Decolonization & Independence

1. Decolonization & Independence

2. Background • During the postwar era, many Third World countries, along with others, demanded to attain independence. • Some countries, such as England did loosen their grip on many of these nations. • Others, like France, fought to keep Indochina • While many countries aligned themselves with either the USA or USSR in order to gain attention; many others stayed non-aligned

3. In 1931 Britain issued the Statute of Westminster which converted the British Empire into the British Commonwealth • The Statute also allowed varying degrees of autonomy • During World War II the old colonial powers of Britain and France called upon and received help from their former colonies • After the war many of the colonies expected independence in recognition of their contributions • Between 1945 and 1970 dozens of independent nations were created – sometimes peacefully sometimes with violence

4. Middle East

5. Most of the world’s crude oil comes from the Middle East • However much of the revenue from oil has stayed in the pockets of the a small and influential group of people • In the Middle East there are huge disparities between the wealthy and the poor • The oil producing nations formed The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1960 to monitor the price and supply of crude oil • Other problems include issues of religion, which have dominated the Middle East

6. Egypt • The jewel of the Middle East was Egypt because of its high oil resources and the Suez Canal. • In 1954, Colonel Nasser took control of the government and promoted a policy of pan-Arabism • He created the United Arab Republic, but his attempts to unite all Arab nations failed • In 1956 he took control of the Suez Canal, and British, French and Israeli troops tried to retake the CanalThe USSR and US both persuaded the the British, French, and Israelis to withdraw.

7. Nasser chose to side with the Soviet Union and not the western states • The Soviets sent advisors, technicians, and resources to Egypt and help construct the Aswan Dam • Eventually the Soviets tried to exert too much control and Nasser kicked them out • In 1970 Nasser died and he was replaced by Anwar Sadat, who was responsible for Egypt moving closer to the United States • In 1978 Sadat became the first Arab leader to recognize Israel

8. Israel • During World War I the British gained control of PalestineAfter World War I, in the Balfour Declaration, Britain proposed the creation of a Jewish state. But the move was delayed to prevent Arab unrest • After the Holocaust in WWII, many people became sympathetic to the Jewish cause • In 1948 with support from the United States, Palestine was split into both a Jewish and Arab state, displacing millions of Arabs and sparking much controversy. • Ever since their has been much conflict and fighting in the area, as is evident with the Six Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

9. Palestine Liberation Organization • The Palestine Liberation Organization was founded in 1964 to protect the Palestinian people • In 1968 Yasser Arafat became the chairman of the PLO • In 1972, PLO terrorists murdered Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympic games. • Today, steps are being taken to reduce the radical practices in favor of more political action.

10. Camp David Accords • In 1978, Anwar Sadat of Egypt met with President Jimmy Carter and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David. • Egypt agreed to recognize Israel as a free and legitimate Jewish state in return for the Sinai Peninsula.

11. Iran • Between 1920 and 1979 the shahs ruled Iran with aid from Western powers like the USA. They were often disliked because they allied themselves with the Christian nations and ruled with iron fists. • The shah’s regime wore western clothes, they opposed traditional Islamic practices, and they used the secret police (SAVAK) to arrest dissenters • In 1979 in response to the shah’s rule, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, led a coup to overthrow the shah. • The Shiite Ayatollah came into power, creating a theocratic dictatorship based on Islamic fundamentalism.

12. The Hostage Siege • He seized the American Embassy in Teheran, holding the hostages 444 days. • In 1980, Iran went to war with Iraq • The United States secretly supported Iraq, a move which had serious repercussions later • The war lasted 8 years and devastated both countries

13. Iraq • In 1979, Saddam Hussein took over Iraq and ruled as a dictator. He used poison gas to exterminate his own people, the Kurds. • In 1980, he attacked his enemy Iran, hoping for a quick end. However, it soon became a war of attrition lasting eight years and causing severe devastation for both sides. • In 1990 Hussein successfully invaded neighboring Kuwait • The United States responded by forming a coalition of allies to liberate the oil-rich Kuwait

14. Today many Arab nations are struggling with the issue of western decadence against religious conservativism • Many Arabs, especially those of the upper class are much more comfortable with the cultural attachments of the western world than they are with the demands of traditional Islam • As long as the western world depends upon oil the national aspirations of any country in the Middle East will be closely watched and monitored by the West

15. Africa

16. Africa • After World War II, more and more African nations, such as Kenya, called for independence and recognition as free states. • However, the many varied cultures, languages, etc. on the continent impeded a unified stand for independence. • Pan-Africanism promoted universal freedom and independence; however the movement was fairly ineffective.

17. North Africa • In 1951, Libya gained its independence from Italy just 8 years before the discovery of oil, making it one of Africa’s richest countries. • After World War II, many countries began opposing French rule, leading to the independence of Tunisia and Algeria. • Julius Nyerere, the Tanzanian president, issued the Arusha Declaration of 1967, which limited incomes and tried to create a society of economic stability.

18. South Africa • Angola and Mozambique both gained independence from Portugal in 1975. • Racism in the country of South Africa was apparent back to the Dutch in the 1600s. • In 1948, Afrikaners won political power and forced the apartheid, or separation, which encouraged fierce racism and segregation. • In 1989, de Klerk became president, released Mandela from prison, and legalized the African National Congress, ending the apartheid. In 1994 true democracy was established when free elections were held, electing Nelson Mandela as president.

