Institutionalized Racism, North Korea & The UN

Institutionalized Racism and Civil Disobedience

  • Mohandas Gandhi
    • Satyagraha: "to hold on to truth" or tenacity; non-violent non-cooperation.
    • Salt Tax Campaign: Gandhi arrested.
    • Sarojini Naidu: Led 2500 marchers on the Dharasana salt works facing violent repression from British-led Indian policemen.
  • Racism and Governmental Policy
    • Racist attitudes can become mainstream without anti-discrimination laws, leading to governmental policy.
    • This prompts civil disobedience to challenge unjust laws.
  • Civil Disobedience
    • Political protest where individuals deliberately break the law to highlight perceived injustices.
    • Aims to challenge unjust or unconstitutional laws and policies.
  • Historical Context of India
    • Long history of white man’s rule.
    • Majority Hindu population segregated by the caste system.
    • Significant Muslim minority.
    • 1894: Right to vote removed for Indians.
    • Gandhi organized resistance against anti-Indian laws in courts and protests.
  • Rowlatt Act (Black Act)
    • Allowed arrest of individuals suspected of "terrorist" activities without trial for up to 2 years.
    • Triggered nationwide outrage.
    • Gandhi called for nationwide protest in 1919, urging Indians to refrain from work and hold meetings.
  • Salt Satyagraha (1930)
    • Prohibited Indians from collecting or selling salt, forcing them to buy it from British rulers with imposed tax.
    • Gandhi launched the "salt satyagraha" to resist British salt policies.
    • March 12, 1930: Gandhi and followers marched 240 miles to Dandi to make salt from seawater
    • Widespread civil disobedience erupted across India.
    • British authorities arrested 60,000, including Gandhi.
    • Satyagraha continued without him.
    • The event was recorded by American journalist Webb Miller, promoted international outcry against British policy in India.

Apartheid System in South Africa

  • Apartheid: Meaning "apartness" in Afrikaans.
    • System of legal segregation (1948–1994).
    • Implemented by the all-white National Party under Daniel Francois Malan (1948–1954).
    • Four racial categories established.
  • Key Apartheid Laws and Policies
    • Population Registration Act (1950): Classified population by race.
    • Separate Development (1958): Further segregation and creation of "homelands."
    • Severe restrictions on political rights, education, and employment opportunities, enforced through military and police power.
  • Resistance and International Response
    • African National Congress (ANC)
      • Led non-violent resistance; promoted non-racial democracy.
      • Organized passive resistance campaigns.
    • Religious Opposition
      • South African churches condemned apartheid (1948).
    • United Nations
      • Annual condemnation after 1952.
      • Called for sanctions (1962).
      • South Africa withdrew from the British Commonwealth.
  • Sharpeville Massacre
    • 1960: Peaceful protest in Sharpeville township.
    • Pan African Congress (PAC) members protested pass laws.
    • Police Response: 67 killed, 180+ wounded.
    • Movement changed from peaceful resistance to armed struggle.
    • Formation of military wings by PAC and ANC.
  • Global Impact
    • Major industries continued trade (USA, Britain, Canada, West Germany).
    • African nations supported ANC and were connected to anti-imperialist movements.
    • Sanctions were partially effective.
    • Some countries prioritized trade over human rights.
  • Nelson Mandela and the Rise of Armed Resistance
    • Resistance leaders faced capture or execution.
    • Nelson Mandela founded Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation).
    • 27 years imprisonment: Mandela became an international symbol of the anti-apartheid movement.
    • Family and supporters faced persecution.
    • 1976 Soweto Uprising: Black students protested Afrikaans requirements; police killed 575+ protestors, drawing global attention.
  • International Pressure and Sanctions
    • 1973: UN General Assembly condemns apartheid.
    • 1976: UN Security Council enforces arms embargo.
    • Growing global pressure
    • 1985: UK and US impose economic sanctions.
    • Resistance Intensifies with civil disobedience, boycotts, strikes, and political activism
    • PW Botha’s limited reforms proved insufficient.
  • The End of Apartheid and Reconciliation
    • 1989: FW de Klerk becomes president and repeals key apartheid laws.

