Key Notes on Decolonization and Newly Independent States

The process of decolonization in the second half of the 20th century led to the creation of approximately 80 new states.
Colonial powers often set boundaries to benefit themselves, leading new states to inherit problematic boundaries from imperialism.

India's decolonization was characterized by negotiated independence, largely non-violent compared to other struggles.
Partition divided India into two separate nations: India for Hindus and Pakistan for Muslims.
Despite peaceful negotiations, violence erupted during migration:
- Approx. 12 million people migrated.
- Over 500,000 people died due to violence.
- Significant implications arose from boundaries that did not perfectly align with religious and ethnic distributions.
Kashmir Conflict:
- Kashmir had a Muslim majority but was ruled by a Hindu ruler, complicating territorial claims.
- India and Pakistan conflict arose over Kashmir due to its strategic location and resources, leading to ongoing disputes, with UN involvement stalling a potential vote for local autonomy.

Post-WWI, Palestine (former Ottoman Empire) fell under British control, leading to tensions due to migration spurred by Zionism and the Balfour Declaration.
After WWII and increased Jewish migration due to the Holocaust, the UN proposed partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
Jewish leaders accepted the plan; Arab Palestinians resisted, leading to conflict.
- Establishment of Israel was followed by war, resulting in continued disputes and violence in the region.

Newly independent states often sought to control their economies post-independence.
Examples:
- Egypt under Gamal Abdel Nasser:
- Nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956, asserting Egyptian control.
- Completion of the Aswan High Dam for energy and agriculture.
- Introduction of social reforms, including healthcare and education.
- India under Indira Gandhi:
- She addressed economic crises with socialist policies, focused on agricultural self-sufficiency through the Green Revolution.
- Nationalized key industries and introduced government regulations, improving economic conditions.

Migration to metropoles became common as former colonies navigated economic difficulties:
- Many South Asians moved to Great Britain, Algerians to France, and Filipinos to the US.
- This migration helped transform previously homogenous societies into multicultural ones, solidifying cultural and economic ties between the old colonies and the metropoles.