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The Post WWII WOrld. Independence and a retreat from Imperialism African Independence Indian Independence Middle Eastern Revolutions. Learning objectives. To understand the cause behind the breakup of imperialist systems in the 20 th century.
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The Post WWII WOrld Independence and a retreat from Imperialism African Independence Indian Independence Middle Eastern Revolutions
Learning objectives • To understand the cause behind the breakup of imperialist systems in the 20th century. • To consider, through the examples of India and South Africa how “decolonization” worked. • To examine the challenges that faced developing nations in the 2nd half of the 20th century. • To investigate the clash between modernization and tradition in developing nations
Towards freedom • 1940’s saw a plethora of states acquire their independence in the 1940’s. • Jordan • Iraq • Pakistan (E/W) • Burma • Indonesia • Israel • India • All present unique circumstances
The case of Israel • Israel was created out of the lands given to Britain at the end of WWI, the Balfour declaration openly pledged to create a new state in the Levant. • This area was occupied by Palestinians. The question Britain wrestled with, was who had a historical claim to the land? • The Holocaust sped up the process and in 1948, the UN created the state of Israel to be a Jewish homeland. • This created turmoil in the Arab world as the Arab world was experiencing decolonization from Britain and France…this went in the other direction.
War and conflict in the holy lands • The creation of Israel set off a storm of conflicts between the Israelis and Arabs. • Between 1948 and the present they fought a series of bloody conflicts and have experienced terrorism. • War of 1948-9 • Six Day War: 1967 • Yom Kippur War: 1973 • Violence between 1973 and present takes different form • In each case particularly the first war, the Arabs expected easy victories—why were the Jewish people successful in these wars?
Iraqi independence • Iraqi independence is a point illustrative of why many Asians approached decolonization with suspicion and misunderstanding. • Iraq gained “independence from Britain in 1932, only to realize it was but partial independence and Britain would maintain military bases in the country. • They would then later lose their independence to the British and not get it back until almost 1960! • T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia)
Fall of empires • Empires became a thing of the past. Collapsing empires included: • Austro-Hungarian Empire (Balkans) • Ottoman Empire (Mid-East, SW Asia) • German (Europe, Africa) • Japan (Pacific Rim, China) • United States viewed as a non-territorial empire, wielded economic and political power. • USSR a non-territorial empire, used coercion to command obedience, fell under the weight of nationalism in Eastern Europe.
Factors promoting Decolonization • The concept of colonization was flawed. Colonization ran in opposition to the principles of progress and Christianity. • Colonialism required racism, exploitation, and poverty • WWI propelled the idea of not only nationalism, but also the idea of self determination. • “A bad indigenous government is far superior to the best foreign government” • Conjecture the timing of key factors • War had weakened the will of imperial countries • Rise of non-territorial empires • United Nations anti-colonial stance • Men of magnificence and genius
The End of British INdia • The paradox of Indian “unity”. • Indian National Congress • Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi
Resistance and ahimsa • Gandhi employed a strategy never before seen in World History. It proved to be one of the seminal moments of the millennium. • Satyagraha: truth force • Gandhi’s evolution • Key events in the life of Gandhi and Indian independence
Soul force • Independence had never been attacked in such a way before. • Gandhi’s message resonated with a wide audience, particularly in the West. • Non-violent versus passive resistance?
Opposition to satyagraha • There were those who advocated violence • There were those who advocated religious division • Gandhi resisted all and referred to the division of India as a vivisection…dissection of a living entity. • Gandhi’s religious attitudes
Independence and pakistan • Gandhi’s views on independence fail to prevent the vivisection of India. • Jinnah’s argument: • 1948: Assassination of Gandhi • Newsweek…asks a good question!
India after gandhi and independence • Constitutionalism • Kashmir/India-Pakistani Wars • Social unrest/religious unrest • Nehru governance/socialism • Indira Gandhi (sterility and emergency) • Terrorism and Violence • Economic resurgence • Manmohan Singh, India’s first Sikh Prime Minister