The U.S. Press on worldwide decolonization (1946-1948)

Introduction. The paper is devoted to the problem of developing approaches to studying decomposition of colonial system after 1945 in the U.S. press. The gradual disintegration of colonial empires connected with the growth of national movements and essential weakening of powers in mother countries became one of the most important results of World War II. The process of colonies disintegration was synchronous with genesis of new global opposition of the former allies on the anti-Hitlerite coalition. Methods and materials. The paper is based on materials of both democratic and republican editions of the U.S. press. The solution of the set research task required the use of chronological approaches allowing to study the multiaspect nature of the historical situation - the American society’s attitude to decolonization, the national movements, etc. Analysis. The Cold War and search of the optimum relations with the closest ally of the USA - Great Britain demanded new approaches and views of decolonization process. At the same time, ambitions of the White House, on the one hand, supporting disintegration of colonial empires, and, on the other hand, diligently trying to replace the former empires led to a number of contradictions with the European states. All complexity of this situation was reflected also in the press trying to create understanding of the new process in which America was involved. During difficult search of an optimum way and a view of decolonization in the American press, several opposite points of view have been developed. Results. Thus, studying the attitude of the largest American editions and the most noticeable journalists is of interest to the analysis of how the USA power and population gradually realized the place of the country in the new system of the international relations, looked for optimum ways of interaction both with the closest allies, and with a number of the new independent states which appeared on the international scene.