Decolonization and the Post-Cold War World Flashcards
This deck focuses on the sometimes troubled paths through which European colonies were granted their freedom, and examines world history in the wake of the Soviet Union's fall.
What does OPEC stand for?
OPEC stands for the “Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.” OPEC was founded in 1960 and is predominantly made up of the states of the Middle East.
Oil has been a continual source of conflict in the Middle East. Many Middle Eastern states during the Cold War period were dictatorships, funded primarily from oil export revenues.
By 1962, how many Middle Eastern and North African states were controlled by the former colonial powers?
None
Driven by decolonization during the 1950s and 1960s, Egypt and North Africa had become independent. Independence was sometimes achieved peacefully (e.g. Jordan) and sometimes with a great degree of violence. France waged a protracted war in Algeria between 1954 to 1962.
Who was Colonel Gamal Nasser?
Nasser was an Egyptian leader who dominated Egypt upon its independence in the early 1950s. Dedicated to Arab Nationalism, Nasser took control of the Suez Canal and constructed the Aswan High Dam. Nasser also led Egypt in a series of conflicts with Israel.
What organization emerged to contest the establishment of the state of Israel?
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), led by Yasser Arafat, emerged to challenge the establishment of Israel as a Jewish state.
In 1948, the United Nations had established Israel with the goal of a joint Palestinian/Jewish state. The Palestinians rejected the United Nations’ plan and allied with several Arab states that launched attacks against Israel. Israel survived the onslaught, and the Palestinians were displaced.
In 1964, the PLO was established to provide some semblance of leadership to the Palestinians.
_____ was the first Arab state to recognize Israel.
Egypt
In a deal brokered by President Jimmy Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt’s Anwar Sadat in exchange for diplomatic recognition. During the 1980s, several other Arab states followed suit. Nevertheless, low-level conflict has continued to simmer in the region.
What religious figure came to power in Iran in 1979?
In 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini seized power in Iran after Shah Pahlavi was overthrown. Khomeini established a theocracy, strictly governed by the rules of Islam and opposed to the United States, whom Khomeini termed “The Great Satan.”
At the time of Khomeini’s takeover, the United States’ embassy in Tehran was seized, and Americans were held hostage from 1979 until 1981.
In 1990, Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi Army invaded Kuwait. How did the U.S. respond?
The Iraqi Army was the world’s fourth largest army. With the full support of the United Nations, the U.S. assembled 35 allies into a military force based in the Arabian Peninsula. After warning the Iraqis to withdraw, the U.S. led a massive ground war, dubbed Desert Storm, which destroyed the Iraqi military in less than 100 hours.
How did British and French decolonization in Sub-Saharan Africa differ from Belgian and Portuguese decolonization?
Although there were exceptions (e.g. Rhodesia and South Africa), British and French decolonization in Sub-Saharan Africa went relatively smoothly, with a well-planned decolonization movement aimed at minimizing conflict.
The Portuguese fought hard to maintain their colonies and were only removed after vicious, long-running conflicts. Belgian decolonization was poorly executed. After their withdrawal from Rwanda (1962) and the Congo (1960), the region descended into chaos along tribal lines that led to United Nations intervention.
How did Rhodesian and South African decolonization differ from the experience of other Sub-Saharan British colonies?
In both Rhodesia and South Africa, whites seized power and declared independence from Britain. Rhodesia became Zimbabwe once native control was established in 1980. In South Africa, a policy of extreme segregation known as apartheid kept the country separate along racial lines.
Who was the African National Congress’ most famous leader?
The African National Congress, a South African political party, was led by Nelson Mandela. Mandela opposed apartheid and was jailed for his beliefs from 1964 to 1990. Under intense diplomatic pressure, the South African government freed Mandela in 1990, and in 1994 apartheid ended followng Mandela’s election as South Africa’s president.
Which disease emerged in Africa in the 1980s and has continued to decimate the continent?
In the 1980s, HIV/AIDS emerged in Africa and has caused millions of deaths.
The United States granted independence to the _____ in 1946.
Philippines
The United States had seized the Philippines from Spain in 1898 and promised the country independence during the 1930s. The intervention of World War II and the Japanese occupation of the islands delayed the independence plan, but in 1946 the Philippines was granted independence.
Why did India and Pakistan split into two separate countries following Britain’s departure?
When the British left India in 1947, the former colony split along religious lines, with Pakistan being Muslim and India being Hindu.
Gandhi was assassinated in 1947 by a Hindu extremist who opposed his plan for peaceful coexistence between the two states. His successor, Jawaharlal Nehru, sought to emphasize secularism in India’s government.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have remained high since independence.
During the 1960s and 1970s, India was widely recognized as the leader of which group of nations?
India was widely recognized as the leader of the non-aligned nations, which were allied neither to the United States nor the Soviet Union. Non-alignment allowed India and nations such as Indonesia to chart an independent course that preserved good relations with both superpowers.
Which Southeast Asian colony did the French attempt to keep during the 1950s?
In the 1950s, France attempted to retain control of Vietnam, but were defeated by Vietnamese communists under Ho Chi Minh. Following the French defeat, the country was divided and the United States intervened on South Vietnam’s behalf in a long-running conflict that lasted until the 1970s. The country fell to the communists in 1975.
