20th Century Responses to Conflict

May 14, 2024

20th Century Responses to Conflict

Nonviolent Resistance

Mohandas Gandhi

  • Promoted nonviolence and civil disobedience for India's independence.
  • Leader of the Indian National Congress by 1921.
  • Major movements:
    • Homespun Movement: Boycott of British textiles; promoted making own clothes.
    • Salt March: Protest against British salt monopoly; harvested own salt in defiance.
  • Impact: Helped weaken British colonial hold over India leading to independence post-WWII.

Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Black Baptist minister, Civil Rights Movement leader in the US.
  • Inspired by Gandhi; aimed to end racial segregation.
  • Major actions:
    • Montgomery Bus Boycott: Economic protest against racial segregation in public transportation.
  • Impact: Led to important legal changes, including anti-discrimination laws in the 1960s.

Nelson Mandela

  • Initially promoted non-violence against apartheid in South Africa.
  • African National Congress (ANC) leader.
  • Transition from non-violence to advocating armed resistance after Sharpeville Massacre.
  • Impact: Imprisoned for more than two decades; later became President of South Africa, ending apartheid.

Violent Responses to Conflict

Augusto Pinochet (Chile)

  • Led a military coup to overthrow Marxist president Salvador Allende.
  • Supported by the US during the Cold War.
  • Used violent repression including raids, torture, and executions against opposition.

Idi Amin (Uganda)

  • Rose to power via military coup in 1971.
  • Known as "The Butcher of Uganda".
  • Targeted South Asians and various political enemies with campaigns of violence.
  • Estimated deaths: 80,000 - 500,000.

Military-Industrial Complex

  • Driven by fear and economic pressure, primarily in the US and USSR.
  • Increased military spending and weapon stockpiling, especially nuclear arms.
  • Economic reliance on military production perpetuated cycle of violence.

Terrorism

Al-Qaeda

  • Founded by Osama bin Laden.
  • Motivated by grievances against US involvement in the Middle East.
  • Responsible for terrorist acts including the September 11th attacks.
  • Aimed to pressure US policy changes, but led to increased US involvement instead.

For further review, refer to video notes and other study materials.