That's a fair point but if a movement's strategy and tactics can't resist imperialism successfully then the what ifs of "what could have happened of not for the imperial powers" don't make sense to me. There will always be coups, sabotage, bombings, invasions, spies, traitors, etc. I'm not saying I know a better way but like surely the answer can be "if only they were left alone" because they never ever will be left alone.