Changes

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.”

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 as the leader of India.  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.

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.   

Shifting over to the history of the eastern portion of Pakistan, in 1971 Indian-backed forces overthrew the government of East Pakistan and established the new country of Bangladesh.  The eastern and western parts of Pakistan had different ethnicities and languages and were separated by over a thousand miles, and were unable to remain united despite both parts being Muslim.   

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.

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 ===

When India and Pakistan sought and obtained independence from the British, other British and Dutch colonies in Asia expected 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 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 1965 there was a coup (rebellion) attempt in Indonesia, and General Suharto brutally suppressed it, killing perhaps a million people including many communists.  In this striking battle between Islam and communism, Islam won.  In 1967, Suharto appointed himself president and created a police state.  He persecuted the Chinese and Christians, and in 1976 he seized East Timor and annexed it to Indonesia.   

In 1965 there was a coup (rebellion) attempt in Indonesia, and General Suharto brutally suppressed it, killing perhaps a million people including many communists.  In this striking battle between Islam and communism, Islam won.  In 1967, Suharto appointed himself president and created a police state.  He persecuted the Chinese and Christians, and in 1976 he seized East Timor and annexed it to Indonesia.   

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 for imperialism and left its 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 tried 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, 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.

Corazon Aquino was succeeded in the Philippines by Fidel Ramos in 1992, but term limits of one term 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.

=== C. Africa ===

=== C. Africa ===

==== French colony – Algeria ====

==== French colony – Algeria ====

France had many small colonies in Africa, including Morocco and Tunisia, to which France granted independence in 1956.  But France’s primary colony was Algeria, a Muslim country in North Africa.  Instead of granting it independence, France offered citizenship to all the Algerians, which partly explains why the Muslim population in France is so large today.

France had many small colonies in Africa, including Morocco and Tunisia, to which France granted independence in 1956.  But France’s primary colony was Algeria, a Muslim country in North Africa.  Instead of granting it independence, France offered citizenship to all the Algerians, which partly explains why the Muslim population in France is larger than in other European countries today.

The Algerians wanted independence despite the presence of thousands of French citizens in Algeria.  In 1945 there was a bloody demonstration for independence, and in 1954 the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) demanded full independence.  The French responded by sending troops to suppress the FLN.

The Algerians wanted independence despite the presence of thousands of French citizens in Algeria.  In 1945 there was a bloody demonstration for independence, and in 1954 the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) demanded full independence.  The French responded by sending troops to suppress the FLN.

There was increasing pressure worldwide for South Africa to end its racism.  Its athletes were banned from the Olympics since the 1960s, and trade restrictions were imposed by other nations.  A black South African bishop, Desmond Tutu, called for boycotts of his own nation.

There was increasing pressure worldwide for South Africa to end its racism.  Its athletes were banned from the Olympics since the 1960s, and trade restrictions were imposed by other nations.  A black South African bishop, Desmond Tutu, called for boycotts of his own nation.

Finally, in 1989, a new South African president named F.W. de Klerk was elected who would change the country.  With international approval, de Klerk legalized the ANC, released Nelson Mandela from jail, and obtained repeal of apartheid laws, and agreed to fully democratic elections in 1994.  Nelson Mandela then won those elections and the ANC won a majority in the National Assembly, the bigger house in the South African Parliament.  A new constitution containing a bill of rights like that in the United States was adopted in 1996, though it also included entitlement and social rights.  The world fully accepts South Africa now, and it will host the World Cup (soccer) in 2010.

Finally, in 1989, a new South African president named F.W. de Klerk was elected who would change the country.  With international approval, de Klerk legalized the ANC, released Nelson Mandela from jail, and obtained repeal of apartheid laws, and agreed to fully democratic elections in 1994.  Nelson Mandela then won those elections and the ANC won a majority in the National Assembly, the bigger house in the South African Parliament.  A new constitution containing a bill of rights like that in the United States was adopted in 1996, though it also included entitlement and social rights.  The world fully accepts South Africa now, and it will host the World Cup (soccer) in 2010. But while the outside world accepts South Africa, the country has been hurt by a mass exodus based on a fear of crime and opposition to race-based hiring rules.  "We as a nation cannot afford to lose skilled and hard-working citizens of whatever hue," declared one South African candidate for high office in 2006. <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5412892.stm</ref>

==== British, French and Italian colony - Somalia ====

==== British, French and Italian colony - Somalia ====

Somalia is a Muslim country that is a combination of former colonies known as British Somaliland, French Somaliland and Italian Somaliland.  Somalia has been Muslim since A.D. 900 and today is considered one of the bases for the terrorist group al-Qaida.  Roughly the size of New Jersey in area and population, Somalia is located on the coast of East Africa (the Indian Ocean) and borders both Ethiopia and Kenya.  Somalia obtained its independence in 1960.  The violence is such in Somalia today that it has no central government at all.  In 1993, 18 American soldiers were killed in Somalia, and on Jan. 9, 2007 the United States bombed parts of the country where al-Qaida terrorists were believed to be hiding.

Somalia is a Muslim country that is a combination of former colonies known as British Somaliland, French Somaliland and Italian Somaliland.  Somalia has been Muslim since A.D. 900 and today is considered one of the bases for the terrorist group al-Qaida.  Roughly the size of New Jersey in area and population, Somalia is located on the coast of East Africa (the Indian Ocean) and borders both Ethiopia and Kenya.  Somalia obtained its independence in 1960.  The violence is so bad in Somalia today that it has no central government at all.  In 1993, 18 American soldiers were killed in Somalia, and on Jan. 9, 2007 the United States bombed parts of the country where al-Qaida terrorists were believed to be hiding.

=== D. Israel ===

=== D. Israel ===