Nationalism and Revolution Around the World 1910-1939

WORLD HISTORY CHAPTER 12 SECTION 2

What is Nationalism in Africa and the Middle East Africans Resist Colonial Rule  During the early 1900’s, most of Africa was claimed by one of the European powers.  Africans were forced off of the best lands, and were forced to work in the mines or on the plantations.  Africans who did have their own land were not allowed to grow the most profitable crops, or were forced to grow cash crops instead of food.

 During WWI, more than a million Africans served in the trenches in Europe, with the hope that this would bring some benefit, but in this, they were disappointed.

What isNationalism in Africa and the Middle East cont.

Opposing Imperialism  Many Africans hoped that President Woodrow Wilson’s dedication to self-determination would include Africa, but if anything, conditions got worse.  In this environment, socialism found a ready audience.

What isNationalism in Africa and the Middle East Cont.

Racial Segregation and Nationalism in South Africa  Racial discrimination was perhaps worst in South Africa,  where Native Africans were, by law, not allowed to have certain jobs,  had to live in ghettos, needed passes to go anywhere, and were forbidden to vote.

What isNationalism in Africa and the Middle East Cont.

 These segregation laws collectively were called Apartheid.

 South Africa was also home to a growing African rights movement, the African National Congress.  Though they had little real power, the ANC built a framework for political action that would be crucial in later years.

What is Nationalism and an “Africa for Africans” In the 1920’s, a movement known as Pan-Africanism began to emphasize a message of Africa for Africans, and to resist colonial rule.

Pan-African Congress Forges Ties  In 1919, W.E.B. Dubois, a Harlem Renaissance writer, helped to organize a Pan-African Congress in Paris, where the Allies were debating the Paris Peace Conference.  The Pan-African Congress lobbied the Peace Conference to formally include rights for Africans.  While this did not happen, it established cooperation between African Nations.

What is Nationalism and an “Africa for Africans” The Negritude Movement Shows Pride  As a part of changing attitudes, Africans began to celebrate African heritage, looking at the ancient cultures that have existed there, rejecting the negative stereotypes.

Egypt Gains Independence  Egypt, unlike other African nations, was able to take advantage of political sensitivities, and by resisting British rule, managed to gain independence in 1922.

Turkey and Persia Modernize Ataturk Sets Goals  Though the Ottoman Empire collapsed at the end of WWI, the Ottoman Turks held the Turkish Peninsula, and fought to build a modern nation.

 In 1920, the Ottoman Sultan signed the Treaty of Sevres, giving up their Arab lands, as well as lands to Greece.  But when Greece tried to assert it’s claims, a Turkish nationalist, Mustafa Kemal, overthrew the Sultan, and threw the Greeks out.  He took the name Ataturk, and commenced to pull Turkey, kicking and screaming, into the modern age.

Turkey and Persia Modernize cont.

Westernization Transforms Turkey  Ataturk created a secular Turkey, encouraged industrial expansion, set up factories, and brought in Westerners to help with the transition.  Some thought Ataturk’s decision to separate religion and state to be a mistake, but many saw him as a hero.

Nationalism and Reform at work in Persia  Ataturk’s reforms in Turkey inspired Persia to reform.  In 1925 an army officer, Reza Kahn, overthrew the Shah, and proceeded to institute many reforms, including the secularization of Iran, forced people to wear western clothing, built up industry, railroads, and even encouraged women to participate in public life.

Arab Nationalism in the Middle East WWI had shown the power of modern technology on the battlefield, and oil, largely concentrated in the middle east, became important to the world powers. Pan-Arabism Grows  Much like Africa, the Middle East began to experience a cultural resurgence, largely as a response to foreign influence.  This was expressed as a shared heritage and language, a commonality of beliefs. Betrayal at the Peace Conference  Arabs felt betrayed by the Paris peace conference, because they had aided the allies during the war, especially against the Ottoman empire, and they had been led to believe that this help would be rewarded with self determination.  The anger caused by this betrayal, as well as the continued interference by western powers, has expressed itself in the form of revolts and terrorism.

Arab Nationalism in the Middle East Promises in Palestine  (Zionist movement, France, Dreyfus Affair)  Promises to Arabs  Balfour Declaration (1917) A Bitter Struggle Begins  As Jews and Muslims both immigrated to Palestine, conflicts started over land