19. Mexico • In 1988 Carlos Salinas de Gortari was elected president of Mexico and immediately made reforms, joining NAFTA and allying Mexico with the USA. • Many, however, oppose his reforms due to their slow nature and limited effects on the lower class. • Over the years, the Mexican economy has proved to be a crucial part of the US economy.

20. Central America: Drugs • One of the main problems in Central America is drugs; mainly the harvesting and production of marijuana and cocaine. • However, this has also been a stable source of income for many local peasants where other sources of money are scarce; thus, this creates difficult economic and social issue.

21. Japan • Japan has developed exponentially in the past half century due to close economic ties with the USA, being called the “Japanese miracle.” • After World War II, they developed a democratic government similar to many western nations. • The prime ministers (Hosokawa and Hashimoto) continued to pledge to clean up corruption.

22. “Little Tigers” • Unlike other nations in the world, many Asian countries have enjoyed remarkable success during the post-war era. • The Asian miracle has had a ripple effect that has benefited many of the smaller countries because they copied Japan and focused on an export-based economic system • Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand became known as the “Little Tigers”

23. Taiwan • In 1954, Taiwan and the USA formed a security treaty in which the USA promised to protect the island from invading Communists. • Within 2 decades, the island had a booming economy, and after the death of Chang Kai-shek, the island moved closer towards democracy. • It continues to wish to remain independent from mainland China.

24. South Korea • The Korean War left bitter tensions in South Korea. • In 1961 General Chung Hee Park took over and set up an economic system similar to the Japanese model. • Over the years, the government has become more unstable due to assassinations and violent protests. • One notable protest caused the deaths of over 2000 protesters.

25. India • After World War II, the British Empire, which had formerly refused talks of Indian independence, sought talks with Indian officials. • Muslims wanted an independent state and on the Day of Direct Action over 6000 Muslims and Hindus were killed in what was called the Great Calcutta Killing. • In 1947, the Muslim state of Pakistan was created and rest of the country became India. • In 1948, Gandhi, an advocate of passive resistance, was assassinated. • Continuous ethnic fighting resulted between both India and Pakistan as the Congress Party fought for power in the region

26. Pakistan • Pakistan soon went to war after it was created in order to solve land disputes. It quickly won, creating the country of Bangladesh. • Bangladesh continues to suffer due to its high population and lack of natural resources. • The Pakistanis developed relations with the USA in order to try to check the constant growth and threat of India.

27. Philippines • The country has been known for corruption in the government. • Marcos held fraudulent elections and was forced to flee the country. • Time and time again people were elected and lost favor with the public, causing them to leae office and create turbulent times.

28. Latin America • After World War II, many Latin American nations began to industrialize but quickly found few markets for their goods. • Governments relied on the aid of the USA and Great Britain. • The poor workers soon began to find communist philosophies appealing. • One of the continual problems has been the constant population growth, as many of these nations cannot properly care for their people.

29. Argentina • Before the Great Depression, Argentina was one of the wealthiest countries in the world. • Led by Juan Peron, the country grew, as did his popularity. • In the 1974, after his death, his wife Isabel became the first female president in the western hemisphere. • In 1982, the nation embarked on the Falkland Islands War to solidify its power. However, they were humiliated by the British. • Inflation rose, but slowly the country regained its prowess by creating tariff free markets.

30. Chile • In 1970, the Marxist Salvador Allende was elected president. • His philosophies, though some good, were feared by many opposing communism like the USA. • In 1973, the CIA along with others stage a coup in favor of a dictator. • In 1988 public elections were held, leading towards democracy. • Today Chile has one of the strongest economies in Latin America.

31. Cuba • Cuba was originally controlled by Batista, a US ally, until Fidel Castro overthrew him in 1958. • Castro slowly moved towards to the Soviets, declaring himself a Marxist, which forced the US to cut off trade with the nation. • In 1961 the CIA launched the Bay of Pigs, a blundering attempt to take back Cuba. • In 1963, Kennedy discovered a plot to put nuclear weapons on the island. He immediately blockaded the island, putting the Soviets and USA toe to toe. Eventually the situation ended peacefully, but relations were never quite the same.

32. Nicaragua • In 1937 the Somoza family gained control of Nicaragua and remained in control until 1979. • In 1978, a civil war exploded, causing chaos. • The Sandinistas, a political group associated with the Communists, gained control but were opposed by the Contras. • Secretly, members of the Reagan administration supplied the Contras, an embarrassing episode known as the Iran-Contra Scandal. • In 1990, both sides agreed to peaceful elections.

33. El Salvador • Many similar problems arose in El Salvador. Rich farmers hired killing squads to eliminate any peasants who opposed the government. • A civil war soon erupted after the assassination of archbishop Romero. • In 1980 US supported Duarte was elected president but could do little. In 1992, a cease fire was orchestrated. • Although the economy is still struggling, it has shown signs of improvement.

34. Panama • Between 1968 and 1981 the dictator Omar Torrijos ruled Panama. • His extended reign helped to stabilize the country. In 1977 the Panama Canal Treaty was formed which promised the Panamanians control over the canal by December 31, 1999. • General Noriega became the next president but was captured by US troops after he arrested some US citizens. • The new president Ernesto Perez Balladares worked with the US to end drug trafficking.