Autocracy in North Korea: A Modern Totalitarian Regime

  • Initial Division (1945)
    • Post-WWII agreement between the Soviet Union and the USA.
    • 38th Parallel established as the dividing line.
      • Originally meant to be temporary.
      • Cold War tensions made the division permanent.
    • Key Term: 38th Parallel: Geographical line dividing North and South Korea.
  • Two Distinct Governments Formed (1948)
    • South: Syngman Rhee (US-backed).
    • North: Kim Il-sung (Soviet-backed).
    • Both declared separate nations: Republic of Korea (South) and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North).
  • The Korean War and Its Aftermath (1950-53)
    • 1950: North Korea invaded South Korea.
      • Major Consequences:
        • 10% decrease in the North Korean population.
        • Widespread urban destruction.
    • Creation of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
    • 1953: Armistice signed.
      • Permanent separation of families.
      • Establishment of Opposing Systems:
        • South: Democratic Capitalism and a liberal society.
        • North: Communist Dictatorship, limited human rights, and restricted freedom of movement.
  • The Kim Dynasty and Power Consolidation
    • Kim Il-sung (1948-1994)
      • Established Juche ideology (self-reliance).
      • Created a cult of personality.
      • Nationalized all private property.
      • Eliminated political rivals.
    • Kim Jong-il (1994-2011)
      • Maintained authoritarian control.
      • Period of severe property.
    • Kim Jong-un (2011-present)
      • Continued family legacy.
      • Consolidated power through purges.
      • Executed potential threats.
      • Strengthened nuclear program.
    • Key Term: Juche: North Korean ideology emphasizing self-reliance.
  • The Cult of Personality and Control
    • The regime rebuilt Pyongyang as a socialist capital with numerous monuments to Kim Il-sung.
    • Nationwide effort to build a cult of personality to secure obedience.
    • Methods of Control:
      • Songbun System (1960s): Social classification based on loyalty, determining education and career opportunities, restricting residence rights, and serving as a state control mechanism.
      • Media Censorship.
      • Travel Restrictions.
      • Mandatory worship of leadership.
      • Elimination of opposition.
    • Key Terms:
      • Autocracy: Government by one person with absolute power.
      • Totalitarian: Complete state control over citizens’ lives.
      • Hostile class, wavering class, core.
  • North Korea's Military Structure
    • North Korea maintains one of the world’s largest military forces.
      • Key statistics:
        • Total population: 25 million.
        • Active military: 1 million.
        • Reserve forces: 5.5 million
        • 26% of the population has military training.
    • Naval Capabilities:
      • 470 surface vessels, 70 submarines.
      • Advanced weapons, including underwater drones.
      • Strategic Location Threat: Seoul is only 30 km from the border.
    • Key Terms:
      • Mobilization: Assembling troops for military action.
  • Nuclear Program and Defense Strategy
    • Current Nuclear Status:
      • Estimated 6-15 nuclear warheads as of 2019.
    • Global Nuclear Context:
      • US: 6800 warheads
      • Russia: 4000 warheads
      • China: 360 warheads
    • Key Terms:
      • Deterrence: The use of threats to prevent military action by others.
      • Arsenal: A collection of military weapons and equipment.
  • Economic Control and International Relations
    • Trades and Sanctions:
      • Heavy UN economic restrictions.
      • China is the primary trading partner (75% of exports).
    • Limited Revenue Sources:
      • Weapon sales.
      • Tourism ($15 million annually).
    • Strategic Relationships:
      • China maintains support as a buffer state.
      • Limited international allies.
    • Key Terms:
      • Sanctions: Economic penalties imposed on a country.
      • Buffer State: A country between two rival powers.
  • Government Control Methods
    • Restricted travel (internal and external).
    • Controlled information and media.
    • Perpetual war narrative.
  • Human Rights Violations
    • Estimated 200,000 in prison camps.
    • 20-25% annual mortality rate in camps.
    • Execution orders for minor offenses.
    • Documented through satellite imagery and defector testimony.
    • Key Terms:
      • Autocratic: Relating to a ruler with absolute power.
      • Defector: A person who abandons their country for another.
      • Juche: Full autonomy, not relying on any other country; everything done has to be for your own nation.
  • Historical Significance and Modern Implications
    • Impact of the Kim Dynasty (1948–present):
      • Three generations of authoritarian rule.
      • Development of a nuclear program.
      • Creation of an isolated society.
      • Maintenance of a personality cult.
    • Personality Cult: Excessive devotion to a leader.
    • Autocracy: Government by one person with absolute power.

