Decolonization Notes

Communism in China

  • Chinese Civil War

    • Began in 1927 between Communists and Nationalists.

    • Paused during Japanese invasion; resumed post-1945.

    • Mao Zedong gained popular support.

    • In 1949, Communists won, leading to the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

  • Mao's Five-Year Plans

    • Inspired by Soviet models.

    • Aimed at industrialization and state resource control.

Poor Choices by Mao

  • Great Leap Forward

    • Reorganized peasant land into large communes.

    • Led to famine and millions of deaths.

    • Continued exporting food to show success.

  • Cultural Revolution

    • Started in 1966 to reinforce communism.

    • Targeted critics and mirrored Stalin's purges.

    • Red Guards attacked officials, causing widespread chaos.

Iran

  • Invasion and Puppetry

    • During WWII, Britain and USSR invaded Iran to counter Nazi influence.

    • Installed King Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, maintaining a military presence.

    • US and UK organized a coup to restore Pahlavi after nationalists ousted him.

  • White Revolution

    • Shah’s reforms aimed at modernization.

    • Recognized women’s rights and promoted land redistribution, causing opposition.

  • 1979 Revolution

    • A theocracy was established led by clerics.

    • Ensured laws conformed to Islamic principles.

India and Pakistan

  • Independence Movement

    • Hindu and Muslim factions pushed for independence from British rule.

    • Pakistan was created due to fears of Hindu dominance.

    • Independence in 1947 led to violence and casualties.

  • Aftermath

    • Violence and refugee movements made tensions worse.

West Africa

  • Ghana

    • First sub-Saharan African country to gain independence in 1957.

    • Kwame Nkrumah ruled, later becoming a dictator.

  • Nigeria

    • Gained independence in 1960.

    • Biafran Civil War in 1967 led to military coups until 1999.

North Africa

  • Algeria

    • French colony fought for independence from 1954-1962.

    • Became a one-party state post-independence.

  • Egypt

    • Gained real independence in 1952 with the overthrow of the monarchy.

    • Nationalized industries and faced the 1956 Suez Crisis.

Formation of Israel

  • Zionism

    • Movement for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

    • Post-WWI tensions increased between Jewish settlers and Arab inhabitants.

    • The Holocaust intensified calls for a Jewish state.

    • Israel declared independence in 1948 after the UN partition plan.

Israel/Palestine Conflict

  • Initial Conflicts

    • Wars between Israel and Arab countries created Palestinian refugee issues.

    • Six Day War (1967) expanded Israeli territory.

    • Yom Kippur War (1973) involved attacks from Egypt and Syria.

  • Ongoing Tensions

    • Palestinians are divided into factions (Fatah in West Bank, Hamas in Gaza).

    • Increased violence and casualties occurred from 2000-2014.