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Decolonization and Nation-Building South Asia

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Decolonization and Nation-Building South Asia 1945-1975: Decolonization and Nation-building South Asia: After 1947 Partition of India: India and Pakistan was very different Pakistan – Islam Military leaders East Pakistan seceded from West Pakistan (1971) East Pakistan became Bangladesh -People spoke Bengali India Secular republic Currently – the largest democracy in the world 90% Hindu More industrial and educational resources than Pakistan Many languages – but India is a unified country Currently – 700 languages; 15 recognized Southeast Asia: Japan defeats of the British, French, and Dutch during World War II – showed the world that an Asian power can stand up to a European power Nationalists Movements – Independence Indonesia (1949) -Sukarno in Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) helped the Japanese because he did not want the Dutch come back to rule -Sukarno became First President of Indonesia (1945-1967) Indonesia is currently has the largest Moslem population of any country in the world Independence: Burma (1948) – modern-day Myanmar Malay Federation – modern-day Malaysia (1957) Philippines (1946) Africa: First colony to decolonize in Africa after World War II was Libya (1951) – from Italy Last colony to decolonize was Southern Rhodesia (1980) – from British which became Zimbabwe Ethiopia and Liberia was never under European control French wanted to keep Algeria after World War II -Many French settlers, vineyards, oil fields, natural gas fields Very brutal revolt Algeria Independence (1962) French leaving Algeria – left crisis in Algeria – Arabs had no technical training and no management experience Sub-Sahara Africa independence movements – not as brutal as Algeria However: Independence problems existed Arbitrarily drawn borders Overdependence on export crops Lack of roads and railroads Overpopulation Nartionalists: Kwame Nkrumah – Ghana -Ghana became the first British colony in West Africa to gain independence (1957) -Nkrumah later became President of Ghana (Prime Minister 1957-1960; President 1960- 1966) Jomo Kenyatta – Kenya -First President of Kenya (1964-1978) -Kenya became independence from British in 1963 in East Africa French Colonies in Sub-Sahara Africa: African leaders did not want French to leave – French had billions of dollars invested in Africa Without French money – African colonies had a bleak economic future French President Charles de Gaulle promised French colonies in Africa -More democracy in government -More voting rights -Abolition of forced labor -More administrative jobs -More educational opportunities However, French colonies achieved independence anyway between 1958-1960 Decolonization: Struggle: European-descent wanted to keep personal privileges, control of resources, political power – power struggle with indigenous population Racial conflict – very severe in southern Africa -Example: Portuguese colonies of Angola and Mozambique British Colonies of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and Southwest Africa Latin America: Independence achieved earlier than Africa – however United States and European countries domination increased Mexico – Rulers – Institutional Revolutionary Party -Large disparity between rich and poor; urban and rural Guatemala Jacobo Abenz Guzman – tried to expropriate (government take hold of) – large landowners’ properties Example: United Fruit Company -United States – CIA – military coup – removed Guzman from power Guatemala then had decades of political instability and violence 1950s: Fulgencio Batista – President of Cuba (1940-1944; 1952-1959) -Corrupt, oppressive United States and small group of wealthy Cubans controlled Cuba’s economy 1959 – Fidel Castro – popular revolution Forced Batista out of Cuba Redistributed land Lowered urban rents Increased wages Seized property of United States and Cuban corporations No evidence of Fidel Castro during the popular revolution of wanting a Communist regime (1953-1959) However: United States blockade Castro looked to Soviet Union for help and economic aid Led to economic stagnation and dependence on Soviet Union April 1961: John F. Kennedy – President of United States 1500 Cuban exiles – CIA trained Landed at Bay of Pigs in Cuba Attempted to overthrow Fidel Castro Failed – partly because United States did not supply all the necessary air transport Nation-building Dozens of new nations (1945-1965) Established governments Faced severe economic challenges at beginnings of existence Serious educational issues What language? National Unity rhetoric? Jobs for graduates? Military coups/rebellions Many could not overcome these obstacles Many turned to authoritarian regimes – including South Korea .
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