The Arab Spring: Movements for Democracy and Freedom in the Middle East and North Africa

  • Four Characteristics of Revolutions:
    • Dissident elites
    • Mass frustration
    • Shared motivation
    • State crises
  • State Crises and Revolution:
    • Administration failure to meet the needs of its people.
    • Political, military, and economic systems decimated.
    • Power vacuum.
  • Mass Frustrations:
    • Contribute to the likelihood of a revolution.
  • Origins and Triggers
    • Started Dec 17 2010 in Tunisia.
    • Triggered by Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation in protest of police harassment.
    • Term "Spring" references 1848 European political revolutions.
    • Spread rapidly across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
  • Key Vocabulary:
    • Self-immolation: The act of sacrificing oneself as a form of protest.
    • MENA: Middle East and North Africa region.
  • Government Dissatisfaction: Root Causes
    • Economic Problems:
      • High youth unemployment.
      • Limited opportunities for university graduates.
      • Poor economic management.
    • Political Issues:
      • Widespread corruption.
      • Censorship of media and internet.
      • Human rights violations.
    • Social Concerns:
      • Religious discrimination (e.g., Bahrain’s Sunni minority ruling Shiite majority).
      • Lack of basic freedoms.
      • Limited political participation.
  • Western Influence and Technology
    • Inspiration from North American and European democratic systems.
    • Desire for individual freedoms and rights.
    • Access to information about democratic societies.
    • Technology’s Impact:
      • Social media enabled protest organization.
      • Improved communication helped spread ideas.
      • Harder for governments to control information.
  • Key Vocabulary:
    • Democracy: Government by the people through elected representatives.
    • Autocracy: Government by one person with absolute power.
  • The Role of Social Media in the Arab Spring
    • The Arab Spring marked a new era in Arab media and politics starting in 2011.
    • Social media became a crucial tool for revolutionary youth.
    • Activist media and traditional broadcast media worked together to expand coverage.
    • Key terms:
      • Revolutionary: Causing or relating to a dramatic change.
      • Uprising: A rebellion or revolt against authority.
    • Impact of technology
      • Social media platforms helped:
        • Organize groups and events
        • Share information rapidly
        • Connect protesters across regions
      • Mobile phones enabled:
        • Real-time documentation of events
        • Instant sharing of photos and videos
        • Citizen journalism
      • Traditional methods remained important:
        • Word of mouth communication
        • Face-to-face organizing
        • Local community networks

