DECOLONIZATION AND THE COLD WAR
DECOLONIZATION
INDEPENDENCE OF ASIA AND AFRICA World War II led to end of European imperialism in India, Indochina,
Africa, and Indonesia Called decolonization Nazi Germany and imperial Japan had discredited imperialistic beliefs
Can’t fight for democracy in Europe and deny it to Africa and Asia… Most Europeans exhausted of warfare
Not always bloodless though…
DECOLONIZATION IN INDIA First country to
achieve independence in post-war period
Independence movement started in late 19th century
Formed in 1885 Indian National Congress main organization dedicated to independence Mohandas Gandhi,
leader of the Congress, used non-violence
DECOLONIZATION IN INDIA Non-violence
Gandhi was a pacifist Used passive resistance where Indians passively
suffered British beating and violence without fighting back
Civil disobedience Disobey unjust British laws Salt March – protest British salt tax Also conducted fasts and refused to work for the
British Indians jailed in ever-increasing numbers
Cottage industries Boycott British-made cotton goods and buy goods
made in India Rebuild India’s industries and raise living
standards
DECOLONIZATION IN INDIA Indian hoped for
independence after WWI but were denied Winston Churchill one of
the opponents Gandhi refused to
support British in WWII Many Indians still
fought in WWII in Germany and Japan
British leaders recognized they could no longer resist
India given independence in 1947
DECOLONIZATION IN INDIA British delay
independence because of fear of violence between Hindus and Muslims
Muslin leaders led by Mohammed Ali Jinnah told British wanted separate Muslim state
Independence given in 1947 and put into two nations – India and Pakistan
India – Hindu; Pakistan – Muslim
DECOLONIZATION IN INDIA Because of large Muslim
populations in east and west, Pakistan became divided Hindu India in the middle
and over 1,000 miles Millions moved after
independence granted Thousands killed in
riots during mass migrations because of religious prejudices
DECOLONIZATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Dutch ruled East Indies, Britain ruled Burma and Malay Peninsula, and France most of Indochina
Nationalist feelings spread from India
Japan kicked out Europeans and nationalist leaders expected full independence
DECOLONIZATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Philippines US owned islands
in Pacific Given
independence in 1946
Burma and Malaysia Given independence
from Great Britain in 1948
DECOLONIZATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA Indonesia
Declared independence in 1945 but had to fight Dutch troops until 1949 when Netherlands finally recognized Indonesia independence
Vietnam Guerillas, led by Ho Chi
Minh, began war with French and won independence in 1954
Vietnam divided in two – Communist state in north and pro-western state in the south
We will be returning to Vietnam…
THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Egypt Britain gave Egypt
independence in 1922 British troops in Egypt
to protect Suez Canal and King of Egypt a British puppet
Gamel Nasser overthrew Egyptian King in 1953
THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Saudi Arabia became independent during inter-war period (between WWI and WWII)
After WWII, France gave independence to Tunisia, Libya, Lebanon, and Syria
THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Algeria
Over 1 million Frenchmen in Algeria Assumed Algeria would
became a part of France 1954 – Algerian
nationalists launched violent struggle for independence
French army fought for almost 8 years
Algeria gained independence in 1962, and French settlers fled the country
THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Palestine and Transjordan 1917 – British promised
Jewish homeland in Palestine (Balfour Declaration)
Many Arabs viewed Zionism (migration of Jews to Palestine) as a form of European imperialism
Limited Jewish emigration to Palestine to prevent Arab uprising
After Holocaust many Jews wanted to migrate to Palestine
British feared end of colonial rule would lead to civil war
Brought problem to UN
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT
Arab-Israeli Conflict Jewish
immigration to Palestine had swelled during 1930s-40s due to Nazi persecution
Arabs opposed admitting more Jews
1948 – Britain gave up control of Palestine
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT
UN decided to create two states – Israel (for Jews) and West Bank and Gaza Strip (for Arabs) Existence became
(and still is) a central political issue in the Middle East
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT Israel’s War for
Independence 1948 – five
neighboring Arab countries rejected Israel
Launched an attack and were defeated
Jordan seized the West Bank, Egypt took the Gaza Strip, and Israel took slices from each
Many Palestinians fled and became refugees in neighboring Arab lands
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT
Suez Canal Crisis of 1956 Gamel Abdul
Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal and closed it to Israel
Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt
US and Soviet Union demanded they stop
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT Six Day War
