Decolonization Reading Questions

During the Cold War, independence movements often had to choose sides in the struggle between whom?

USSR (communist) or US (capitalism/democracy)

Liberation from colonial rule had long been a central goal for proponents of ___world revolution.

communist/marxist

During the Cold War, independence movements often had to choose sides in the struggle between whom?

USSR (communist) or US (capitalism/democracy)

Liberation from colonial rule had long been a central goal for proponents of ___world revolution.

communist/marxist

The US and USSR often extended what types of aid to decolonizing nations? Why?

Military and economic, to keep the influence of the other superpower from spreading.

In 1949, what nation became independent of Dutch control, and which “side” did they choose in the Cold War?

Dutch East Indies/Indonesia, sided with the US.

After World War II, France fought to maintain control over what Asian colonial possession? What were the results of this struggle?

French Indo-China (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos), Frane loses possession of all 3 territories and Vietnam has an eventual communist takeover while Laos and Cambodia become noncommunist regimes.

After gaining independence from Great Britain, what issue divided the Asian sub-continent? What were the results of this division?

Issue between which population would take control, the dominant Hindu population or the Muslim population, East/West India becomes Pakistan for Muslims, India is left under Hindu control, and Buddhists get Sri Lanka.

Who became prime minister of India in 1948, and why?

Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi was assassinated by a radical Hindu nationalist.

To where did the non-communist forces flea after defeat in the Chinese communist revolution of 1949?

Taiwan

During World War I, what European nation showed some support for the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine?

Great Britian

What decision concerning Palestine was made by the United Nations in 1947?

They divided Palestine into an Arab state and a Jewish state.

In what year was the nation-state of Israel founded, and what was the reaction of the surrounding Arab states of the Middle East?

1948, they attacked the Jewish state over territory which leads to an ongoing struggle in that region.

Explain the causes, events, and results of the “Suez Crisis” of 1956.

Gamal Abdel Nasser, leader of Egypt claimed the Suez canal for Egypt even though it was foreign owned, British, French, and Israelis join together and invade the Sinai peninsula to reclaim canal, US and USSR join together and force the others to back down, Nasser keeps the canal for Egypt.

Very quickly in the post-World War II era, most of what continent won independence from European imperialism?

Africa

In 1960, what nation became independent from Belgian control?

Congo

From 1954-62, France fought to maintain control over what North African colonial possession? What were the results of this struggle?

Algeria, Algeria becomes independent after Charles de Gaulle removes attention away from the issue.

The tensions that surround postcolonial migration pose significant challenges to social , and the future of European values and customs.

integration