Africa, The Middle East, and Asia in the Era of Independence

1. Chapter 33 Africa, The Middle East, and Asia in the Era of Independence

2. Independence Nationalist leaders promised better lives without Europeans Reality different Not enough resources to distribute equally Arbitrary colonial lines � hostile ethnic groups Politicians neglect real problems � hold states together

3. Population Explosion 18th-19th century New food crops during colonial times Less warfare with colonialism Less famine 20th century Medical advances Increased hygiene/cleaner water

4. Population Explosion Asia Adding to an already larger base India � 1 billion/China � 1.2 billion Africa Lower base, but high growth Nigeria est. 1.2 billion by mid 21st century AIDS may cause revision, but not enough 400 million w/ 6% of economy of US

5. Differences Europeans had factories to employ growing population/technology to provide Europeans were able to draw resources from their colonies to feed their people Many African/Asian countries resist birth control due to traditions High birth rates remain, though infant mortality has dropped

6. Urbanization People flocked to the cities for work � work was scarce/wages remained low due to demand Created slums outside of cities Dependent on overextended countryside Soil depletion, deforestation, industrial pollution

7. Women Because of women gaining rights in the West � many emerging nations write women�s rights into their constitutions Most women in politics, though, connected to powerful men Indira Gandhi, Corazon Aquino, Benazir Bhutto Women still have low marriage age, low nutrition, punishments

8. Economy Dependent on exporting cash crops/minerals � high in demand in the West Palm oil, coffee, jute, hemp Copper, bauxite, oil Prices fluctuate � hard to estimate funds Although colonialism is at fault � many times the new leaders enriched themselves and friends � corruption high Loans from other countries help � but they demand payment in some form

9. Military Many military coups Do little to help people Regimes enrich military leaders Torture/elimination of opposition

10. Ghana Kwame Nkrumah � independence leader Socialist ideas pushed West away Cocoa price falls � he doesn�t back away from plans � most fail Eventually assumes dictatorial powers Tries to revive tradition � but �Ghana� in itself refers to a people much north of their new state Coup in 1966