1967 – Israel defeated enemies in 6 days and acquired the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, and Golan Heights
Yom Kippur War (1973) Egypt and Syria launched
surprised attack on Jewish holiday
Israel repelled Arab forces and kept Sinai Peninsula from Egypt
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT
OPEC and Oil 1970 – oil producing
countries formed Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
During 1973 war with Israel, Persian Gulf countries refused to sell oil to Israel-friendly countries
Higher oil prices led to greater wealth and influence for them
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT Camp David Accords
(1978) Egyptian President
Anwar al-Sadat and Israel Prime Minister Menachim Begin visited President Carter in Camp David
Agreed Israel would return Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in exchange for peace
Other Arab countries denounced agreement and broke off diplomatic relations with Egypt
1981 – Arab extremists assassinated President Sadat
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT Israel and the
Palestinians PLO
1964 – Palestinian Arabs formed Palestinian Liberation Organization
Refused to recognize Israel and vowed to win back homeland
Terrorism 1960s and 1970s PLO
used terrorism as a weapon
Some Palestinians felt it was the only way
Hijacked planes, attacked an Israeli school, and murdered 11 Israeli athletes in 1972 Olympics in Munich
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT
Israel and the Palestinians War in Lebanon
PLO first in Jordan and later moved to Lebanon
1975 – civil war between Lebanese Christians, Sunni Muslims, and Shi’ite Muslims
1976 – Syria invaded Lebanon
1978-1982 – Israeli army entered Lebanon to destroy PLO camps
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT Israel and the
Palestinians Intifada (“Uprising”)
West Bank and Gaza Strip taken in Six Day War had Palestinian populations
1987 – Palestinians who grew up under Israeli occupation started violent demonstrations
Israel tired to contain protests without success
Some Jews built own settlements in West Bank and Gaza Strip which was resented
PROGRESS IN ARAB-ISRAELI RELATIONS Establishment of
Palestinian Authority and talks on future statehood
Middle East Peace Conference (1991) After first Gulf War, US
pressured Arab and Israeli leaders to sit and talk
Israel’s new Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin entered secret negotiations with PLO leader Yassir Arafat
Reached Oslo Accords 1993 – Israel promised to
give Palestinians control of West Bank and Gaza Strip
PLO agreed to recognize Israel’s existence
Israel also signed treaty with Jordan
PROGRESS IN ARAB-ISRAELI RELATIONS Second Intifada
Lack of progress led to another Palestinian uprising in 2001
Israel’s new Prime Minister Ariel Sharon attacked Arafat’s compound in response
2002 – started building the West Bank Barrier (wall separating West Bank from Israel)
Following year Sharon announced dismantle all Israeli settlements in West Bank and Gaza Strip
Israel left settlements in Gaza in 2005
PROGRESS IN ARAB-ISRAELI RELATIONS Divisions among
Palestinians PLO leader Yassir Arafat
died in 2004 Led to split for who
supported Fatah (Arafat’s political party) or more radical party Hamas
Hamas still refused to recognize Israel’s right to exist
Hamas considered a terrorist organization
Hamas won popular election in Gaza in 2006 while Fatah remained in power in West Bank
PROGRESS IN ARAB-ISRAELI RELATIONS
New Attempts at Negotiations 2007 Israel Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to negotiate future control of Jerusalem, existence of Jewish settlements in West Bank, and rights of Palestinian refugees who left Israel
PROGRESS IN ARAB-ISRAELI RELATIONS Israel Strikes Against
Hezbollah and Hamas While negotiating with Fatah
leaders, Israel faced rocket attacks from Hezbollah activists in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip
2006 – Hezbollah fired rockets in Israel and kidnapped 2 Israeli soldiers
Israel invaded Southern Lebanon to destroy Hezbollah military bases
UN based resolution to end fighting and promised to disarm Hezbollah
Israel withdrew but Hezbollah has refused to disarm
PROGRESS IN ARAB-ISRAELI RELATIONS 2008 – Israel launched
air strikes and sent troops in Gaza Strip to halt rocket attacks
Most world leaders recognized right to defend self but criticized severity
Progress towards peace has been slow
Security of Israel against terrorism, right of Palestinians to own state, and future status of Jerusalem all still unresolved
DECOLONIZATION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Before WWII British and French had already educated some native Africans for self-government (Brits) and to absorb them into their country (France)
Small educated elite became leaders of new nationalist movements
DECOLONIZATION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Kwame Nkrumah In Gold Coast, followed
Gandhi’s example. Won independence for
Gold Coast in 1957 Named it Ghana after
historic West African kingdom
First black African colony to win independence
Sub Sahara Africa followed Ghana’s example
Some conflicts arose Some tribal groups attempted
to secede from new nations Most part former African
colonies became new nations without major wars.