The Formation of the United Nations: Building a Foundation for Global Peace

  • Aug 1941: Roosevelt and Churchill met in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland.
    • Key terms:
      • At lantic charter.
        • The first formal agreement outlining post-war international cooperation.
        • Set the foundation for a new global organization.
        • Emphasized international collaboration and individual rights.
  • Declaration of United Nations (1942):
    • 26 nations united against Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan).
    • The first official use of “United Nations Organization”.
    • Established common goals and unified purpose.
  • Key Conferences Shaping the UN
    • Dumbarton Oaks Conference (Oct 1944)
      • Washington, DC.
      • Participants: USA, USSR, Britain, and China.
      • To draft preliminary membership details.
      • Controversy: The Soviet Union demanded equal representation as the British Commonwealth.
    • Yalta Conference
      • Major decision: Creation of Security Council veto powers.
      • Big Five powers: USA, USSR, Britain, China, and France.
        • Impact: Later complicated international cooperation during the Cold War.
  • Mission: World Peace
    • Wanted to prevent another huge war from happening again
    • Getting rid of poverty and disease
    • Food and aid
    • Health services
    • Disaster relief
    • Protect human rights
    • Uphold international law
  • 193 countries
    • Has accomplished a lot of things i set out to do
    • UNSC
      • In charge of helping countries resolve conflicts
    • General assemblies held to resolve conflicts
    • Specialized agents (WHO, UNICEF)
    • Some critics:
      • Isn't as effective as it should be
      • Favours some countries over others
      • Spends too much money to operate
  • San Francisco Conference and UN Charter
    • April-June 1945
    • 51 nations
    • Key Charter Goals:
      • Prevent future wars
      • Protect human rights
      • Ensure equality among nations
      • Promote social progress
    • President Truman’s vision: A constitution for peace.
  • Effective Date: Oct 24 1945
  • Original Members: 51 nations
  • General Assembly
    • Universal membership for all UN nations
    • One vote per member state
    • Two-thirds majority for important decisions
      • Improvement from League of Nations unanimous vote requirement
    • Key functions:
      • Discuss world peace matters
      • Make recommendations
      • Forum for international dialogue
      • Supervision of specialized agencies:
        • Universal Postal Union
        • International Telecommunication Union
      • Economic and social councils

The UN Security Council: Power, Veto, and Global Impact

  • Structure and Membership
    • Responsible for maintaining world peace
    • Force the members of the un to carry out its decisions
    • 5 permanent members
      • United states, china, france, russia, and united kingdom
    • 10 non permanent members (2 year terms) without veto powers
      • 2025 algeria, denmark, greece, guyana, pakistan, panama, republic of korea, sierra leone, slovenia, and somalia
    • Regional representation system
    • Monthly rotating presidency
    • Key terms:
      • Veto: power to reject a decision
      • Resolution: formal decision or statement
      • Selection bias
    • One of 6 principal organs of the un
    • Peace and security in the international community
    • Permanent and non permanent members
    • Veto power
    • 5 for africa and asia
    • 1 for eastern europe
    • 1 for latin america and caribbean
    • 2 for western europe and other groups
    • Countries will offer extra foreign aid to those who vote for them
    • Host special events for foreign diplomats and their families
    • Status and prestige
  • The Veto Power in Action
    • Russia: most frequent user (158 vetoes)
    • United states: 92 vetoes
    • China: increasing use (21 vetoes)
    • France and uk: no vetoes since 1989
      • Real world impact examples:
        • Rwanda (1994): failed response during genocide
        • Kosovo (1999): nato intervention
        • Libya (2011): military intervention
        • Syria (2011-present): deadlock
          • Russian vetoes prevented action against human rights violations
        • Ukraine (2022-present): limited action
  • Tools for Conflict Management
    • Peaceful Dispute Resolution: Seeks solutions via negotiations, arbitration, or other peaceful means.
      • E.g. COVID-19 pandemic 2020: Resolution 2532
        • Ninety-day humanitarian pause in armed conflicts worldwide
        • Exception: conflicts against designated terrorist groups
        • One conflict party — Colombia’s National Liberation Army — explicitly cited it in an offer to end hostilities
    • Military Force
      • Failed peaceful resolutions
      • Peacekeeping Missions:
        • Currently 11 operations worldwide
        • 97,000+ uniformed personnel
        • Only 2 new missions since 2014
    • Mart Sanctions Targeting Specific:
      • Individuals
      • Economic Activities
      • Travel Bans
      • Asset Freezes
      • Political Entities
        • 15 Current Sanctions Regimes
        • Over 800 Listed Individuals/Entities
  • Reform Demands
    • Calls for new permanent members
      • Regional power representation
      • African representation push
      • European union considerations
    • Veto Power Debates:
      • Adding permanent members (brazil, germany, india, japan)
      • African representation
      • Limiting veto power in humanitarian crises
      • Modernizing council structure