Chapter 18 Colonies Become New Nations Section 1

Chapter 18 – Colonies Become New Nations Section 1 – Indian Subcontinent Achieves Freedom Main Idea: New nations emerged from the British colony of India Why It Matters Now: India today is the largest democracy in the world

Movement Toward Independence • After WWII, increase in independence movement in India • Country split between Hindu majority & Muslim minority (2 groups step forward): Congress Partyleading national political party (mainly Hindu) Muslim League- formed to protect Muslim interests u. Led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Trouble with Freedom • British used PARTITION to end their rule in 1947 – Pakistan (Muslim) – India (Hindu) • Violence started between two groups over new boundaries • Over 1 million die • Mohandas Gandhi assassinated over his support of Muslim rights • Both sides fight for Kashmir

Modern India • Jawaharlal Nehru- 1 st Prime Minister • Pushes for social and economic reforms (changes) – Nehru’s daughter, Indira Gandhi rules from 1966 -84 • Assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards after rising issues with two groups §Indira’s son, Rajiv becomes Prime Minister but is assassinated in 1991 by those opposed to his politics Three generations of Indian Rulers

Pakistan copes with freedom • Pakistan starts as two nations: 1. East Pakistan (more populous) 2. West Pakistan (where government is located) – 1971 - East declares independence and starts civil war • East won and became Bangladesh Many different governments rule Pakastan in 1980’s and 90’s 1) Benazir Bhutto 2) Currently ruled by the military

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Struggle • Bangladesh struggles with political & economic instabilities – Natural disasters have hurt economy & killed millions of people • Sri Lanka (former Ceylon) wins independence in 1948 (Britain) – Population split: Buddhist Sinhalese vs. Hindu Tamils • Tamils fight for their own independent which still continues today state