Amsco-7.5-combined

Unresolved Tensions After World War I

Background

• Quote from the Indian National Congress: "The British Government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom, but has debased it economically, politically, culturally, and spiritually."

• Essential Question: How did continuities and changes in territorial holdings create tensions after World War I?

Economic Crisis and Nationalism

• Post-World War I, many nations faced economic crises leading to tensions over land control.

• Victorious powers (European and Japan) expanded control over colonial territories.

• Growing anti-imperial resistance in Asia and Africa amidst nationalistic sentiments.

• Increasing nationalism was part of a global trend, mirroring the breakup of European empires, the rise of communism in Russia, and anti-immigrant sentiments in the U.S.

• Notable Events:

  • Turkey's self-determination efforts.

  • The May 4th Movement in China.

  • The Indian National Congress aimed for Indian self-rule.

Effects of World War I

• United States Prosperity: Benefited from selling war materials and agricultural products to Allies.

• European Devastation: Countries suffered from economic ruin and social upheaval post-war.

• Colonial Hopes for Independence:

  • Nationalist movements in South Asia and West Africa revitalized by wartime contributions of colonial soldiers.

  • World War I showed imperial powers were not invincible.

  • Propaganda claimed that soldier experiences could trigger uprisings against colonial rule.

• Local Rebellions:

  • Example: Resistance in French West Africa (Burkina Faso) against colonial rule (1915-1916).

Disappointment at the Paris Peace Conference

• Principle of Self-Determination: As outlined in Wilson's Fourteen Points, hoped for respect for African and Asian contributions.

• Reality: The Big Three (Lloyd George, Wilson, Clemenceau) had little interest in freeing colonies.

• Granting Self-Determination: Limited to white nations in Eastern Europe, with Middle Eastern territories falling under French and British control.

  • Wilson refused to meet with Vietnamese nationalists, worsening relations.

  • Seeds of nationalism planted, leading to future decolonization movements.

The Mandate System

• Misleadings of Arab rebels who fought for self-rule were betrayed by the founding of the Mandate system.

• Article 22 of the League of Nations Charter: Claimed colonized peoples needed tutelage from more "advanced" nations.

• Breakdown of Ottoman territories led to the establishment of mandates by Britain and France, generating resentment and nationalist movements.

• Balfour Declaration (1917): Pledged support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, increasing tensions in the region.

Anti-Colonialism in South Asia

• Growing anticolonial activism strengthened after Congress formed its voice for independence.

• Amritsar Massacre (1919): British troops killed hundreds of unarmed protesters, radicalizing many Indians.

• Gandhi’s Influence: Promoted civil disobedience through his Satyagraha movement and Salt March (1930).

Unequal Nationalism and the Two-State Solution

• Jinnah's Proposal: Initially for unity, Jinnah later proposed a Pakistan for Muslim interests amid fears of being overshadowed in a Hindu-majority independent India.

• Outcome: Independence for India and Pakistan post-World War II after intense interwar struggles.

Nationalism in East Asia

• Korea, China & Japan:

  • Nationalist movements emerged, pushing for self-determination.

  • March First Movement (1919): Anti-Japanese protests sought independence.

  • May Fourth Movement (1919): Demonstrated Chinese dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles, rejecting Western models in favor of Marxism.

Resistance to Imperialism

• Response to Foreign Rule: Leaders like Jomo Kenyatta and Léopold Senghor emerged, pushed by educated African intellectuals observing discrimination.

• Strikes in West Africa: Workers protested against exploitation in colonial contexts, gaining concessions.

Key Terms by Theme

Government: Policies

• Decolonization

• Mandate system

• Balfour Declaration

• Civil disobedience

Government: Leaders

• Big Three (Lloyd George, Wilson, Clemenceau)

• Mohandas Gandhi

• Muhammad Ali Jinnah

• Jawaharlal Nehru

• Mao Zedong

• Chiang Kai-shek

Government: Movements

• Pan-Arabism

• Indian National Congress

• Satyagraha movement

• Salt March

• March First Movement

• May Fourth Movement

• Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

• Kuomintang

• Long March

Geography: Countries

• Palestine

• Pakistan

Government: Imperialism

• Amritsar

• Manchukuo

• Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

Culture: People

• Zionists

• Mahatma

• Jomo Kenyatta

• Léopold Sédar Senghor