Changes

===India===

===India===

The British did not grant independence to its colony of India immediately after World War I, as many Indians hoped.  Great Britain had no intention of relinquishing this vast subcontinent in Asia, which was valuable strategically.  To control rebellions in India, Britain passed a law in 1919 allowing imprisonment for two years without a jury trial.  Hindus and Muslims alike sought independence instead, and formed a peaceful demonstration at Amritsar, which was the capital of the Punjab area.  But a panicked British commander instructed his troops to fire on the Hindu and Muslim protesters, killing 400 in what is known as the Amritsar Massacre.  Indians nationwide were outraged and demanded independence.

The British did not grant independence to its colony of India immediately after World War I, as many Indians hoped.  Great Britain had no intention of relinquishing its control over this vast subcontinent in Asia, which was valuable strategically.  To control rebellions in India, Britain passed a law in 1919 allowing imprisonment for two years without a jury trial.  Hindus and Muslims alike sought independence, and formed a peaceful demonstration at Amritsar, which was the capital of the Punjab area.  But a panicked British commander instructed his troops to fire on the Hindu and Muslim protesters, killing 400 in what is known as the Amritsar Massacre.  Indians nationwide were outraged and demanded independence.

A spiritual Indian leader emerged who was ultimately able to win Indian independence:  Mohandas K. Gandhi, known as the Mahatma (“Great Soul”).  He urged peaceful civil disobedience against the British, calling on Indians to refuse to pay taxes to Britain and to refuse to attend British schools.  He also called on Indians to stop trading with Britain, particularly with respect to clothing.  Britain, which was itself being weakened by socialism, was not as strong economically as it used to be.  Gandhi also campaigned for the Indian National Congress to change from an elite or wealthy group into more of a people’s voice that could advocate independence.  Gandhi’s approach drew upon Christian concepts as well as his native Hinduism.

'''''A Hindu spiritual Indian leader emerged who was ultimately able to win Indian independence:  Mohandas K. Gandhi''''', known as the Mahatma (“Great Soul”).  He urged peaceful civil disobedience against the British, calling on Indians to refuse to pay taxes to Britain and to refuse to attend British schools.  He also called on Indians to stop trading with Britain, particularly with respect to clothing.  Britain, which was itself being weakened by socialism and evolutionism, was not as strong economically as it used to be.  Gandhi also campaigned for the Indian National Congress to change from an elite or wealthy group into more of a people’s voice that could advocate independence.  Gandhi’s approach drew upon Christian concepts as well as his native Hinduism.

Gandhi supported peaceful protests.  He led the Salt March in 1930 for 240 miles to the sea, to symbolize how Indians could obtain salt from evaporated salt water rather than buy it from (and pay taxes to) Britain.  A law required Indians to buy salt from the British government, but Gandhi’s march peacefully disobeyed that law and created much publicity.  Gandhi and many of his supporters were eventually arrested for some of their protests.

Gandhi supported peaceful protests.  He led the Salt March in 1930 for 240 miles to the sea, to symbolize how Indians could obtain salt from evaporated salt water rather than buy it from (and pay taxes to) Britain.  A law required Indians to buy salt from the British government, but Gandhi’s march peacefully disobeyed that law and created much publicity.  Gandhi and many of his supporters were eventually arrested for some of their protests.

Turkey was formed in 1923, soon after the break-up of the Ottoman empire at the end of World War I and an invasion of Turkey by the Greeks in 1919.  Mustafa Kemal was the leader who deposed the final Ottoman sultan in 1922, and then became the president of Turkey in 1923.

Turkey was formed in 1923, soon after the break-up of the Ottoman empire at the end of World War I and an invasion of Turkey by the Greeks in 1919.  Mustafa Kemal was the leader who deposed the final Ottoman sultan in 1922, and then became the president of Turkey in 1923.

Although Turkey is nearly 100% Muslim, Kemal established secular rule through reliance on a strong military.  He abolished Islamic courts and gave women the right to vote and the right to hold government positions.  Kemal established a legal system based on that in the West.  Today Turkey is the only Muslim country that uses democratic elections, not including the elections in Iraq protected by the United States military.  But Turkey is run today more by military control than by democratic self-government; for example, the military bans the wearing of the popular head coverings for Muslim women in government buildings.

Although Turkey is nearly 100% Muslim, Kemal established secular rule through reliance on a strong military.  He abolished Islamic courts and gave women the right to vote and the right to hold government positions.  Kemal established a legal system based on that in the West.  Today Turkey is one of the few Muslim countries which use democratic elections.  But Turkey is run today more by military control than by democratic self-government; for example, the military bans the wearing of the popular head coverings for Muslim women in government buildings.

The British attempted to rule Persia (now Iran) after World War I, but the Muslims revolted and Reza Shah Pahlavi rose to power in 1925.  In 1935 the name of the country changed from Persia to Iran.  The shah enjoyed full power, like a king.  He built the infrastructure and allowed greater rights for women than under Islam.

The British attempted to rule Persia (now Iran) after World War I, but the Muslims revolted and Reza Shah Pahlavi rose to power in 1925.  In 1935 the name of the country changed from Persia to Iran.  The shah enjoyed full power, like a king.  He built the infrastructure and allowed greater rights for women than under Islam.