Summary

World History Class 13

THE CLASS STARTED WITH A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS TOPICS (05:05 PM)

DECOLONISATION (05:18 PM)

Decolonization may be defined as the process of change for a colony to get independence.
In other words, it refers to all the efforts made by the colonies to gain back their lost sovereignty, their territorial identity, and cultural integrity.
Though the word decolonization was very often used for understanding the liberation movements that started after World War II, historically it started in the 18th century itself.
In other words, colonization and decolonization took place simultaneously.
In the process of decolonization the first stage was when America got independence.
The second stage started in Latin American countries in the 19th century.
The third phase of decolonization was more the result of World War II, with which colonial empires of England, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Dutch crumbled.

DECOLONISATION IN LATIN AMERICA (05:23 PM)

It refers to the process by which the countries in Latin America gained their lost independence and identity from the European countries.
The term Latin America refers to the countries in the South of the USA.
Brazil, was the only colony speaking the language of Portuguese whereas all other colonies speak Spanish.
It consists of 20 republics, 7 Central American, 3 Caribbean, and 10 proper South America.
Of all the European countries Spain had the largest colonial empire of more than 6,00,000 sq miles of which Mexico was the most important.
The other Spanish colonies include Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.
The Portuguese founded the second most expanded colonial empire of more than 1 Lakh square miles of which Brazil was the most important.
The other Portuguese colonies were Uruguay, Guanare, and Venezuela.
England's colonies were the British West Indies and the Falkland Islands.

REASONS FOR DECOLONIZATION IN LATIN AMERICA (05:30 PM)

(1) Under mercantilism principles, particularly Bullionism, Spain and Portugal looted gold and silver mines of the Latin American colonies.
Like other colonies Spanish colonies provided raw materials and also acted as markets for the finished goods.
Naturally in a given opportunity colonies were for liberation from this exploitation.
(2) The major turning point was England's destruction of the Spanish Armada in 1588.
It was the huge navy with which Spain controlled her colonies.
Destruction of the armada weakened the control of Spain on its colonies.
(3) The other factors were:
American Revolution, French Revolution, and Napoleonic wars.
All affected both Spain and Portugal.
Napolean's continental wars affected particularly Spain.
In 1812, the Spanish Revolution started when Napolean appointed his brother Joseph as the ruler of Spain.
Internal disturbances in Spain weakened Spain and at the same time strengthened the cause of colonies.
In 1810, several local assemblies called Criollos were founded in Latin America demanding self-governance.

PROCESS OF DECOLONIZATION OF LATIN AMERICA (05:39 PM)

(1) Argentina
The local Spanish elite and members of Criollos were the first to organize the revolt against Spain.
It all started with Jose De Sam Martin.
He commanded the People's Army of Argentina.
His fight was not only for Argentina but also for Chile, Peru, and Bolivia.
In 1816, they all declared themselves independent.
In 1853, Brazil became a republic.
(2) Ecuador revolted in 1810.
Became independent in 1822.
(3) Mexico
The liberation movement of Mexico was quite prolonged and protracted.
From 1808 to 1821 Father Hidalgo was called the father of Mexican Nationalism.
For giving a proclamation of independence he was hanged in 1811.
Mexico became independent in 1821 with the Treaty of Cordoba.
The treaty ended Spanish control of Mexico.
With the Cordoba treaty, Central America, in general, became independent including the country Guatemala (1821).
It was due to the combined efforts of Sam Martin and Simon Boliver, that Peru became independent in 1821.
Sam Martin himself declared the independence of Peru in 1821.
The anti-Spanish colonial movement in Venezuela was the most striking.
It started under the inspiring leadership of Francisco de Miranda.
Though he did not succeed much in his revolution he inspired his generation of freedom fighters in Latin America.
Simon Bolivar, waged a heroic fight.
He started his struggle first from Granada.
In 1821, he defeated Spanish forces in the Battle of Carabobo winning independence for
Bolivar continued his fight in the deserts of Ecuador and Peru.
A master in the guerilla war, inflicted crushing defeats upon Spanish forces.
He was regarded as a liberator of Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Panama, Bolivia, and Northern Peru.
He assisted Sam Martin in defeating the lost Spanish troops in Bolivia.
As a matter of fact, the country was named after him.
Martin and Bolivar together liberated 9 colonies from the repression of Spain.
Decolonization of Brazil:
The ruler of Portugal, defeated by Napolean took shelter in Brazil.
He transformed it from a colony to a state.
In 1822, the people of Brazil declared Don Pedro as emperor of Brazil.
During the reign of Pedro II, son of Don Pedro a fight for establishing a republican form of government started.
In 1889, Brazil became a republic.