CONFLICTS IN POST-COLONIAL WORLD
INSTABILITY IN AFRICA Many newly independent
nations became one-party states. Party that fought for
independence became the only legal party
Nationalist leaders sometimes assumed dictatorial powers
Military leaders many times took charge
Also had a major issue of tribalism Nations based on colonial instead
of tribal boundaries Led to civil wars between tribes or
tribes trying to split
Africa states also struggling to improve agriculture, industry, build schools and hospitals, and raise standards of living
APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA 1948 – white minority of
mostly Dutch-speaking Afrikaners (Boers) introduced apartheid – racial separation
South Africans separated by race No intermarriage and lived
in separate communities Many black Africans resisted it 1960 – several anti-
apartheid demonstrators were killed by police in Sharpesville Massacre
Soweto Uprising 1976 – riots spread through black townships
APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA Nelson Mandela was lead
of anti-apartheid African National Congress Imprisoned in 1962
US and other western countries refused to do business with South Africa
White South Africans elected F.W. de Klerk as President in 1989 Released Mandela and other
anti-apartheid leaders A new constitution was written
1994 – held first election all races permitted to vote
Nelson Mandela first black President
CONFLICTS IN S. ASIA
Tensions continued between Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan
Disagreed over control of Kashmir, province north of India
Shortly after independence, Mohandas Gandhi assassinated by Hindu extremist
Death led to rioting and violence in India
CONFLICTS IN S. ASIA
1947 – Jawaharla Nehru became India’s first Prime Minister
Daughter Indira Gandhi followed him as India’s Prime Minster for 15 years First women to serve
as head of state or country
Both her and son Rajiv Gandhi later assassinated by political extremists
CONFLICTS IN S. ASIA
Pakistan consisted of East and West Pakistan
1971 – East Pakistan broke away to create Bangladesh
Bitter fighting until India intervened on Bangladesh’s behalf Bangladesh still one
of the world’s poorest countries
THE COLD WAR
ORIGINS OF THE COLD WAR
Category Soviet Union American DemocracyPolitical System One political party, the
CommunistsA multi-party democracy
Organizations All labor groups and other associations are run by the Communist Party
Unions and other organizations openly negotiate with employers
Economic System Industries and farms are owned by the state; central planners determine the nation’s economic needs; limited private property; education and health care provided by the state
Free enterprise system; private ownership of property; supply and demand determine prices; people meet their own needs with some limited government involvement
Religion Religion is discouraged Free exercise of religion
Individual Rights Secret police arrest opponents; censorship; no free exercise of beliefs
Freedom of the press and expression
COLD WAR BEGINS IN EUROPE
US and USSR world’s two superpowers US had economic
power and atom bomb USSR had Red Army
Each wanted to extend influence, causing the “Cold War” Two superpowers never
confronted each other directly in warfare
Dominated world events for next 45 years
COLD WAR IN EUROPE
Before end of WWII, Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill met at Yalta Conference in 1945 Plans for post war
world Divide Germany into
four zones of occupation
Stalin promised free elections in E. Europe
COLD WAR IN EUROPE Iron Curtain
Stalin didn’t keep promise of free elections
Soviet Army occupied E. Europe
Wanted to control E. Europe as buffer zone
Churchill said, “an Iron Curtain has descended on Eastern Europe”
Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and later E. Germany all Soviet satellites
Trade between E and W Europe cut off
E. Europe forced to create Communist economies
GROWING AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT
Western powers fearful Stalin was another Hitler
US only country powerful enough to stop spread of Communism
GROWING AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT Containment
1947 – Britain withdrew troops from Greece, Communist rebels threaten
Truman and US gave aid to them to prevent Communists from taking over
