Responses to 20th Century Conflict

20th Century Conflicts: The century experienced extensive violence and conflict, prompting various responses post-1900.

Nonviolent Resistance: Key figures and their impacts:

• Mohandas Gandhi:

• Advocated for nonviolence and civil disobedience in the Indian independence movement.

• Major Actions:

  • Homespun Movement: Boycotted British textiles, promoting the making of local garments.
  • Salt March: Protested British salt monopoly by marching to harvest salt, leading to mass arrests.

• Resulted in weakening British control over India, contributing to independence post-WWII.

• Martin Luther King Jr.:

• Inspired by Gandhi, he led the Civil Rights Movement against segregation in the U.S.

• Key Actions:

  • Montgomery Bus Boycott: Resisted racial segregation by boycotting public transport, causing economic strain.

• Influenced landmark legal changes, including anti-discrimination laws in the 1960s.

• Nelson Mandela:

• Initially promoted nonviolence against apartheid laws in South Africa but later adopted violent means.

• Transition influenced by events like the Sharpeville massacre leading to greater militancy.

• Eventually became president after long imprisonment, symbolizing the end of apartheid.

Violent Responses to Conflict: More common responses included violence:

• Augusto Pinochet:
• Military coup in Chile led to dictatorship; violently suppressed opposition, resulting in human rights abuses.
• Idi Amin:
• Ugandan dictator known for brutal campaigns against ethnic and political groups, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths.
• Military-Industrial Complex:
• Increased military buildup in the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War heightened global violence, driven by economic factors.

Terrorism as a Political Tool:

• Notably, Al-Qaeda's attacks, led by Osama bin Laden, aimed to influence U.S. policies through violence against civilians, marked by events like the September 11 attacks, further escalating U.S. involvement in the Middle East.