Transcript South Asia - Benedictine College Preparatory

South Asia
The most dominant country in South
Asia is India. India has more than 1.2
billion people and some of the highest
population densities in the world. India
begins its journey as a modern country
in 1947.
India’s Independence –
Questions from 29-1
1. When and from whom did India gain
her independence?
1947 – from the British
2. How long had India been controlled by
this country?
Over 200 years – since the mid 1700s
India’s Independence – cont.
3. What were the benefits and disadvantages of
colonization?
Benefits: outlaw slavery, build up the railroads,
increase education
Disadvantages:
a. destroy India’s textile industry by taking the
Indian’s cotton to British textile factories and then
forcing the Indians to but British-made clothing.
b. treat the Indians as inferior with no positions of
power in the military or the government
India’s Independence – cont.
4. Who was the most important figure in Indian
independence?
Gandhi
5. What did he do? Give specific examples of
how he peacefully resisted British rule.
He encouraged the Indians to boycott British
goods and encouraged them to wear
traditional Indian clothing. He also
encouraged Indians to demand
independence.
India’s Independence – cont.
6. Why was India divided after
Independence?
The two big religious groups in India –
the Hindus and Muslims were afraid to
be ruled by each other. Also, when
India became democratic, the Hindus
would have the clear majority and that
made the Muslims nervous.
India’s Independence – cont.
7. Describe the “greatest divorce” in
human history.
12 million people migrated – Hindus
leaving the areas that would become
East and West Pakistan and Muslims
leaving India. It was a tense time and
sometimes riots broke out along the
marching columns of people.
India’s Independence – cont.
8. How did Bangladesh and Pakistan become
countries?
At independence in 1947, East and West
Pakistan became independent countries.
Later, E. and W. Pakistan fought three wars
and India sided with E. Pakistan. Finally, E.
Pakistan broke away from W. Pakistan in
1971 and changed its name to
Bangladesh.
India’s Independence – cont.
9. What factors caused war between Bangladesh and
Pakistan?
One problem was that the two areas were separated
by 1,100 miles. Islam was their only common
factor – they even spoke different languages. W.
Pakistan dominated the E. Pakistan – they made
their language – Urdu-the official language. E.
Pakistan paid more taxes and had few power
positions in the government or the army. E.
Pakistan felt like they were being treated like a
colony. Finally, in 1970, a flood caused 300,000
deaths in E. Pakistan and W. Pakistan was
accused of delaying aid.