| Line 95: |
Line 95: |
| | == III. Independence Movements in the 20th Century == | | == III. Independence Movements in the 20th Century == |
| | | | |
| − | For most of the population in the world, the history of the 20th century can be summed up in one word: independence. That is true for India (about 1 billion people), Indonesia (215 million), much of Africa (890 million), Israel, Eastern Europe. China (1 billion) and Latin America (523 million) already had independence before the 20th century, but still had nationalistic movements during the 20th century. | + | For most of the population in the world, the history of the 20th century can be summed up in one word: '''independence'''. That is true for India (about 1 billion people), Indonesia (215 million), much of Africa (890 million), Israel, and Eastern Europe. China (1 billion) and Latin America (523 million) already had independence before the 20th century, but still had nationalistic movements during the 20th century. |
| | | | |
| | === A. South Asia === | | === A. South Asia === |
| Line 103: |
Line 103: |
| | The Hindu group pushing for independence was the Congress Party, while the Muslim League was the pro-independence Islamic group led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In 1946 the [[Great Calcutta Killing]] occurred, which was a riot between Hindus and Muslims resulting in the deaths of 6,000 people. | | The Hindu group pushing for independence was the Congress Party, while the Muslim League was the pro-independence Islamic group led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In 1946 the [[Great Calcutta Killing]] occurred, which was a riot between Hindus and Muslims resulting in the deaths of 6,000 people. |
| | | | |
| − | On both sides of India were regions dominated by Islam. In 1947, they achieved independence as East and West Pakistan based on a partition by the British House of Commons. Religious conflict continued. Ghandi went to Delhi in January 1948 to urge fair treatment for Muslims, and was then assassinated by a Hindu. | + | On both sides of India were regions dominated by Islam. In 1947, they achieved independence as East and West Pakistan based on a partition by the British House of Commons. Religious conflict continued. Gandhi went to Delhi in January 1948 to urge fair treatment for Muslims, and was then assassinated by a Hindu. |
| | | | |
| | India received its independence from Great Britain on August 15, 1947, and instantly became the world’s most populous democracy. Jawaharial Nehru was its first prime minister. He began the long process of modernization and sought to deemphasize the caste system. Two years later, in 1949, a war broke out between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, and this dispute continues today even though China seized part of Kashmir in 1962. Both India and Pakistan joined the British Commonwealth as Dominion members and adopted English as their official languages. India sought assistance from the Soviet Union, while Pakistan became more closely aligned with the United States. | | India received its independence from Great Britain on August 15, 1947, and instantly became the world’s most populous democracy. Jawaharial Nehru was its first prime minister. He began the long process of modernization and sought to deemphasize the caste system. Two years later, in 1949, a war broke out between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, and this dispute continues today even though China seized part of Kashmir in 1962. Both India and Pakistan joined the British Commonwealth as Dominion members and adopted English as their official languages. India sought assistance from the Soviet Union, while Pakistan became more closely aligned with the United States. |