Truman Doctrine and containment – US would not overturn Communism where it was but would take steps to prevent it from spreading any further
GROWING AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT
Containment US also announced
Marshall Plan Gave billions of
dollars in aid to W. Europe to help rebuild war-torn economies
Build future trading partners and help Europeans resist Communism
GROWING AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT Berlin Airlift and
Division of Germany 1948 – Allies merged
zones of occupation in Germany
Stalin closed western highway and railroad links to Berlin (in E. Germany)
Western allies started massive airlift to feed and supply the city
Within a year, Stalin admitted defeat and lifted blockade
GROWING AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT
Division of Germany 1949 – three
Western zones of occupation merged into one, new, independent state – Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)
Stalin turned Soviet zone into German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
NATO AND WARSAW PACT 1949 – US, Canada, and 10 W. European countries
formed North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Protect W. Europe from Communism aggression US pledged to defend W. Europe w/ nuclear weapons
Soviets in 1955 with Warsaw Pact w/ E. European allies Hungary tried to drop out; Soviet forced moved in to stop
uprising
HOW END OF WWII HELPED LEAD TO COLD WAR Emergence of 2 superpowers
Europe’s collapse led to two superpowers – US and USSR
USSR had largest military but US had world’s most productive economy and weaponry
Ideological Differences US wanted democracy,
Soviets wanted Communism New Weapons
Atomic bomb and other new weapons made warfare dangerous
MAD – Mutually Assured Destruction
“Cold War” safer than directly attacking
Soviet Security Fears Fear of future attack after
invasion in 1944 E. Europe buffer zone to
USSR US leaders avoid
Isolationism or Appeasement American leaders fearful of
mistakes of past Reject appeasement and all
Soviet demands Rise of Communism in Asia
Japanese invasion of China weakened Chinese Nationalist Govt
Communist Chinese leaders seized power
COLD WAR IN ASIA - CHINA Chinese leader Chiang
Kai-Shek (Jiang Jieshi) defeated local warlords and united China in 1928
Became engaged in long strong with Chinese Communists (leader Mao Zedong) and Japanese invaders
Mao and Communists retreated to northwestern China in Long March (1934-37)
COLD WAR IN ASIA - CHINA 1937 – Japan invaded
China Nationalists and
Communists work together to fight Japanese
1945 – fighting between themselves again
Soviets helped Communists achieve control of countryside
1949 – Mao and Communists drove Nationalists to Taiwan
COMMUNIST CHINA
All aspects of life under direct control of Communist Party
Mao emphasized role of peasantry More suitable to Asia
COMMUNIST CHINA Elimination of “Capitalist
Class” Landowners, factory-
owners, village leaders, and better-off peasants considered capitalist class
Communists claimed they exploited others
At least one million killed Re-education
Communist beliefs became required learning in all universities and schools
Newspapers and books had to promote Communism
Even music and art done in direct supervision of govt
Family Family authority
replaced by authority of Communists
Children taught to obey the State, not their parents
Ancestor worship was forbidden
Weakened father’s role traditional family leader
COMMUNIST CHINA “Great Leap Forward”
1956 – Mao began forcing peasants into cooperative farms where families shared work and divided crops
Merged into larger communes
1958 – Mao introduced the Five Year Plan
Turn China into an industrial power
Population used to build roads, dams, etc
Poor planning + high cost = economic disaster
China faced starvation and 30-50 million died
KOREAN WAR Western leaders feared
Communism on the march after China
Korea split like Germany with Communist North and non-Communist South
1950 – N. invaded S. Under UN resolution, US and
others intervened Led by Douglas MacArthur, they
invaded N. Korea and pushed them back to Chinese border
China intervened MacArthur wanted to use nukes,
Truman said no and removed MacArthur
1953 – compromise ended war leaving Korea dived the way it was before the war
COMMUNISM IN CHINA Cultural Revolution
1962 – border disputes and Mao’s condemnation of reforms in USSR led to open disagreement between China and USSR