PROBLEMS FACED BY LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES (5:48 PM)

The three constant problems that they faced were:
(1) Population explosion
(2) Exploitation of economic resources
(3) Lack of a sound political system
The population of Latin America increased at the rate of 27/1000 in Central America and 23 in South America.
But the resources were not developed in the same manner leading to unbalanced development.
For manufactured goods Latin American countries depended on foreign industries, particularly the USA.
The dependence on the USA was for financial support and technical assistance.
This naturally led to a steep hike in the cost of living.
Latin American countries faced labor class unrest with the formation of unions and trade unions.
Brazil very soon emerged as the country with the largest communist party in the American subcontinent.
They also had very frequent border clashes.
However, clashes became a cause of dispute, as and when new resources were found, for instance, rubber was the cause of a major crisis between Bolivia, and Brazil.
Just as the oil processing was the chief cause of dispute between Bolivia and Paraguay.

THE USA AND LATIN AMERICA (6:20 PM)

The USA policy towards Latin American countries was centered around 3 things:
(1) Munroe Doctrine of 1823
(2) Dollar diplomacy
(3) Pan Americanism
The USA extended its indirect control on Latin American countries under the Munroe doctrine and declared America for Americans, ending European supremacy.
Under dollar diplomacy it gave financial support and made the countries virtually dependent and subservient to its colonial interests.
Under Pan-Americanism, the USA imposed its language and culture.
The USA tried to topple the communist government of Fidel Castro in Cuba and also the Nicaraguan government by helping the anti-communist forces.
The USA attacked Haiti in the name of establishing democracy.
In Mexico, and Guatemala also the USA tried to create political instability.

FACTORS FOR DECOLONIZATION (07:20 PM)

(1) Colonialism itself created certain conditions favorable for decolonization.
Forces of modernization, westernization, and the formation of the educated middle class all helped the colonies in the process of their unification and their nationalist movements.
(2) In India formation of INC, in Indonesia, the Surekat Islamic movement started in 1911, and the Vietnamese Nationalist movement was finally the result of these factors.
(3) The Right of Self Determination, one of the provisions of Woodrow Wilson's 14 Point Formula in the Paris Peace Conference after World War I.
It declared that every nation has the right to choose its course of action for its liberation and development.
It gave a justification for anti-colonial movements.
(4) The post-World War II effects were equally responsible for the process of decolonization:
(a) World War II exploded the myth that European powers were invincible when Japan defeated England and occupied the entire South East Asia.
(b) War weakened European powers so much so that they were not in a position to rule the colonies anymore.
(c) Atlantic Charter 1941 drafted by PM Churchill and President Roosevelt of the USA gave an open call for liberating the countries threatened by Germany, Italy, and Japan.
However, the scope of the charter was further expanded and applied to all the nationalist movements against the colonial movements.
(d) The Cold War did play a positive role in the process of decolonization.
Both the USA and USSR tried to extend their influence.
The USA exerted pressure upon England to decolonize as it sensed a threat from Russia spreading communism in the colonial countries.
Similarly USSR to strengthen its position interfered in the Chinese Civil War and the Vietnamese Nationalist movement against France and the USA.
(e)The UNO Resolution 1960 openly extended all support for the colonies in their liberation movements against colonial powers.
At the end of World War II England continued to remain the world's most expanded colonial empire with colonies in Africa and Asia.
France had the second-largest colonial empire with African colonies Tunisia, Algeria, French Congo, and Gold Coast.
In South-East Asia Vietnam (Indo-China) and proper Asia, Syria remained as a mandated state of France.
The Dutch colonial empire consisted of Indonesia.
Belgium had colonies in Congo and Rwanda in Africa.
Portugal continued to have Goa, Diu & Daman in India and Angola, and Mozambique in Africa.
Spain was left with the Spanish Sahara and Morocco in Africa.

