Sample question: Examine a region you have studied which has been affected by boundary changes over time

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Sample question Examine a region you have
studied which has been affected by boundary
changes over time

• The Kashmir Region
• A violent clash of cultures after British India
  broke up and new political boundaries were drawn
  up
• 3 Independent States India-Pakistan-Bangladesh
  (Boundary Changes)
• The Kashmir region still has tremendous conflict
  over 60 years later India and Pakistan have
  fought 3 wars to try and settle their claims to
  the disputed region
• All of the Indian states in 1947 after gaining
  independence from Britain had to choose whether
  to form part of Pakistan which was predominantly
  muslim or India which was mainly Hindu
• The Kashmir region had a minority Hindu
  population (25) and a majority muslim population
  (75)

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Kashmir Boundaries changing over time

• Hindus looked to India for support while the
  Muslims looked to Pakistan for support
• Almost immediately after independence a war broke
  out between the two newly formed states
• Many civilians were killed and large numbers fled
  from areas where they were the minority religion
  This meant specific areas became almost
  exclusively Muslim or Hindi
• The United Nations intervened to restore peace
  and come up with a solution A ceasefire Line
  called The Line of Control -
• This was intended to be a temporary solution but
  it has remained in place as a dividing lie
  between the two cultures

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Kashmir Boundaries Changing Over Time

• India now controls aprx. 80 of the Kashmir
  population including large numbers of Muslims who
  are not happy with the situation
• Pakistan does not accept this situation and
  neither does the Muslim population in India
  Kashmir
• Pakistan wants to integrate Kashmir into Pakistan
• The Indus river and some of its main tributaries
  are sourced in India Kashmir and Pakistan wants
  to get control over this vital water source for
  irrigation and industrial development
• Islamic Fundamentalism has increased in the
  region and has increased the amount of conflict
  in the region

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Kashmir Boundaries Changing Over Time

• India and Pakistan have Nuclear capabilities and
  the situation is extremely dangerous Nuclear
  hostilities almost commenced on a number of
  occasions in the past ten years
• Kashmir can be described as the most dangerous
  place on Earth Bill Clinton 1998
• Kashmir is a great example of political
  boundaries changing over time Influenced by
  Britain/India/Pakistan/China/United Nations
• It also shows us the destructive nature of
  cultural/Religious conflict and the quest for
  control over important natural resources (water)