Independence and Development in the Global South Ch. 22 1914-Present
Toward Freedom: Struggles for Independence See the “end” of empires post WWII Nationalism (in a good way) key factor National self-determination Belief in autonomy growing stronger Although not always followed in practice USSR last territorial empire 15 new nations developed
Independence in Africa and Asia Colonial rule no longer necessary 2nd-3rd generation of Western educated elites No longer need the assistance of the West to manage an industrial based country Businesses and corporations integrated into society Western powers did not need be in charge if they were connected economically Save money by not paying for colonial governments
No independence movement would have been possible without the action of the people
Comparing Freedom Struggles
The Case of India: Ending British Rule History of Indian culture did not create a national identity More local, small groups, tribes, linguistic, or religious British rule helped create an “Indian” identity Never assimilated into Indian culture Modernization connected more people within India
INC- Indian National Congress 1885- by Western-Educated Indian elites Not aggressive in their demands Wanted more political power in determining what is best for India Criticized by British for being “native” and lower caste Indians for being too “elitist” Post WWI British promised after war the “gradual development of self governing institutions” within India Never happened Tensions grow
Mohandas Gandhi Born in the business caste Studied law in England Got a job in S. Africa Witness to racism Motivates him to take a stand Helped in creating a unified Indian identity of Muslims and Hindus Satyagraha (truth force)- Gandhi's confrontational but nonviolent approach toward gaining independence
Gandhi returns to India in 1914 and rises through the ranks of the INC Transformed the INC into a mass organization Tolerance for all walks of life in India Sought to transform the moral lives of individuals Helped in raising the status of the Untouchables while not fully disrupting the caste system Targeted modernization as the root problem in India Did not want to industrialize Not all groups supported Gandhi Many focused on other aspects Not all could support opposing religions Some wanted more modernity
India’s cultural and religious diversity makes independence difficult See the rise of Muslim organizations Muslims were the minority in India and feared that Hindu control of govt could lead to suppression of Muslims The All-India Muslim League- 1906 Muhammad Ali Jinnah (leader of Muslim league 1913-1947) Argued that that the Muslim dominated areas should have a separate political status Pakistan
The End of British rule 1947 India gained Independence Was divided into Pakistan and India (partition) Pakistan – majority Muslim India- majority Hindu Bloody confrontations Over 1 million dead, and 12+ million refugees Gandhi assassinated in 1948
The Case of South Africa: Ending Apartheid
South Africa gained independence in 1910 Gov’t controlled by a small non-native white population 20% of population Black African majority had no political rights South Africa had a strong, functional, government and industrial economic system in place Boers or Afrikaners White political class descended from original Dutch ownership living in S. Africa Blacks relied on white business for livelihood Lots of Western industry and investment in the region Black natives worked for the white owned industry
Apartheid – political laws separating races ANC- African National Congress Established in 1912, based on INC Middle class men wanting to be accepted as civilized men Used nonviolence for decades – unsuccessful 1950’s – begin changing direction – more aggressive in their nonviolence (boycotts, burning ID’s, etc)
By the 1960’s, they began to become more militant Black consciousness developing 1964 Nelson Mandela arrested 27 yrs for role in protests 1976 Soweto Protests – hundreds killed State of Emergency declared in 1980 Youth street violence Internal and global pressures start to rise in the mid-late 1980’s Agreed to open political negotiation with the ANC 1990 – Mandela released from prison Start to see abandonment of major apartheid laws, legalization of the ANC 1994- open free elections that gave the ANC power Nelson Mandela voted as first black African President
Experiments with Freedom
Experiments with Political Order: Comparing African Nations and India Once colonial regions gain their independence they found themselves in a “now what?!?” situation Seemed like it was a big experiment until they were able to find a govt system that worked Still this today (South Sudan, Libya Syria, etc….)
Too little too late for Africa Colonial powers tried at last minute to institute democratic principles into the colonies (1950s) Tried to ease democracy in the political turnover of the country Too weak 1970’s – democratic govts falling apart, military coups, and formation of several one- party states Many in African become dictators or highly authoritarian India transitioned much better Britain gave them gradual control
Tribal Ethnic affiliation strong within political movts and parties Africa and Middle Eastern cultural less adapable to western democratic government models Tribal Ethnic affiliation strong within political movts and parties Leads to inequalities, corruption, and violence Even genocide (Rwanda, Darfur, etc…) African economies never did as well as expected Govts often corrupted by corporate wealth Military takes larger role in Africa and Latin America Seize power throughout 70’s-80’s 80’s-Current: Seems to be a recent resurgence of democratic desires
Asia and India seem to be faring well China is world’s 2nd largest economy India is 10th, but has a huge rising tech and medical industries Modernization and growth of the Middle Class Africa and Middle East are declining Failing democracies Civil wars Ethnic and religious division
Experiments with Culture: The Role of Islam in Turkey and Iran
Muslim world in Middle East struggled to balance modernity with tradition and faith
Turkey: Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Turkey develops a desire to modernize by becoming more “Western” Separate Islam and politics Difficult bc it is ingrained in culture Sufi organizations, temples, etc were abolished Sharia law abolished Banned fez attempt to create a cultural revolution Gave more rights to women (suffrage 1934) After Atatürk died started to revert back Islamic Party eventual elected, rules reversed
By the 1960’s most of Middle East struggling More conflict with the West Growth of Islamic revival movts
Iran Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (ruled 1941-79) modernized Iran became a major US ally Implements several “Westernized” reforms Backlash from lower classes, religious leaders (ulama), immigrants, merchants Many religious groups against Western influence and states control of several religious institutions Shah did not tolerate opposition Uses force Begins punishing the religious communities
Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini Iranian Revolution Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini rises to power in 1979 Sparks cultural revolution toward traditional Islam Opposite of Ataturk Government described as Islamic Republic Elected parliament Constitution Ruled by Islamic clerics Ulama (led by Khomeini) has major influence Iran becomes major industrial nation in Middle East
Religious leaders have the highest power Any attack on them was seen as an attack on Allah Impose sharia Believed that the purpose of government was to apply sharia Judges trained in sharia Restructures education to fit Islamization Women’s rights restricted 1983 – must wear hijab Head to toe covering Sexual segregation in schools, parks, public trans Legal marriage at age 9 with consent (married =no school)
Iran represents the Shi’ite populations Saudi Arabia (and Iraq used to) = Sunni Iran-Iraq War 1980 Suddam Hussein (Sunni) Saddam invades Iran Two opposite govts, religious sects (Sunni/Shia) Eight year war 80-88 No defined winner After Khomeini died, successors loosen up a bit 2005- rise of more conservative govt = more restrictions Maintain oil wealth and use it to remain up-to- speed with the modernizing world 2014- Current = US and Iran opening relations Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – Iran Nuclear Deal Signed Jan. 2015