Changes

=== B. Southeast Asia ===

=== B. Southeast Asia ===

When India and Pakistan sought and obtained independence from the British, other British and Dutch colonies in Asia attained similar independence.  In Southeast Asia, Burma gained independence in 1948 and chose not to be a member of the British Commonwealth.  It then suffered from some internal conflicts between communists and military dictators.  In 1989, Burma renamed itself Myanmar.

When India and Pakistan sought and obtained independence from the British, other British and Dutch colonies in Asia attained similar independence.  In Southeast Asia, Burma gained independence in 1948, and chose not to be a member of the British Commonwealth.  It then suffered from some internal conflicts between communists and military dictators.  In 1989, Burma renamed itself Myanmar.

Ethnic conflict hurt British efforts to create a single nation of Malaysia after World War II.  Large groups of Chinese and Malay peoples fought each other in Southeast Asia.  In 1957, a Federation of Malaya brought together Singapore, Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah.  But in 1965, Singapore slipped from the federation to become a separate nation composed of only one successful city.  Today Singapore is one of the few city-states in the world, and is very prosperous.  After Singapore split off, the other three regions (Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah) formed the Federation of Malaysia.

Ethnic conflict hurt British efforts to create a single nation of Malaysia after World War II.  Large groups of Chinese and Malay peoples fought each other in Southeast Asia.  In 1957, a Federation of Malaya brought together Singapore, Malaya, Sarawak, and Sabah.  But in 1965, Singapore slipped from the federation to become a separate nation composed of only one successful city.  Today Singapore is one of the few city-states in the world, and is very prosperous.  After Singapore split off, the other three regions (Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah) formed the Federation of Malaysia.

Indonesia had been a Dutch colony until the Japanese conquered it early in World War II.  After the war, Sukarno led a successful rebellion against the Dutch and established the independence of Indonesia in 1949.  But Sukarno was unable to establish a democracy, perhaps because Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world.

Indonesia had been a Dutch colony until the Japanese conquered it early in World War II.  After the war, Sukarno led a successful rebellion against the Dutch and established the independence of Indonesia in 1949.  But Sukarno was unable to establish a democracy, perhaps because Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world.

In addition to the British and Dutch, the United States also granted independence to its Asian colony:  the Philippines (on July 4, 1946).  The United States kept military bases on the Philippines under 99-year leases, but later gave up those leases under criticism of being imperialistic.  America left her bases there in 1991.

In addition to the British and Dutch, the United States also granted independence to its Asian colony:  the Philippines (on July 4, 1946).  The United States kept military bases on the Philippines under 99-year leases, but later gave up those leases under criticism of being imperialistic.  America left her bases there in 1991.

The Philippines has a history of communist insurgency, and President Ferdinand Marcos suppressed the communists during his rule from 1966 to 1986.  For ten years during that period he even imposed martial law.  But when Benigno Aquino, a political opponent of Marcos, was immediately assassinated upon his return to the country from the United States, American newspapers blamed Marcos for the killing and demanded his resignation.  He would not resign, but Aquino’s widow Corazon Aquino defeated Marcos in the election of 1986.  Time magazine named her Woman of the Year, and Marcos fled to Hawaii, where he eventually died.  Marcos’ wife, Imelda Marcos, was then put on trial by the United States prosecutor in New York City for allegedly stealing from the Philippines people.  She was acquitted.

The Philippines has a history of communist insurgency, and President Ferdinand Marcos suppressed the communists during his rule from 1966 to 1986.  For ten years during that period he even imposed martial law.  But when Benigno Aquino, a political opponent of Marcos, was immediately assassinated upon his return to the country from the United States, American newspapers blamed Marcos for the killing and demanded his resignation.  He would not resign; however, Aquino’s widow Corazon Aquino defeated Marcos in the election of 1986.  Time magazine named her 'Woman of the Year,' and Marcos fled to Hawaii, where he eventually died.  Marcos’ wife, Imelda Marcos, was then put on trial by the United States prosecutor in New York City for allegedly stealing from the Philippines people.  She was acquitted.

Corazon Aquino was succeeded in office in the Philippines by Fidel Ramos in 1992.  Term limits of one term only prevented him from serving beyond a single six-year term.

Corazon Aquino was succeeded in office in the Philippines by Fidel Ramos in 1992.  Term limits of one term only prevented him from serving beyond a single six-year term.