DECOLONIZATION OF INDONESIA OR INDONESIAN LIBERATION MOVEMENT (7:25 PM)

Indonesia was called the Netherlands' Indies.
It mainly consisted of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Madura, and Celebes.
Its population comprised Indians, Chinese, and natives.
Its main religion was Islam with other religions Christianity and Hinduism.
It is one of the world's richest geographical zones known for its commercial crops sugar, tea, coffee, rubber, and above all spices.
Dutch colonialism in Indonesia started in the 17th century with the Dutch establishing themselves in Batavia.
Under colonialism the Dutch introduced the Cultural System, a system of encouraging extensive cultivation of commercial crops.
Commercialization of agriculture had its long-run devastating effects on the Dutch economy.
In the second stage, the Dutch followed the Ethical Policy, a policy of promoting locals in the decision-making process.
However, only local administration was left in the hands of the native Indonesians.
This system failed to satisfy the expectations of the people.
Western education also entered Indonesia with Kartini schools named after Raden Ajeng Kartini who promoted women's education and primary education in Indonesia on the Western lines.
The consequent effect was educated middle class was formed in Indonesia.
The formation of an organization called Budi Utomo in 1908 was essentially for a cultural movement in Indonesia.
Its main motives were the spiritual and materialistic development of Indonesia.
A blend of modernization and native tradition.
In other words, the development of Indonesia with strong traditional and cultural roots.
It was very much influenced by Rabindra Nath Tagore.
The formation of the Sarekat Islamic Movement was a major turning point in the nationalist movement of Indonesia.
It was the first organization with mass appeal and to focus light on political and economic issues.
It gave a call for the overall development of Indonesia.
At the same time protecting Islam against Christian missionary activities.
It made great progress under the leadership of Dr. Sukarno.
In 1926, the Sarekat movement was divided due to the influence of the communist party.
Sukerno also founded the Indonesian Nationalist Party which soon became the most powerful political party in Indonesia.
During World War II in 1941, Dr. Sukerno founded a collaborative government with the support of Japan.
After the war when Japan surrendered, the Dutch attempted again to restore their control over Indonesia.
In 1947, the Linggadjati Agreement was reached.
According to this agreement the Indonesian Republic was formed with Sumatra, Java, and Madura whereas the Dutch continued to control the United States of Indonesia with Borneo and the Great East.
Very soon Dutch started offense against the people's government of Indonesia.
Clashes started between the parties.
The UNO interfered and the USA also brought pressure on Dutch.
As a result the Dutch parliament transferred power to Indonesia.

INDO-CHINA LIBERATION MOVEMENT (07:36 PM)

