Decolonization and New Government Regimes

REVIEW SHEETS FOR AP WORLD HISTORY UNIT 8 PART 2

Overview of the Non-Aligned Movement

  • The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) consisted of countries that neither aligned with NATO nor the Warsaw Pact. It emerged during the Cold War, opposing the notion of a bipolar world dominated by the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR).

  • Participating nations fought against colonialism and sought independence from colonial powers.

Types of Resistance to Colonization and Government

Nonviolent Resistance

  • Definition: Nonviolent resistance includes peaceful protesting, civil disobedience, boycotting, and marches. Participants break certain laws without using violence.

  • Key Figures:

    • Mohandas Gandhi: Advocated for independence from British rule in India through peaceful means.

    • Martin Luther King, Jr.: Led civil rights movements in the US through nonviolent protests.

    • Nelson Mandela: Initially supported nonviolence before leading armed struggle against apartheid.

  • Examples: Seen in various student protests, such as the Kent State incident and marches in France in 1968.

Violent Resistance

  • Definition: Violent resistance usually entails armed conflict, guerrilla warfare, and acts of terrorism.

  • Examples:

    • Irish Republican Army (IRA): Engaged in violent struggle for Irish independence.

    • Basque Homeland and Freedom (ETA): Fought for an independent Basque state in Spain.

    • Shining Path: A Maoist guerrilla group in Peru.

    • al-Qaeda and Boko Haram: Terrorist organizations operating mainly in the Middle East and Africa, respectively.

    • Islamic State of Iraq/Levant (ISIL) and Taliban: Notorious for their violent jihadist activities.

Decolonization After 1900

India and Pakistan

  • Historical Context: India was under British colonial rule from 1858. The Indian National Congress, led by figures like Gandhi, pushed for independence, particularly after broken promises post-WWI.

  • Key Events:

    • Partition of India (1947): Divided India into two independent countries — predominantly Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan.

    • This led to mass migrations (approximately 10 million people) and significant violence (estimates of 500,000 to 1 million deaths).

    • Kashmir Conflict: A territorial dispute arose due to Kashmir's Hindu ruler over a Muslim-majority population, escalating tensions and nuclear concerns between India and Pakistan.

  • Factors Leading to Self-Determination:

    • World War II weakened British control, making it difficult for them to suppress independence movements.

    • The Royal Indian Navy Revolt of 1946 displayed Indian military dissent against British rule.

Africa and Egypt

  • Ghana’s Independence (1957):

    • First sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence from Britain, uniting with Togoland.

    • Kwame Nkrumah: The first president focused on nationalism, promoting symbols of identity like flags and anthems.

    • His rule became increasingly dictatorial by 1964.

Algeria

  • Colonial Context: Algeria was a French colony and fought for independence through the Algerian War for Independence (1954).

  • FLN (National Liberation Front): Utilized guerrilla tactics against French forces, leading to tensions in France and significant protests.

  • Algerian Civil War: Occurred after the FLN lost a scheduled election, leading to a suppression of dissent and civil strife.

Other African Colonies

  • Nigeria gained independence from Britain post-WWII.

  • French West Africa saw independence movements in Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Niger.

Egypt

  • Achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1922, granted more autonomy by the Anglo-Egyptian treaty (1936) while retaining British military influence.

  • Gamal Abdel Nasser: Overthrew the monarchy in 1952, establishing a republic and promoting territorial nationalism and socialist policies.

  • Suez Crisis (1956): Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, leading to military action by Britain and France, prompting the US and USSR to step in, making the canal an international waterway.

Quebec

  • The Quiet Revolution in the 1960s aimed at changing Quebec's socio-political landscape, culminating in a narrow referendum (1995) on separation from Canada.

Vietnam

  • Colonial Context: Under French rule pre-WWII, then occupied by Japan during WWII.

  • Post-WWII, France attempted to reclaim control leading to resistance led by Ho Chi Minh, culminating in the War of Independence (1954).

  • The Vietnam War involved the communist North fighting against the US-backed South, resulting in a communist victory and Vietnam's reunification.

Cambodia

  • Gained independence from France in 1953 but fell into conflict due to Vietnam's influence post-War.

  • The Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot instituted a brutal regime resulting in mass deaths through purges and starvation (approximately 25% of the population). Vietnam invaded in 1977, aiding in getting rid of Pol Pot.

  • A 1991 UN agreement facilitated democratic elections in Cambodia.

New States - Israel

Historical Background

  • Zionist Movement: Emerged in the 1890s advocating for Jewish self-determination in Palestine.

  • Balfour Declaration: A 1917 statement promising a Jewish homeland while acknowledging non-Jewish rights in Palestine, creating a dual claim.

  • UN Partition Plan: After WWII, the UN proposed the partitioning of Palestine into Jewish and Arab nations, leading to the establishment of Israel.

Conflicts Following Creation of Israel

  • Military Engagements:

    • Involvement during the Suez Crisis (1956) and the Six-Day War (1967), where Israel gained significant territories.

    • During the Yom Kippur War (1973), Israel successfully defended against attacks from Egypt and Syria.

  • Ongoing Conflict:

    • Post-1979 Camp David Accords attempted peace between Israel and Egypt met opposition from Palestine.

    • Remaining tensions highlighted by the division between Palestinian factions (Fatah and Hamas) and regional economic sanctions leading to conflict.

Communism in China and Changes in Iran

China’s Communist Development

  • Civil War Background: Pre-WWII, Chinese Nationalists and Communists vied for power. WWII complicated their confrontation due to threats from Japan.

  • Following WWII, the Chinese Communist Party led by Mao Zedong won support through promises of reform and land redistribution.

  • People’s Republic of China established in 1949.

Mao Zedong’s Policies

  • Great Leap Forward (1958): Series of economic reforms that led to severe famine, resulting in approximately 20 million deaths due to starvation and punitive actions against nonconforming peasants.

  • Cultural Revolution (1966): Efforts to reassert Maoist ideology through purges and the Red Guards targeting perceived dissenters.

Iran’s Political Dynamics

  • Iran Pre-WWII and Post-WWII:

    • Nationalist movements led to the overthrow of dictator Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, leading to Mohammad Mosaddegh’s rule advocating for oil nationalization.

    • US and British actions led to Pahlavi’s reinstatement, which prompted the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

    • The new theocratic regime under Ayatollah Khomeini shifted toward strict Islamic governance, reversing progressive reforms initiated during Pahlavi's reign.

Land Reforms in Latin America, Asia, and Africa

  • Land reforms sought to redistribute land to rectify inequalities post-colonialism.

    • Examples:

    • Venezuela: Redistribution of 5 million acres of land.

    • Guatemala: Land reform attempts faced pushback from foreign interests, notably the United Fruit Company, leading to governmental upheaval.

    • Ethiopia: Failed land reforms contributed to the fall of Emperor Haile Selassie.

    • India: Encountered mixed results from reforms meant to protect farmers and renters.

Sources

  • Freeman, Benjamin (2020). AP World: Modern. Freeman-Pedia. https://www.freeman-pedia.com/apworldmodern

  • Janis, J. et al. (2020). AMSCO Advanced Placement World History: Modern. Perfection Learning.

  • Tripp, Caitlin (2020). AP World New Units Graphics. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Caitlin-Tripp

  • Contributions from various memes and images found online are for educational purposes only and not for profit.