One of the most dramatic changes of the post war era were the breaking up of colonies and the decline of empire. Decolonization and self governing became a big trend. Unlike the former empires who dominated the world the world at the beginning of the century. Between 1945 and 1975, most of the former colonies of Africa and Asia became independent states. Things that took place to help shape what our world looks like today and reform and turn away the world from empire were, Wars of liberation, colonial powers fought to keep an empire that was once attested to world dominance. Cold War politics, the conflict between the Soviet union and the U.S forced countries to choose between the super powers to provide military aid and support. Ethnic and religious conflicts, nationalism was a big problem, and in countries like India their reform movements such as the partition did not help this problem New democracies were not prepared to be self governed and soon taken over by dictator powers.