The Vietnamese liberation movement is also called as Indo-China liberation movement.
Indo-China comprises of modern countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
Vietnam gained independence in 1945 before India but it took another 3 decades for it to form a republic.
French colonialism in Vietnam started in 1858.
By 1887, the French brought other areas like Tonkin and Annam.
Thus French, Indo-China was formed with Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Tonkin, Annam, and Cochinchina.
The colonization of Vietnam brought the people of Vietnam into conflict with the French not only in military and economic spheres but also in a system that tried to reshape the culture of Vietnam.
Under French colonialism for the exploitation of resources first French developed irrigation systems and agriculture.
Vietnam became the third-largest exporter of rice in the world.
But 2/3rd of her rice was meant for export trade.
Communication systems were developed.
Trans-Indo China rail network started connecting North and South Vietnam.
Another railway line linked Vietnam with Siam (Thailand).
This process of modernization added to the exploitation of resources.
The French were also driven by the idea of the ''Civilizing Mission''like the British in India French claim that they civilized Vietnam.
However, the main purpose was cultural imperialism.
In 1907, Tonkin Free School was founded to promote French education.
However, fearing competition from the locals French administration never allowed them to go for higher studies.
In 1925, in a population of 17 million there were only 400 Vietnamese graduates.
Intellectuals feared that Vietnam was not just being under territorial control but also losing its own identity.
Battle against the French education became part of the Battle against colonialism.
Vietnamese nationalism took a concrete shape with the formation of political parties.
By 1920, students of Vietnam founded the Young Annam Party.
In the realm of religion French promoting Christianity was questioned.
In 1868, Scholars Revolt, a revolt started by the elite of Vietnam against Christianity.
A similar movement called the Hoa-Hao movement began in 1939.
In the history of early nationalism of Vietnam, the great scholar, and activist Phan Boi Chau.
His intellectual work 'The Loss of Vietnam' continues to inspire Vietnamese.
The 'Go East' movement was the other attempt the Vietnamese made.
Under the movement intellectuals including Phan Boi Chau looked upon Japan as a source of inspiration.
However, Japan refused to support the Vietnamese movement.
Developments in China were also inspired.
In 1911, China became a republic under Sun Yat-sen.
Democratic republic became the ultimate goal of Vietnam's national movement.
The Great Economic Depression had its worst effect on the Vietnamese economy.
It generated tremendous unrest.

HO-CHI-MINN AND HIS COMMUNIST MOVEMENT (7:48 PM)

In 1930, Ho united all the Nationalist groups and formed the Vietnamese Communist Party which later became Indo-Chinese Communist Party.
Its movement was for liberating Vietnam from the control of France.
During World War II he organized a united front against Japan and liberated Vietnam in 1945.
The democratic republic of Vietnam was formed under Ho Chi Minn as chairman with Hanoi as its capital city.
However, the new republic faced a number of challenges.
France tried to regain control and Vietnam by declaring Bao Dai as the emperor.
Civil war started in Vietnam between the French and communist forces of Ho Chi Minn.
By 1954, France was defeated.
As per the Geneva Conference Peace Negotiations, which started after the defeat of France Vietnam was divided into North and South.
North came under the communist influence of Ho whereas the South remained under BoDai.
The Bo Dai administration was overthrown by the Diem administration.
Against the dictatorship of Diem, the National Liberal Front was formed.
It was for the unification of Vietnam with the support of the Communist government of the North.

THE USA INTERFERENCE (7:55 PM)

The USA entered Vietnam for the reasons:
(1) North Vietnam under the influence of communist China and Russia.
The USA feared the expansion of communism.
(2) If communists take over the administration then many more countries in South East Asia may also follow communism.
(3) To counter communist Russia and China the USA requires its own influential zone in South East Asia.
President Kennedy's administration of the USA increased its military support to South Vietnam.
The USA deployed nearly 3 lakh forces.
War proved quite costly for both sides in terms of loss of men and materials.
The USA even used chemical weapons against international opinion.
The spirited fight of the Vietnamese, heavy losses on the side of the USA, and severe criticism within the USA against the war made the USA to agree on negotiations.
In 1974, the Paris Peace Treaty was signed.
On April 30, 1975, the National Liberation Front Army entered the capital city of
Vietnam was united.
In 1976, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was proclaimed.
Implications of the movement were:
(1) It exhibited the remarkable power of nationalism to move the people to action.
(2) The fight of even a small country against the most advanced and powerful country shall not be underestimated.
(3) Women played an exemplary role, no less than men in the socio-economic reconstruction of Vietnam during and after the war.

THE TOPIC FOR THE NEXT CLASS : SOCIALISM