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-1800s, 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 1920s, 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 Horrified by the violence, Gandhi, who had withdrawn from active politics, saddened by the internal strife, intervened & was killed by a Hindu extremist in 1948.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=7035944n

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.