Decolonization and the Creation of New States in the 20th Century

Overview

• Decolonization in the 20th century led to the creation of approximately 80 new states.
• Colonial boundaries were often drawn to benefit imperial powers, not the colonial people.
• Post-independence, states either retained colonial boundaries or attempted to draw new ones, often leading to conflict.

The Partition of India (1947)

• Negotiated Independence: Unlike many other colonies, India's independence was negotiated rather than won through armed conflict.
• Partition into India and Pakistan:
  • India was divided into two states: India (Hindu majority) and Pakistan (Muslim majority).
  • Resulted in mass migrations and violence, with 12 million people migrating and over half a million deaths.
• Kashmir Conflict:
  • Kashmir, with a Muslim majority but a Hindu ruler, became a conflict zone between India and Pakistan.
  • The United Nations proposed a vote which never occurred, leading to ongoing conflict involving China.

Creation of Israel (1948)

• Background:
  • Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire, transferred to British control post-WWI.
  • Zionism encouraged Jewish migration to Palestine, supported by the Balfour Declaration.
• Partition Plan:
  • The UN proposed a partition into a Jewish and an Arab state.
  • Jews accepted; Arab Muslims resisted, leading to immediate conflict.
• Outcome:
  • Israel declared independence in 1948, sparking wars with Arab states and ongoing tensions.

Economic Development in Newly Independent States

• Government Intervention:
  • Post-independence states often saw significant government involvement in economic development.

Egypt under Gamal Abdul Nasser

• Nationalization and Development Projects:
  • Nationalized the Suez Canal in 1956.
  • Completed the Aswan High Dam for electricity and irrigation.
  • Initiated social welfare reforms, including free schooling and healthcare.
• Cold War Dynamics:
  • Played the US and Soviet Union against each other to benefit Egypt.

India under Indira Gandhi

• Economic Policies:
  • Faced economic crisis due to conflict and droughts.
  • Implemented five-year socialist economic plans for government control over the economy.
  • Adopted the Green Revolution to increase agricultural yield.
  • Nationalized banks and key industries, imposed regulations, reduced inflation, and increased production.

Migration Post-Colonial Independence

• Migration to Metropoles:
  • Former colonial subjects migrated to former imperial powers (metropoles) for economic opportunities.
  • Examples: South Asians to Great Britain, Algerians to France, Filipinos to the US.
• Cultural and Economic Ties:
  • Maintained connections between former colonies and imperial centers, transforming societies into multi-ethnic communities.