State Building AFTER Decolonization [AP World History Review—Unit 8 Topic 6]

Decolonization and Its Aftermath: The Creation of New States

Overview of Decolonization

• The second half of the 20th century saw the creation of approximately 80 new states due to decolonization.

• Colonial powers often drew boundaries that favored their interests, leading newly independent states to inherit problematic colonial borders.

Case Study: Partition of India (1947)

• India's independence was achieved through negotiation rather than armed conflict, but post-independence violence ensued due to colonial boundary legacies.

• The Muslim League's skepticism about fair treatment in a Hindu-majority India led to demands for a separate Muslim state, resulting in the partition into India and Pakistan.

• Despite appearing orderly on paper, the partition caused significant violence as millions migrated across new borders, with over half a million deaths reported.

Kashmir Conflict

• Following partition, conflict arose over Kashmir, where Muslims were a majority but ruled by a Hindu leader; its strategic location heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.

• Both nations claimed Kashmir; UN intervention called for a vote among Kashmiris which never occurred, perpetuating ongoing conflict.

Case Study: Creation of Israel (1948)

• Before WWI, Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire with a Muslim majority. Post-war mandates transferred control to Britain amid rising Zionist sentiments among Jews seeking an ancestral homeland.

• Jewish migration increased significantly during and after WWII due to Holocaust persecution, intensifying local Arab resistance against this demographic shift.

UN Partition Plan

• Unable to resolve tensions themselves, Britain handed the Palestine issue to the UN which proposed partitioning into Jewish and Arab states.

• While Jews accepted this plan and declared independence in 1948, Palestinians resisted fiercely leading to immediate armed conflict supported by neighboring Arab nations.

Conclusion

Economic Direction After Independence: Case Studies of Egypt and India

The Role of Governments in Economic Development

• The legacy of partition continues to influence regional conflicts, prompting a shift to examine the economic outcomes for newly independent states.

• Gamal Abdul Nasser, a key figure in the non-aligned movement, leveraged Cold War dynamics to enhance Egypt's economic development, notably through nationalization efforts.

• Nasser's significant actions included the nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956 and overseeing the construction of the Aswan High Dam, which provided essential electricity and irrigation.

• Indira Gandhi became India's first female prime minister in 1966 during an economic crisis exacerbated by conflict with Pakistan and drought-induced famine.

• Gandhi implemented socialist five-year plans aimed at reducing reliance on foreign aid, promoting agricultural self-sufficiency through initiatives like the Green Revolution.

Migration Patterns Post-Independence

• Colonial independence often triggered significant migration waves as people sought opportunities in metropoles—cities that were once imperial centers.

• Many Indians migrated to Great Britain despite historical colonial ties; this reflects deep-rooted cultural and economic connections established during colonial rule.