Unrest in Asia and Africa

China after WWI In 1917 China declared war on Germany hoping that after the war the Allies would return German colonies in China to the Chinese. However the Treaty of Versailles gave those colonies to Japan. In response on May 4, 1919 thousands of protestors (mostly students) demanded change in Beijing. Strikes and protests swept through the country in what was later called the May Fourth Movement.

China after WWI Many Chinese did not support their current government and favored communism. The Communists joined with the Guomindang nationalists led by Chiang Kai-Shek to fight warlords and foreign imperialism. Chiang Kai-Shek later turned against the communists and in 1927 a civil war broke out in China

China after WWI Many communists survived the Guomindang attack, including Mao Zedong who became the Communist leader in China. Mao and the other survivors went on a 6000 mile journey (The Long March) in search of a safe place in China outside of the Guomindang influence. Mao started with 100,000 but ended with only 8000 due to death and desertion.

Changes in India Around 800,000 Indians fought in WWI with the British. Upon returning home Indian soldiers found that their bravery had not won them any freedom Anger and unrest among the Indian population grew.

Changes in India Rowlatt Acts – passed in 1919 it allowed the British forcefully deal with the growing opposition in India. Amritsar Massacre – in 1919 at a protest British soldiers opened fire on a large crowd of unarmed Indians. Nearly 400 people were killed and many Indians were convinced that they must rid themselves of British rule.

Changes in India Mohandas Gandhi – an Indian lawyer who organized protests against Britain. Gandhi held two main beliefs. 1) ahimsa – nonviolence toward all living things. 2) civil disobedience – a refusal to obey unjust laws. Gandhi used these ideas to lead boycotts of British goods and an increase in Indian goods. Gandhi inspired millions of Indians to resist British rule.

The Middle East The Treaty of Versailles broke up the Ottoman Empire and planned to give most of its land to Greece and other nations. In October 1923 ethnic Turks led by Kemal Ataturk announced the creation of the Republic of Turkey. Ataturk made Turkey a secular government without control of the Muslims

The Middle East The Jewish nationalist movement, known as Zionism, continued to grow Balfour Declaration – a promise from the British government to support a Jewish homeland in Palestine. However, both the French and British did not give any nationalist movements the land they wanted and instead held onto the land as colonies. Eventually the British gave up their claims and the nations of Jordan and Iraq were created. Jews began to come to Palestine causing conflict over land which still occurs today.

Africa Many Africans felt they had earned their independence by fighting in WWI. Instead of becoming independent Germany’s African colonies were given to other nations as mandates rather than obtaining independence.

Africa In 1919 a series of meetings called the Pan-African Congresses met to begin the process of African independence After a series of protests and battles Egypt was given independence in 1922 from Britain However, most other African nations did not achieve independence until after WWII

Question of the Day How did World War I lead to conflict and unrest throughout Africa and Asia?