The end of colonial rule in many African nations was marked by a series of decolonization movements primarily occurring in the mid-20th century. After World War II, the decline of European powers weakened their control over colonies, and rising nationalist sentiments fueled calls for independence. Notable examples include the Ghanaian independence in 1957 and the Algerian War for independence in the 1960s. These movements were characterized by struggles against oppression and colonial exploitation, resulting in the establishment of autonomous nations and significant shifts in geopolitical power on the continent.