Mao used this as a new bid for world leadership of Communist movement
Mao concerned for loss of enthusiasm for Communist by party officials in China
May have also wanted to cover up mistakes with Great Leap Forward
Push China towards Communist ideal with the Cultural Revolution
Little Red Book of Mao’s sayings served as blueprint
COMMUNISM IN CHINA Cultural Revolution
1966 – Mao closed China’s universities and schools and invited 11 million students to gather in Beijing as Red Guards
Hoped they would revitalize Chinese society
Red Guard traveled through China attacking writers, doctors, professors, factory managers, and party officials for looking down on common people or abandoning Communist ideals
COMMUNISM IN CHINA Cultural Revolution
Scholars and professionals sent to work in the fields
Artwork from dynastic China destroyed
Mao’s opponents w/in the party removed or punished
Many people imprisoned, tortured, and killed
Chinese society became so disrupted by Red Guard, Mao had to use army to control them
Cultural Revolution led to shortage of food and goods
1969 – Red Guard sent to help with farming; violence came to an end
As many as 1 million people may have died
COLD WAR AT ITS HEIGHT
Nuclear Arms Race 1949 – USSR
explored fist atomic bomb
US and USSR also developed most destructive hydrogen bombs and missile to deliver them
Soviets launched first man-made satellite Sputnik in 1957
COLD WAR AT ITS HEIGHT
Nuclear Arms Race US and USSR realized
nuclear weapons too destructive to be used
Instead, deterrents, preventing superpowers from attacking each other
“Balance of Terror” forced them to look for other ways to compete
Became involved in regional conflicts
Some led to warfare on smaller scale
KHRUSHCHEV AND E. EUROPE
1953 – Stalin died Nikita Khrushchev
emerged as next leader of USSR Condemned Stalin’s
atrocities Freed many political
prisoners Attempted to introduce
changes into USSR Triggered unrest in E.
Europe who were unhappy with communism
PROBLEMS AND PROTESTS IN E. EUROPE Poland
1956 – workers went on strike demanding greater freedom
Khrushchev agreed to let Polish reformers handle own affairs if they remained Communist and continued to be loyal member of Warsaw Pact
East Berlin Many East Germans fled to
West through Berlin Khrushchev built wall to
seal E and W Berlin in 1961 Berlin Wall became symbol
of Cold War
Hungary Students launched
demonstrations for reform Unlike Poland, Hungary
threatened to leave Warsaw Pact
Soviet troops sent in 1956 and brutally crushed reform govt
Czechoslovakia 1968 – after Czech leaders
proclaimed a more liberal policy called “Communism with a Human Face”, Soviets sent tanks
Czech leaders replaced with hard-line Communists
COMMUNISM IN LATIN AMERICA Widespread poverty and
repression in Latin America led to spread of Communist beliefs
1959 – Fidel Castro overthrew ruling dictatorship in Cuba Castro promised
democracy but nationalized businesses and killed opponents
US broke off trade Cuba turned to USSR for
help and became Communist state
COMMUNISM IN LATIN AMERICA 1961 – Cuban exiles trained
by CIA invaded Cuba at Bay of Pigs and failed
1962 – US discovered Cuba secretly installing Soviet missiles with nuclear warheads Quick striking distance of US
Cuban Missile Crisis President Kennedy ordered
naval blockade of Cuba and threated to invade
Khrushchev finally agreed to withdraw with pledge US would not invade Cuba
Khrushchev’s failure contributed to removal from power in 1964
VIETNAM WAR Vietnam gain independence
in 1954 and divided Ho Chi Minh created
Communist N. Vietnam S. Vietnam refused to hold
elected to reunify country because elections up north not free
S. Vietnamese Communists called Viet Cong launched guerilla warfare in south
US stepped in to stop Communism Domino Theory First just advisors but
changed when US sent troops in 1964
VIETNAM WAR
US used extensive bombing, large number of helicopters, and half a million troops Not enough to win
1968 Tet Offensive demonstrated strength of Viet Cong
1973 US troops withdrew from Vietnam
1975 S. Vietnam fell to N. Vietnam and reunited as communist
CAMBODIA (KAMPUCHEA) Withdraw of US troops from
Vietnam also led to collapse of govt in Cambodia
1975 – Cambodia Communists, known as Khmer Rouge, seized control
Pol Pot, Khmer Rouge leader, carried out policy of genocide against city dwellers and opponents
