Creation of India, Pakistan, & Bangladesh

SSWG5f. Explain the division of the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan and

the eventual creation of Bangladesh.

Colonization of India

• Originally a trade partner, then a colony.• British directly controlled India in 1857• Economic powerhouse• “The sun never sets on the British Empire”• Britain gave them their independence in 1947

Mahatma Gandhi

• Educated man who helped to free India from British control

• Non-violent resistance, marches, economic protest, hunger strikes

• Was able to mobilize a nation • Influenced Nelson Mandela & Martin Luther

King Jr.

Partitioning

• After independence two countries were created:– India—primarily Hindu– East Pakistan—primarily Muslim (becomes

Bangladesh)– West Pakistan—primarily Muslim (becomes

Pakistan)• Violence followed the partitioning with over 1

million people dying

Creation of Bangladesh & Pakistan

• Even though East & West Pakistan share religion, they did not have the same ethnic groups.

• They were also far apart and hard to rule• Both rallied for independence and civil war

broke out in 1971• With the help of India, East Pakistan won their

independence and became Bangladesh

Kashmir

• Area of northern India that is disputed• Both Pakistan & India want to control it• After partitioning, the majority was Muslim

but the president was Hindu creating conflict• Kashmir is a critical water source• Fear that the dispute over this area will result

in nuclear warfare—Pakistan has tested nuclear weapons in the past