1955 Bandung Lecture

The Bandung Asia-Africa Conference, 1955

  • Overview

    • The Bandung Conference, also known as the Asian-African Conference, took place in April 1955.

    • It was significant in the context of decolonization and the politics of Cold War non-alignment.

Understanding Secondary Sources

  • Definition

    • A secondary source in History is an analysis, interpretation, or summary of an event or topic.

    • It is created after the event by someone who did not directly experience it.

    • These sources rely on primary sources to develop their analysis.

  • Examples of Secondary Sources

    • Scholarly books and articles.

    • Textbooks, biographies, documentaries.

  • Secondary Literature Reference

    • The term “secondary literature” refers to the body of works that interpret and analyze a topic or event.

    • Sometimes the distinction between primary and secondary sources can be contextual and debatable.

  • Tertiary Literature

    • Refers to encyclopedias or other reference materials aiming to summarize information succinctly.

Finding Secondary Sources

  • Methods for Identification

    • Use the library catalog.

    • Consult appropriate article databases.

    • Refer to subject encyclopedias.

    • Examining bibliographies.

    • Consult with your librarian for additional guidance.

Evolution of Secondary Literature in History

  • Dynamic Changes

    • Historians introduce new research, often utilizing primary sources that have not been previously explored (e.g., Indonesian archives post-conference).

    • New interpretative ideas and varied perspectives influenced secondary literature.

    • Global changes prompt new questions (e.g., the end of the Cold War opened inquiries into Bandung's significance in decolonization).

The Cold War Context (1945-1955)

  • Timeline of Key Events

    • 1945: Europe is divided with the inception of the "Iron Curtain" (Winston Churchill).

    • August 1945: The atomic age begins (US drops bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki).

    • 1945: Soviet domination begins in Eastern Europe.

    • 1949: Soviets acquire atomic bomb; NATO is established.

    • 1950-1955: Korean War unfolds.

    • 1953: Hydrogen bomb developed.

    • 1955: Warsaw Pact formed.

    • 1961: Berlin Wall erected.

Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain”

  • Quote

    • Churchill describes:

    • “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended… all are subject to the Soviet sphere.”

Decolonization Timeline

  • Key Events

    • 1919: Dissolution of empires (Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, German).

    • 1922: Egypt gains independence.

    • 1947: India and Pakistan emerge from British India partition.

    • 1949: Indonesia gains independence from the Netherlands.

    • 1953: Laos, Cambodia liberated from France.

    • 1957: Ghana, Morocco, Malaysia gain independence.

Colonial Affiliations Before 1945

  • Types

    • Independent nations before 1945.

    • Countries colonized by French, British, Dutch, Belgian, Japanese, and American powers.

The Concept of “Third World”

  • Origin

    • Coined by Alfred Sauvy in 1952 in his essay "Trois mondes, une planète" (Three Worlds, One Planet).

    • Refers to countries unaligned with the Western or Eastern blocs during the Cold War.

  • Demographic Justification

    • The Third World mirrored the peasantry of the French Revolution, desired recognition and respect akin to the First World.

  • Contemporary Replacement

    • The term “Third World” is often replaced with “global South” or “developing nations”.

Historiography Defined

  • Definition

    • Historiography refers to the body of historical writings on past events.

    • It requires analyzing the evolving interpretations and methodologies historians have taken concerning these events rather than just studying the events themselves.

Bandung Conference Principles

  • Ten Principles

    1. Respect for fundamental human rights and principles of the UN Charter.

    2. Recognition of equality among all races.

    3. Non-interference in internal affairs of other countries.

    4. Right to self-defense, both individually and collectively.

    5. Non-alignment with collective defense pacts serving superpowers' interests.

    6. Abstaining from aggression towards other countries.

    7. Resolution of conflicts as per the UN Charter.

    8. Promotion of mutual respect, equality, and friendship among nations.

Key Quotations Regarding the Bandung Conference

  • George McTurnan Kahin (1956)

    • Reflects on the confidence gained by nations participating in the conference for better decision-sharing with the West.

  • Richard Wright’s Perspective

    • Described the conference as vital for addressing racialism and colonialism among nearly all nations of Asia and Africa.

    • Expressed amazement at its significance as a meeting point for humanity within geopolitical contexts.

Historical Context: 1955 & US Civil Rights Movement

  • Significant Events

    • Lynching of Emmett Till prompts Civil Rights activism.

    • Rosa Parks’ act of resistance challenges Jim Crow laws and racial segregation.

Maps and Diagrams

  • Geographical Context

    • Maps detail regions involved, highlighting the significance of the Bandung Conference within Asia and Africa, including areas of decolonization and historical colonial influence.