Khmer Rouge killed as many as 4 million Cambodians between 1975 and 1978 until finally overthrown by Vietnamese intervention
COLD WAR ENDS
SOVIET STAGNATION (1964-1982) After fall of Khrushchev, USSR
fell in long period of stagnation (failure to advance)
Govt central planners unable to predict people’s needs
People had little incentive to work hard
Farms failed to produce enough food
Living standards fell; alcoholism and corruption grew
“Command” economy unable to compete with market economy
Communist Party members given special privileges
SOVIET STAGNATION (1964-1982) Soviet leaders tried to
ease cold war tensions with détente (cooling down)
Collapsed when USSR sent troops to Czechoslovakia and Afghanistan in crush rebellions
Dissidents like Natan Sharansky (founder of Refusenik Movement) imprisoned for demanding human rights or right to emigrate Released after 9 years in
Soviet concentration camp
SOVIET STAGNATION (1964-1982)
In Afghanistan, Soviet troops engaged in long, drawn-out war Tied up lots of Soviet
soldiers and led to many of their deaths
GORBACHEV YEARS (1985-1991) Mikhail Gorbachev became
leader of the Soviet Union in 1985
Brought reforms with: Glasnost
“openness” to Russian society
Restrictions on speech and press lifted
Dissidents released from prison
Restrictions on emigration lifted
Congress of People’s Deputies created allowing Soviets to elect own representatives
Elected Gorbachev as “President” in 1990
GORBACHEV YEARS (1985-1991)
Gorbachev Reforms: Perestroika
Economic reform Moved away from central planning to encourage more
individual initiative People could form small businesses, factory managers
given control of production Foreign companies invited to invest in USSR
New Directions in Foreign Policy Withdrew troops from Afghanistan in 1988 President Ronald Reagan called USSR “evil empire”,
challenged Gorbachev to “tear down this wall [Berlin Wall]”, threated to create new anti-ballistic defense system
To prevent, entered talks to reduce nuclear arms Also allowed changes in E. Europe, eventually permitting
non-Communist govts there
IRON CURTAIN FALLS IN E. EUROPE Poland led way for change Polish Cardinal of Cracow
elected Pope John Paul II in 1978 First non-Italian pope in 400
years Lech Walesa organized
independent trade union named Solidarity
1981-1983, govt tried to use martial law
Gorbachev came into power in 1985 and opposed using force
1988 – Walesa led strike of workers that spread throughout Poland First E. European nation to elect
non-Communist govt
IRON CURTAIN FALLS IN E. EUROPE
http://youtu.be/7z6dxQVhE8o
http://youtu.be/fK1MwhEDjHg
http://youtu.be/zmRPP2WXX0U
Poland’s changes led to the Iron Curtain lifting elsewhere
Massive demonstrations in E. Europe
Berlin Wall came down November 1989
Free elections in E. Europe brought non-Communist govts to power
GORBACHEV’S PROBLEMS GROW Gorbachev’s policies failed
to solve economic issues New openness unleashed
ethnic nationalism and social discontent
Non-Russian nationalities suddenly demanding independence
1991 – Boris Yeltsin elected President of Russian Republic and began asserting authority over Gorbachev’s Soviet govt
Gorbachev unable to stop w/out returning to old policy of repression
DISSOLUTION OF SOVIET UNION - 1991 August 1991 – Communist
hard-liners temporarily overthrew Gorbachev in military coup Lacking popular support,
failed Communist Party greatly
discredited Gorbachev recognized
independence of Lithuania and other Baltic States Attempted to negotiate new
agreement for Soviet Union Dec 1991 – Russia, Belarus,
an Ukraine all declared independence from Soviet Union
DISSOLUTION OF SOVIET UNION - 1991
Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine formed Commonwealth of Independent States Served limited
functions Other former republics
of USSR joined Commonwealth
Soviet Union dissolved, Gorbachev resigned at end of presidency at end of 1991
REUNIFICATION OF GERMANY
West Germany’s leader Helmut Kohl helped negotiate the reunification Official at end of 1991
Soviet troops withdrew from E. Germany, currencies were merged, and the German legislature voted to move capital of Germany to Berlin
CHANGES IN CHINA While E. Europe and
former USSR struggled with changes, China introduced free enterprise gradually w/out ending monopoly of political power
After Mao died 1976, Deng Xiaoping became China’s leader Opposed Cultural
Revolution Goal was to
“modernize” China
