies and Indigenous peoples worldwide.