Final answer:
2. France and the 1. Netherlands lost control over their African colonies following World War II, which was catalyzed by economic hardship and the push for decolonization.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the end of World War II, 2. France and the 1. Netherlands were among the nations that lost control of their African colonies due to tough economic times. European colonialism in Africa was robust until the impact of World War II led to economic depletion among European countries.
While forced labor was ended and a degree of self-rule allowed in some colonies, like those of France, what the African subjects most wanted was independence. Nationalistic movements and the desire for self-determination grew stronger, and many colonies engaged in struggles that eventually led to their independence.
The UN's objective to oversee <*strong>decolonization also influenced the transition from colonies to independent nations, though it took several decades for this process to reach its completion.