Introduction to humanities and history

Dr. Sivabala Naidu

sivabala@eltc.edu.my

To describe and discuss Humanities

To explain the importance of Humanities

To discuss key historical events of the twentieth century

Study of human concerns

Different from natural processes (e.g. physics or chemistry).

From classical Greek paideia which means general education

To prepare young men for citizenship

Dates back to the 5th century.

Deals with the great traditions of the past

Develops critical thinking

Improve creativity and sensitivity to the environment

One facet in the study of humanities.

Other areas are geography, performing arts, visual arts, philosophy etc.

The first Zionist Congress was held in Swtzerland (1897)

It led to the formation of the World Zionist Organisation with the aim of creating a Jewish state in Palestine

Arab nationalism grew in response to this with Palestine at the centre of conflict

British claimed Palestine after its war with the Ottomans (Turkey)

Thus the fight for Palestine intensified

British handed the issue of ownership of Palestine to the UN (1947)

A UN Special Commission was set up to settle the dispute

The commission decided to split the territory (Partition of the territory)

The Zionists accepted the proposal but the Arabs rejected it

Brought to the UN general assembly which accepted the proposal

The issue is still in conflict

Started approximately around 100BC in the Bujang Valley in Kedah

Evidence: Candi Batu Pahat in Bujang Valley (located in Merbok, Kedah)

Integration of Hindu administration and Indian traditions

Via ancient Hindu governments

Example: Srivijaya a centre of trade and commerce in the Malay archipelago

Founded in 1400 by a Hindu prince from Palembang (Parameswara)

He set up a maritime government

Prospered because of its strategic location

Malacca was at its peak under Sultan Mansur Shah

Internal rivalry and corruption caused its decline

The Portuguese captured Malacca in 1511

European colonial expansion began with this invasion

The British developed an interest in Malaya in the mid 18th century

First acquisition: Penang from Kedah

Second acquisition: Singapore from Johor

Third acquisition: Malacca from the Dutch

Malaya experienced economic growth

Vital commodities: tin and rubber

Chinese and Indian migration increased

Stark divisions between Malays, Chinese and Indians existed due to British policies

The British ruled over Malaya till 1942

Defeated by the Japanese in WW2

Japanese imposed military rule: decline in economy

The British returned in 1945: focus on the economy and administration

Formed the ‘Malayan Union’: gave equal rights of citizenship to all.

Malays were upset with the disregard for their rights and that of the respective states

UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) was established

British abandoned the Malayan Union.

Established a federal administrative structure

Offered citizenship to non-Malay immigrants

Federation of Malaya came into being in 1948.

The Malayan Indian Congress (MIC) and Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) were formed.

Alliance with UMNO

The Alliance won in 1955

Achieved independence in 1957

By 1900, Germany produced more steel than France and Britain

Germans believed that they were superior

They began to tap into African, Middle East and Asian markets

The British were unhappy with German’s success

Germany formed the Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy

Germans build their naval force

British felt threatened

British-France-Russia formed the Triple Entente

A series of violent events occurred.

In Bosnia (1908), Morocco (1911) and Balkans (1913)

Led to the First World War (1914-1918)

Ended because of Allied attack on Germany in Sept, 1918.

Triggered by the German assault on Poland (1940)

They overran the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France

France signed an armistice with Hitler

British felt betrayed and sought US-help

Japan, Italy and Germany formed the Axis

Russians, British and Americans formed the Allied forces

The allied forces succeeded in the final years of the war (1944-1945)

On 30 April 1945 Hitler committed suicide

Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945

Lost of lives was massive.

Not all the dead were soldiers.

Many civilians, Jews, women and children were also killed.

War is unjustified!