Chapter 33: Independence in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East

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Chapter 33 Independence in Asia, Africa, and
the Middle East
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Outcomes of Colonialism

• European colonizers established arbitrary
  boundaries and often combined hostile
  ethnic/religious groups.
• Under colonial rule, regional wars and famine had
  been much reduced due to European control
• Now in newly-independent countries, regional wars
  and famine are not as well controlled.
• These become the two major barriers to population
  growth in newly-independent regions.
• Overall, however, populations increased after
  colonial rule because Europeans had aided with
  the eradication of diseases and had improved
  medical treatment, hygiene, and water
  purification.

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Neocolonial Economy

• Largest barrier to economic breakthrough soaring
  populations
• Newly independent nations often lacked complete
  resources and had challenges distributing those
  they did have.
• Rivalries and civil wars consumed many resources
  that could have been devoted to economic
  development.
• Most post-colonial nations wanted to finish
  industrialization and began rapid economic
  development.
• Gold, copper, diamonds exported from South
  African mines
• Neocolonial Economy global economy dominated by
  industrialized and mostly Western nations
• Mostly yields limited returns for Asia, Africa,
  and the Middle East.
• Most newly independent countries rely on the
  export of two or three cash crops or raw
  materials.
• These products fluctuate in price ? strain
  economies (this revenue is used to plan
  government projects).
• Many of these countries rely on international
  organizations for assistance (World Bank
  International Monetary Fund)

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Parasitic Cities and Endangered Ecosystems

• As populations increased in rural areas, mass
  migrations to urban areas occurred.
• Little available land few jobs in cities with
  heavy competition
• Crime in cities increases
• Slum areas (makeshift shelters) often seen in
  close proximity to large, wealthy urban areas.
• Rural overpopulation has led to soil depletion
  and alarming rates of deforestation for livestock
  grazing and farming.
• Many animals are endangered or extinct
• Massive pollution of air and water

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Gender Issues

• In many African and Asian countries, there has
  been resistance to birth control efforts to
  control population growth.
• Result of deeply entrenched social patterns,
  religious beliefs, and skepticism of Western
  influence
• Africa children are critical additions to the
  lineage.
• In developing countries, a high percentage of the
  population (40 in some places) is under the age
  of 15.
• Womens suffrage, but little else, was often
  written into post-colonial constitutions.
• Religious revivalism sometimes erodes womens
  rights.
• Male-centric customs and tradition often result
  in malnutrition in women and children.
• Women saw increased educational and employment
  opportunities.
• Early marriages expected confine women.
• Shariah law imposed in many Muslim countries.
• Female politicians were often connected to
  powerful male politicians (Indira Gandhi)

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Quick Review Question

• What is a neocolonial economy?
• Why are birth control methods often resisted in
  modern Africa and Asia?

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The Emergence of New Nations in Africa
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Kwame Nkrumah (1957-1966)

• 1957 Ghana achieves independence.
• Kwame Nkrumah, Prime Minister of Ghana, was at
  first interested in social reform and economic
  uplift.
• Problems emerge (decreasing demand for cocoa,
  rival political groups).
• Nkrumah assumed dictatorial powers, brutally
  suppressed opposition, and created a form of
  African socialism.
• Drove away Western investors that would have
  likely aided Ghana more
• 1966 Nkrumah journeys to communist Vietnam on a
  peace mission and was deposed by a military coup.
  
• 1972 Dies in exile in Guinea

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South Africa and Apartheid

• Apartheid ensured monopoly of political power
  and economic dominance for white South Africans.
• Homelands (designated areas for ethnic groups)
  were created.
• The African National Congress was declared
  illegal its leaders (incl. Nelson Mandela) were
  jailed.
• President F.W. de Klerk pushed for reforms to
  begin dismantling apartheid.
• Believed apartheid was hurting South Africas
  economy and global reputation
• Key black political prisoners were released in
  1990
• 1994 All adult South Africans were given the
  right to vote ? Nelson Mandela became the first
  black president of South Africa.

