South Asia India Pakistan Colonialism in Asia Between

South Asia: India & Pakistan

Colonialism in Asia • Between 1870 -1914 Europe embarked on a path of new imperialism, bringing much of the world under their control. • Imperialism is the domination by one country of the political, economic & cultural life of another country or region.

British Colonial Rule in India • By the mid-1800 s, Britain had controlled 3/5 of India. • During WW 1, more than a million Indians had served in the British war effort. Indian nationalists grew increasingly angry they had no freedom at home. • The British, in turn, promised greater self-govt. after the war. But when the fighting ended, Britain proposed only minor changes.

British Colonial Rule in India (cont’d. ) • The 1919 Amritsar massacre of peaceful protestors by British soldiers was a turning point, as it convinced many Indians of the need for complete independence. • In the 1920 s, Mohandas Gandhi emerged as a new leader, uniting all Indians behind the drive for independence.

Mohandas Gandhi (1869 -1948) • Compared to G. Washington for his role in achieving Indian independence, Gandhi inspired people the world over, including MLK Jr. , with his advocacy of non-violent civil disobedience. • Gandhi’s campaign of nonviolence slowly forced Britain to agree to hand over some power to Indians. • Protest - (2: 15)

The End of British Rule in India • Britain outraged Indian leaders by postponing further action on independence & bringing India into WW II without consulting them. • While millions served in the British cause, angry nationalists launched a campaign of noncooperation. • When the war ended, independence could no longer be delayed.

Independence & Partition • As independence neared, tensions between Hindus & Muslims began to simmer. • Many of India’s Muslim minorities wanted a state of their own. • In 1947, Britain partitioned the subcontinent by creating a Hindu India & a Muslim Pakistan.

Tragedy Unfolds • The partition of India uprooted millions of people seeking safety on the other side of the new borders. • It also unleashed violence between Hindus & Muslims, stemming from years of mistrust exploited by the British to keep the population divided. • Horrified by the violence, Gandhi, who had withdrawn from active politics, saddened by the internal strife, intervened & was killed by a Hindu extremist in 1948.

Wars Between India & Pakistan • Fear & mistrust have defined relations between India & Pakistan. • At independence, border conflicts ignited a war over Kashmir, a state in the Himalayas. • Its Hindu prince signed Kashmir over to India, but its majority Muslim population wanted to be a part of Pakistan. • Since then, the 2 nations have fought several wars over Kashmir.

South Asia & the Cold War • During the Cold War, India & Pakistan took different paths. • India welcomed economic aid from both superpowers but otherwise embraced neutrality. • Pakistan, feeling threatened both by India & the USSR to the north, accepted U. S. military aid.

Tensions Fuel a Nuclear Arms Race • Both nations refused to sign the Nuclear Non. Proliferation Treaty (1995). • The stakes for conflict rose after both nations tested nuclear bombs in 1998. • The U. S. imposes sanctions after the tests.

Nuclear Proliferation in the Post Cold War Era • In 1968, a number of nations signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, agreeing to halt the spread of nuclear weapons. • When the treaty expired in 1995, some nations refused to renew it, questioning why some could have them (U. S. , Russia) & others could not (India, Pakistan, Iran & N. Korea).

9/11 Redefines U. S. -Pakistan Relations • • In 1999, the overthrow of the Sharif govt. by Gen. Pervez Musharraf triggers an additional layer of U. S. sanctions. After 9/11, Musharraf offers critical support to the “war against terrorism, ” which in is reciprocated with large amounts of U. S. aid to Pakistan.

U. S. -India Relations, Post Cold War • • • During the Clinton & Bush administrations, relations between India & the U. S. improved over common concerns regarding energy, climate change, terrorism & trade. During a 2010 visit, Obama declared U. S. support for India’s permanent membership in the U. N. Security Council. U. S. /India Economic Relations (CBS News, 11. 8. 10, 5 mins. ) http: //www. cbsnews. com/video/watch/? id=703 5944 n

The World’s Largest Democracy • India built on the legacy of British rule, including its system of law & govt. • Today, with a population of more than 1. 2 billion, it is the world’s largest democracy.