Transcript Chapter 33: Africa, the middle east and asia in the era of

Chapter 33:
Independence in Asia, Africa,
and the Middle East
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.
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)
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
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.
Women’s suffrage, but little else, was often written
into post-colonial constitutions.
Religious revivalism sometimes erodes women’s 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)
Quick Review Question
What is a neocolonial economy?
Why are birth control methods often
resisted in modern Africa and Asia?
The
Emergence
of New
Nations in
Africa
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
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
Africa’s 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.
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.
Quick Review Question
What were homelands?
How did the Apartheid begin to be
dismantled?
New Nations in
South Asia
Pakistan
India
Bangladesh
India’s Development
India has preserved civilian rule since UK
independence (world’s 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
The Middle East in the Cold War Era
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 Egypt’s economic
independence.
Nasser’s reforms failed because of population boom, lack
of proper funding, and heavy costs of military excursions
1967: Six-Day War with Israel; Nasser defeated.
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
Iran’s 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 Pahlavi’s
disinterest in strict Shi’a observance
Middle class: dislike Pahlavi’s 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.
Quick Review Question
What is the Green Revolution?
What is the result of the Suez Canal
Crisis?
Describe Ayatollah Khomeini’s mindset
towards the West.