Changes

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.  Gandhi went to Delhi in January 1948 to urge fair treatment for Muslims, and was then assassinated by a Hindu.

On both sides of India, East and West, 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 de-emphasize 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.

Nehru ruled India for nearly two decades, and his daughter Indira Gandhi became prime minister upon his death.  Her rule saw an increase in agricultural production known as the “green revolution,” but she attempted to limit population growth with strict birth control.  She also suspended parts of the democratic process.  The people responded by defeating her in 1977, and she left office.  In 1980 she regained power, but violence was breaking out with Sikhs who wanted an independent state.  She ordered an attack on a Sikh temple, and two of her bodyguards retaliated by assassinating her in June 1984.  The news reached America in the middle of the night, but President Reagan’s advisors chose not awaken him to tell him.  Critics ridiculed allowing President Reagan to sleep through this news, and one liberal wrote a book about his Administration entitled, “While Reagan Slept.”

Nehru ruled India for nearly two decades, and his daughter Indira Gandhi became prime minister upon his death.  Her rule saw an increase in agricultural production known as the “green revolution,” but she attempted to limit population growth with strict birth control.  She also suspended parts of the democratic process.  The people responded by defeating her in 1977, and she left office.  In 1980 she regained power, but violence was breaking out with Sikhs who wanted an independent state.  She ordered an attack on a Sikh temple, and two of her bodyguards retaliated by assassinating her in June 1984.  The news reached America in the middle of the night, but President Reagan’s advisers chose not to awaken him to tell him.  Critics ridiculed allowing President Reagan to sleep through this news, and one liberal wrote a book about the Reagan Administration entitled, “While Reagan Slept.”

Rajiv Gandhi succeeded his mother.  He lost power in 1989 based on accusations of corruption.  A group of Tamil terrorists from Sri Lanka killed him with a bomb in 1991.  Sri Lanka is the pear-shaped island off of the southern coast of India, which obtained its independence in 1948.  Sri Lanka has a Buddhist majority, and the Tamils are in a Hindu minority and have been fighting for their own independence.  Rajiv Gandhi had sent troops into Sri Lanka under a 1983 agreement to disarm the rebellious Hindus, which was unsuccessful.

Rajiv Gandhi succeeded his mother.  He lost power in 1989 based on accusations of corruption.  A group of Tamil terrorists from Sri Lanka killed him with a bomb in 1991.  Sri Lanka is the pear-shaped island off of the southern coast of India, which obtained its independence in 1948.  Sri Lanka has a Buddhist majority, and the Tamils are in a Hindu minority and have been fighting for their own independence.  Rajiv Gandhi had sent troops into Sri Lanka under a 1983 agreement to disarm the rebellious Hindus, which was unsuccessful.

In the early 1970s, the eastern section of Pakistan ceased to exist.  Though they shared the same religion of Islam, the eastern and western parts of Pakistan had different ethnicities and languages and were separated by over a thousand miles.  In 1971, Indian-backed forces overthrew the government of East Pakistan and established the new country of Bangladesh.   

Skipping back to the early 1970s, the eastern portion of Pakistan ceased to exist.  The eastern and western parts of Pakistan had different ethnicities and languages and were separated by over a thousand miles, and could not remain united despite both parts being Muslim.  In 1971, Indian-backed forces overthrew the government of East Pakistan and established the new country of Bangladesh.   

West Pakistan then became Pakistan.  In 1999, General Pervez Musharraf seized power by overthrowing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.  Before him, Benazir Bhutto was the woman prime minister who ran the country, even though it is Muslim.  Pakistan is one of the few Islamic nation’s possessing the atomic bomb, which it developed in the 21st century, much to the consternation of the rest of the world.

West Pakistan then became Pakistan.  In 1999, General Pervez Musharraf seized power by overthrowing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.  Before him, Benazir Bhutto was the woman prime minister who ran the country, even though it is Muslim.  Pakistan is one of the few Islamic nations possessing the atomic bomb, which it developed in the 21st century, much to the consternation of the rest of the world.

=== B. Southeast Asia ===

=== B. Southeast Asia ===