Various African nations employed decolonization as a political strategy during the 20th century to gain independence from colonial powers. This movement often included a combination of political activism, negotiation, and, in some instances, armed conflict. Countries sought to reclaim sovereignty and establish self-governance after years of foreign domination. The strategy utilized was often influenced by international trends, such as the Cold War dynamics, which saw both U.S. and Soviet support for anti-colonial efforts. Ultimately, this led to a wave of independence movements across the continent.