20th Century Nationalist & Decolonization Movements
Nationalist Movements
Nationalist movements spread throughout colonies, increasing their influence. These included:
- Communist-led groups
- Movements with strictly nationalist ideology
- In Africa, independence movements linked to ethnic groups or tribes
India’s Independence
The Party Congress, led by Pandit Nehru and Matham Gandhi, united various sectors to claim India’s independence. The Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, aimed for a separate Muslim state.
Vietnam and Southeast Asia
The DRV (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) was led by Ho Chi Minh in the North. The South had a pro-Western regime supported by France and the US. General Chiang Kaichek and the Kuomintang party established an authoritarian government in China. Mao Zedong led the Communists. The Long March was a 10,000 km journey by 100,000 people in 1934-1935, ending in Chengsi province. The PRC (People’s Republic of China) was proclaimed on October 1, 1949, after the Communists took Beijing.
China Under Mao
The Great Leap Forward aimed to make the peasantry the revolution’s protagonists through collective organization (communes). The Communist regime under Mao Zedong brought significant transformation, ending large property ownership and reforming customs. After Mao’s death, Deng Xiaoping introduced some capitalist practices and ended the Cultural Revolution policies.
Zionism and Pan-Arabism
Zionism, theorized by Herlz, advocated for a Jewish state in Palestine. Pan-Arabism was a 20th-century Arab nationalist movement for decolonization and unity.
Middle East Conflicts
The Ayatollah Khomeini became president of an Islamic republic in Iran. Golda Meir, Israeli Prime Minister, attempted negotiations with Arab countries, but the Munich massacre of Israeli athletes disrupted the process. Yom Kippur is a Jewish holy feast. The Organization for the Liberation of Palestine (PLO), led by Yasser Arafat, adopted direct action and terrorism against Israel. The Intifada was a civil insurrection by Arabs in Israeli-occupied territories.
African Independence and Challenges
Patrice Lumumba led the National Movement of Congo. Apartheid was racial segregation in South Africa. Namibia was a former German colony under South African control. Nonalignment opposed interference from great powers. The Third World, coined by a French demographer, referred to non-aligned, underdeveloped countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Neocolonialism occurred when rich countries’ investments influenced newly independent governments. Unequal exchange involved underdeveloped countries exporting cheap raw materials and importing expensive manufactured goods. Self-determination is the right of a society to choose its government and pursue its economic, social, and cultural goals.
Post-War Social and Political Changes
Cultural Shifts
The hippie movement advocated nonviolence, sexual freedom, and community life. A witch hunt refers to a period of intense anti-political sentiment. The New Frontier was a US program combating poverty. Kennedy, a US Democrat, initiated the New Frontier. B. Lindon Johnson succeeded Kennedy. The Watergate scandal led to Nixon’s impeachment. Republicans Reagan and Bush followed. Baby boomers were the generation born after WWII.
Economic and Political Developments
Emerging countries underwent rapid industrialization. Heavy industry was prioritized for military power, often at the expense of consumer goods. Developed socialism envisioned a classless, egalitarian society with high living standards. Five-year plans, similar to the Soviet model, involved state-controlled economies. Gorbachev, Soviet leader from 1985, introduced reforms. The Treaty on European Union aimed for a balanced relationship between member states. Lech Walesa led Poland’s Solidarity union. Helmut Kohl advocated for German reunification. Vaclav Havel was Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia. Perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (transparency) were Gorbachev’s policies. Multinational companies expanded globally, adapting to local contexts.