ECONOMIC CHANGES UNDER DENG Land Reforms
Communes were disbanded and peasants allowed to rent former lands
Increase in agricultural productivity
Consumer Goods China began producing more
consumer goods such as radios and TVs
New Factory Management Central planners lost some
degree of control Managers and workers
allowed to sell some of their production to private buyers for a profit
Limited Capitalism Individuals could now own
small businesses Owners allowed to hire a
few workers Private sector responsible
for much of China’s industrial output
Foreign Investment New laws allowed foreign
investment, bringing high-technology and capital to special enterprise zones
Foreign companies allowed to join Chinese enterprises
TIANANMEN SQUARE Chinese leaders refused to
abandon communism 1989 – students peacefully
demonstrating in Tiananmen Square for greater personal freedom and democracy
Students refuse to disperse, so army tanks fired killing hundreds
In response, Western leaders reduced trade with China briefly Since then, trade has resumed
Greater economic freedom has turned China into fastest growing economy in the world
CHALLENGES IN THE WORLD TODAY
RADICAL ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM
Iranian Revolution 1960s-70s, Shah
Reza Pahlavi, ruler of Iran, adopted Western culture and technology
Govt guilty of widespread corruption and brutal repression
Religious leaders held massive widespread demonstrations Led to overthrow of
Shah in 1979
RADICAL ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM Iranian Revolution
Ayatollah Khomeini became Iran’s new leader
Radical Islamic Fundamentalism reaction against values of the West
Strict enforcement of Sharia law
No separation between church and state
New constitution based on Quran
Gave support to acts of terrorism in Lebanon and elsewhere
Permitted seizure of hostages from US Embassy in Tehran
American hostages held for more than a year before released
FIRST GULF WAR Same year as Iranian
Revolution, Saddam Hussein seized power and imposed brutal dictatorship in Iraq
1980, Hussein attacked Iran, leading to bloody 8 year war
Hussein occupied oil-rich Kuwait in 1990
Fearing invasion of Saudi Arabia, US and allies sent troops to expel Iraq from Kuwait
Iraqi forces destroyed but Hussein allowed to stay in power
Hussein’s army soon attacked Kurdish minority in N. Iraq at attempt at genocide
AL-QAEDA AND 9/11
Al-Qaeda was terrorist organization formed by Osama bin Laden
Al-Qaeda considered themselves radicals fighting a holy war or Jihad Vast majority of
Muslims reject their views
Al-Qaeda set up camps in Afghanistan to train members in guerilla war and terrorism
AL-QAEDA AND 9/11
September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda terrorists
living in US hijacked several US airplanes
Flew airplanes into Pentagon and World Trade Center
Towers of World Trade Center collapsed
President George W. Bush and other world leaders declared a “War on Terrorism”
WAR IN AFGHANISTAN Taliban, group of radical Islamic
Fundamentalists, gained control of Afghanistan when Soviets left
Imposed strict religious beliefs Religious police roamed the
streets, beating anyone who disobeyed the strict Islamic laws
Taliban allowed terrorist groups like al-Qaeda to operate training camps
US and allies invaded Afghanistan when refused to turn over bin Laden
Overthrew Taliban, established democratic govt
Violence continued despite occupation
Failed to capture bin Laden
SECOND GULF WAR Saddam Hussein failed
to honor agreement for UN inspectors to monitor Iraq for weapons
US and world leaders insist Iraq show it was not hiding weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)
Some of UN Security Council urged but US, Britain, and allies insisting on invading in 2003
SECOND GULF WAR Hussein’s govt collapsed Hussein fled, but later
captured, tried in Iraqi court, and executed
Iraqis voted on new constitution and elected democratic govt in 2005
No WMDs were found Despite initial success, allied
occupation forces suffered causalities from insurgents
Tensions from Iraq’s ethnic groups continued
American and other foreign troops are slowly being withdrawn from Iraq
GENOCIDE IN THE BALKANS Yugoslavia created in 1918
by combining Serbia to former parts of Austria-Hungary
Communism collapsed in 1991 and country fell apart
Fighting between Orthodox Christian Serbs, Catholic Croats, and Bosnia Muslims