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African Ethnic Conflicts

• Central African conflicts were mainly ethnic
  conflicts.
• Many considered genocide target whole
  populations with goal of decreasing their numbers
• Rwanda Hutus (majority) and Tutsis (minority in
  political power)
• Congo (civil war)
• Sudan (government forces and rebel groups)
• Nigeria Biafra secessionist movement
• Violence frequently involves heavily armed
  children and rape.

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Quick Review Question

• What were homelands?
• How did the Apartheid begin to be dismantled?

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New Nations in South AsiaPakistanIndiaBanglade
sh
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Indias Development

• India has preserved civilian rule since UK
  independence (worlds largest democracy)
• First led by Jawarharlal Nehru
• Early Indian government pushed for modernization,
  secularization, and democratization social/econ
  reforms
• Technological improvements
• Green Revolution improve agricultural production
  by increasing crops through high-yield,
  disease-resistant chemically created crops
  fertilizers, irrigation
• Criticized for use of chemicals that cause
  cancer also expensive
• Silicon valleys high tech sectors, with computer
  and Internet experts
• Population growth offsets economic gains.
• Tensions with Pakistan
• Each began developing nuclear weapons
• 2008 Pakistani terrorists attack Mumbai
• Increased concern over tensions in region

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The Middle East in the Cold War Era
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Egypt and Nasser (1954-1970)

• After 1919 Egyptian Revolution, Britain withdraws
  by 1930s (exception Suez Canal Zone).
• Arab-Israeli War of 1948
• Egyptian defeat Egyptian military revolts
• 1952 Khedive Farouk overthrown
• 1954 Gamal Abdul Nasser took power after a
  military coup, with help from the Free Officers
  Movement.
• Military coups often install military-run
  governments that suppress civil liberties and do
  not improve living standards.
• Nasser sponsored land reform and state-financed
  education.
• Suez Canal Crisis of 1956 Nasser (with US and
  USSR aid) end control of British in Suez Canal
  zone.
• Restricted foreign investment to ensure Egypts
  economic independence.
• Nassers reforms failed because of population
  boom, lack of proper funding, and heavy costs of
  military excursions
• 1967 Six-Day War with Israel Nasser defeated.

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Post-Nasser Egypt

• 1970 Anwar Sadat succeeded Nasser after death
• Yom Kippur War (or 1973 Arab-Israeli War)
  Egyptians and Syrians launched surprise attack on
  Israel on Yom Kippur (holiest day of the year for
  Jews)
• Sadat opened Egypt to aid and investment from the
  US and western Europe
• Tries to end costly confrontations with Israel
  expels Russians
• Sadat assassinated by Muslim fundamentalist
• Hosni Mubarak succeeded Sadat.
• 2011 Mubarak overthrown in the Egyptian
  Revolution in the Arab Spring (wave of
  revolutions throughout Arab world)
• Mohamad Morsi eventually succeeded Mubarak
• July 2013 Morsi removed from power

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Irans 1979 Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War
(1980-1988)

• Reza Shah Pahlavi, leader before the revolution
  who was backed by US, was dictatorial,
  repressive, and did not improve conditions in
  Iran.
• 1979 Revolution overthrow of Pahlavi by Islamic
  fundamentalists
• Ayatollahs (religious leaders) concerned by
  Pahlavis disinterest in strict Shia observance
• Middle class dislike Pahlavis oppressive rule
• Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was new ruler who
  emphasized religious revivalism and the
  elimination of satanic Western influences.
• Imposed strict Islamic law (veiling of women)
• Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) Iraq (Saddam Hussein)
  annexed oil-rich provinces in Iranian west.
• 1988 Iran called for an armistice Iran in
  shambles and isolated from the Western powers,
  who supported Iraq.

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Quick Review Question

• What is the Green Revolution?
• What is the result of the Suez Canal Crisis?
• Describe Ayatollah Khomeinis mindset towards the
  West.