Fix the mistake: Independence in Asia and Africa and Contemporary Challenges
The Independence of Asia
After the Second World War, countries that had once been under colonial rule achieved independence one after another throughout Asia. At the forefront was Gandhi of India, who fought Britain in the spirit of nonviolence.
Indian Independence and Gandhi's Nonviolent Movement
India gained independence from Britain on August 15, 1947, but this was not achieved overnight. The foundation was laid by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi based his movement on nonviolence and noncooperation (satyagraha) and organized mass movements such as the Salt March of 1930, a 240-km walk protesting the British salt monopoly. Together with Nehru, he led the Indian National Congress and achieved independence against the background of Britain's exhaustion after the Second World War. However, at the same time as independence, the country was divided into India, centered on Hindus, and Pakistan, centered on Muslims, leading to bloody religious conflict, known as the Partition of India and Pakistan. Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu extremist in 1948.
August 17, 1945: Indonesia declared independence (Sukarno) → The Netherlands recognized it in 1949
July 4, 1946: The Philippines became independent from the United States
August 15, 1947: India became independent; Pakistan became independent through partition
August 15, 1948: Republic of Korea established / September 9: Democratic People's Republic of Korea established
October 1, 1949: People's Republic of China established (Mao Zedong)
1954: Vietnam gained independence through the Geneva Accords → Divided into North and South
Independence and New States in Southeast Asia
In Southeast Asia, Japan's occupation (1941-1945) ironically accelerated independence movements. In Indonesia, Sukarno declared independence on August 17, 1945, the day after Japan's defeat. After the Indonesian War of Independence against the Netherlands (1945-49), the Netherlands recognized its independence in 1949. In Vietnam, the Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh, declared independence in 1945. After the First Indochina War with France (1946-54), independence was recognized through the 1954 Geneva Accords, but Vietnam was divided into north and south along the 17th parallel north. This later led to the Vietnam War.
Practice
- Who led the Indian independence movement according to the principles of nonviolence and noncooperation?
- Give the date when India became independent. Which country became independent through partition at the same time?
- Who was the first president of Indonesia, which declared independence on August 17, 1945?