Croatia and Slovenia declared independence, Serb-dominated Yugoslavia attacked Croatia
GENOCIDE IN THE BALKANS Fighting erupted in Bosnia
between Muslims and Serbs. Yugoslavia intervened on Serb’s
behalf Some Bosnia Serbs began
murdered Muslim civilians in Serb-controlled areas for “ethnic cleansing”
Later Serbs attacked Muslims in Kosovo
US and other NATO countries sent in forces to stop the fighting
Bosnia divided into two republics – one Muslim and one Serb
Former Serb leaders charged with committing crimes against humanity
GENOCIDE IN AFRICA Rwanda and Burundi
Small densely populated countries in Central Africa
Both have Hutu majority and Tutsi minority
1972 – bitter fighting between two groups
1994 – Rwanda’s president, a Hutu, killed by mysterious explosion on plane
Event sparked new bloodshed Govt-sponsored Hutu troops
began exterminating Tutsi who were blamed for assassination
UN estimates more than 850,000, about half Tutsi population, slain in Civil War
GENOCIDE IN AFRICA Darfur
1990s – conflict over grazing grounds and farmland territory in western Sudan
Janjaweed, govt backed by militia group of Arab tribesmen, has committed atrocities against black African population
Range from massacres of civilians to rape and forcing people from their homes
More than 200,000 have died and 2 million displaced from homes
UN Security Council calling fo Janjaweed to be disarmed
In 2007 US declared Janjaweed killings as act of genocide
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Govts guilty of politically motivated crimes
Many countries in Latin America violated human rights by imprisoning, torturing, or executing political opponents
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS Cuba
Fidel Castro imprisoned and killed opponents to his rule
Chile Military govt tortured and
killed suspected opponents
El Salvador Death squads gunned
down advocates of reform Archbishop Oscar Romeo
was assassinated after he opposed govt human rights violations and repression
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS Argentina
20,000 people have disappeared during military rule that ended in 1984
Deseparacidos are people who were kidnapped and never heard from again
Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo are mothers and relatives who demand info about where their families are Recently demanded social
reform
WOMEN’S RIGHTS Most societies patriarchal – men
in positions of power and women treated inferior
Women still experienced inferior status in many parts of the world and still do today in some places
Africa and Asia – suffer from forced mutilations when they reach adolescence
Some Islamic countries women must wear veils, refrain from being seen in public, and not permitted to drive
Even in western countries women are often under-represented in politics or top corporate jobs
Many international organizations trying to stop worst abuses of women
INFLUENTIAL WOMEN Mother Teresa (1910-1997)
Born in Macedonia and became Catholic nun
Devoted life to helping impoverished and homeless people in India
Started new Catholic order, Missionaries of Charity
1970 – awarded Nobel Peace Prize
Golda Meir (1898-1978) Born in Russia, grew up in
Wisconsin Migrated in Israel and became
first woman Prime Minister Israeli athletes murdered at
Olympic Games at Munich and attack on Yom Kippur during years as PM (1969-1974)
Had to respond to both events
INFLUENTIAL WOMEN Margaret Thatcher (born
1925) First woman to serve as
Prime Minister of Britain 1970-1990
“Iron Lady” Sold off state-owned
industries Promoted free enterprise Strongly opposed Soviet
communism Sent troops to Falkland
Island from falling to dictatorship in Argentina
CHALLENGE OF GLOBALIZATION
Globalization – greater contact b/w different parts f the world
Communicate and travel more easily
Global economy Companies move
production to other places in world with lower costs
CHALLENGE OF GLOBALIZATION Internet greatly increases
globalization Shipping easier with
containerized cargo – goods packed intro truck-like containers and loaded on cargo ships
Goods flow more easily then ever before with low tariffs or free trade and low shipping costs
Greater connectivity – ease of communication
Advances in info technology, medicine, and engineering spread quickly
Higher standards of living and sped up economic development Local traditions sometimes lost
to new global culture