1. Independence Movements and Human Rights

2. Independence in India
independence movement in India began with the creation of the Indian National Congress in 1885
the Muslim population of India felt ignored and therefore formed the Muslim League in 1906
Muslims feared the Hindus would dominate government once independence was achieved
nationalism gained strength in India after World War I but religious conflicts created problems

3. Independence in India
Mohandas Gandhi was the leader of the independence movement in India
he called for nonviolent protests of British rule
boycotts of British goods
encouraged Indians to make their own clothing rather than buying from the British
fasting
he organized the Salt March in 1930 to protest British attempts to force Indians to buy British salt

4. Independence in India Gandhi’s methods were effective
in 1935, the British gave Indians the right to self-rule
following World War II, the British were ready to grant India independence but feared problems would exist between Hindus and Muslims
as a result, the British divided the region into two countries: India for Hindus and Pakistan for Muslims (split into two separate territories East and West Pakistan)

6. India and Pakistan
as Hindus and Muslims moved to their new countries, violence erupted between the two groups and nearly 1 million people were killed
the two countries fought over the region of Kashmir – an area in the northern part of India that remained mostly Muslim
the U.N. intervened in 1948 and enforced a cease-fire
Pakistan controlled 1/3 of Kashmir
India controlled the rest of the region
struggle for control of the region still goes on today

7. Pakistan
after independence, the country had internal struggles as well
most of the people and the government were located in West Pakistan
East Pakistan felt ignored by West Pakistan
East Pakistan declared its independence in 1971 and, with the help of India, won a civil war with West Pakistan and became the country of Bangladesh

8. Tensions in Africa and Asia
India
nearly 10 million Muslims and Hindus had to be relocated
violence between the two groups led to nearly 1 million dead
Gandhi was murdered as a result of the violence
Kashmir is still fought over today

9. Independence Elsewhere in Asia
following World War II, other colonies in Asia achieved independence
Philippines (USA)
Sri Lanka, Burma, Malaysia, and Singapore (Great Britain)
Indonesia (Netherlands)

10. Independence in Africa
following World War II, nationalist movements in Africa gained popularity
Ghana was the first Sub-Saharan African country to receive independence in 1957 (from Great Britain)
Kwame Nkrumah led Ghana to independence much like Gandhi did in India with peaceful means (strikes, boycotts, etc.)

11. Independence in Africa
Algeria
Algerians had to fight the French for independence
formed the Algerian National Liberation Front and won independence in 1962
Kenya
British settlers did not want Kenyan independence
some groups, like the Mau Mau, used guerilla warfare against the British settlers
Jomo Kenyatta was a nationalist leader accused of supporting the Mau Mau and imprisoned
in 1963, Kenya received its independence and Kenyatta became the first president

12. Independence in Africa
Angola fought the Portuguese for independence
the Congo experienced violence and war after receiving independence
during colonial days, the country was exploited by the Belgians
Africans had not been trained to run their own governments
as a result, rival ethnic groups fought each other for power, allowing dictators to take control of the country

13. Human Rights

14. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
issued in 1948 by the United Nations
set human rights standards for all nations
listed specific rights every human should have
defined genocide
as a result, colonialism by European countries became less and less popular
boundaries created by Europeans in Africa led to much tension in newly independent countries

15. Tensions in Africa and Asia
newly independent countries had many problems
dictators as rulers
civil wars (Rwanda, Sudan, etc.) that led to more violations of human rights, genocide
lack of democracy – many did not see democracy until the early 2000s (Kenya, Ghana, Congo)

16. South Africa apartheid African National Congress
policy of racial segregation
instituted in 1948
separated blacks and whites in nearly every aspect of life
favored whites over blacks
African National Congress
formed in response to apartheid
opposed segregation and favored racial equality
the group was considered illegal by the government
led by Nelson Mandela (who was imprisoned)

17. South Africa End of apartheid
in 1989, F.W. DeKlerk was elected president of South Africa
he legalized the ANC and released Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990
DeKlerk also began to repeal apartheid laws
in 1994, free elections were held in South Africa and Nelson Mandela was elected president
Mandela would remain president until 1999