Eastern Europe

Unit 4 Decolonization and social trendsDecolonizationEurope is done- cant run empires anymore. Postwar era full of successful nationalist movements.3 waves of democratization (Sam Huntington)1. America and France, and gradual growth of democracy in England. Slow process- only 29 countries when wwi starts2. Allied victory in wwi/wwii creates new countries in Europe, Asia and Africa from 1920-1960s3. 1970s dictatorships in Europe begin to end, breakup of soviet blocWhy?Independence movements actually began before world wars, esp. in areas with strong independent cultures like Egypt and India. Also, wars created colonial industrialization (Europe had avoided that to keep them independent) which made them more ready. After wwii there was also a greater emphasis on human rights, including self determination for all peoples, not just Europeans- actions had shown them to be not quite a superior as they had painted themselves.Between 1947-62 virtually all colonies (who want it) gain independence.

IndiaDuring WWI England promised India if they supported war effort they would get home rule.Govt of India Act 1919 gave power over agriculture, education and local govt to Indians, but did not move far enough forward to satisfy nationalists. England waffled between treating them as a nation and a colonyIndian National Congress had been established in the 1800s- born of western educated liberals who wanted an equal place

Gandhi: Civil DisobedienceOxford educated Lawyer. (Began in S. Africa, returned to India during wwi) Transformed cause of independence from elite movement to mass movement.Sparked patriotic feeling, and a desire for Indian self sufficiency.Civil Disobedience: Refusal to follow unjust law.Non violent non cooperation- truth force Show others that they are wrong, without attack, and they will have no choice but to change

Hindu/Muslim Split1947 British India about 70% Hindu, 30% Muslim. Muhammad ali Jinnah (Muslim league) and Jawaharlal Nehru (Indian National Congress) disagreed about makeup of independent govt (Nehru also disagreed with Gandhi about industrializing India)As they are heading toward independence there is violent rioting over whom will control what area- which even Gandhi could not stop. England wants to focus on what is going on at home- sends Lord Mountbatten to divide India and supervise transition of independence. India, Pakistan, and East Pakistan (Bangladesh) created. More violence- 500,000 killed (Including Gandhi) Still border issues to this day (Kashmir)

Southeast AsiaBurma (Myanmar) becomes independent 1947, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 1948, Malaysia 1963- all British. French were even less capable of holding colonies after the war, pulled out of Indochina (Vietnam) 1954 (Dien bien Phu) Laos and Cambodia, but left them without guidance- fell to strongman dictatorshipsDutch decolonized Indonesia in 1949, US released Philippines in 1946Sub Saharan AfricaLike India, there were generally western educated Africans leading movements for democracy and nationalismDisillusioned by European claims of superiority after wwii, unhappy with the fact that africans worked and Europeans profited As new nations are created many colonial borders are kept, a problem because they dont reflect ethnic makeups of region, will be a consistent source of conflict

New Countries/Old EmpiresBritain and France created plans to provide independence and still maintain goodwill of new nations. Invested in infrastructure (hydroelectric power, agricultural technology) Increased educational facilities. Ghana- 1st to be N. Africa colonies a choice between independence (and being cut off) or Self govt with French protection (all choose this except Guinea and Djibouti)Belgium: Congo had the most violent transition, Belgians simply abandoned in 1959 leading to civil war. In Rwanda, Belgians had allowed the Tutsi minority (15%) to dominate the Hutu population, when they pulled out ethnic fighting began which continues to this day.

South AfricaAfter 1980 S. Africa was the only white ruled country on the continent. 1/5 population European, primarily Boers/Afrikaaners. (who took power in govt 1948 as British pulled back after wwii). Cultural Imperialism continuedColored S. Africans (Black and Indian) had no polticial rights, few educational or economic opportunities. African National Congress (ANC) formed 1913- didnt get far1948 Apartheid instituted: legal segregation of races, became national policy. Blacks forced to live in specific areas, carry passes etc.

Nelson MandelaLeader of ANC, sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for anti-apartheid protestsUN began sanctions against South Africa for human rights violations- but S. Africa has some key resources, esp gold/diamonds, so it was tricky.Still, over time, pressure built. 1990 Mandela released from prison, 1994 became 1st Black president of S. Africa

North Africa/Middle EastDecolonialization didnt happen all at once, many patterns and time frames (some after wwi, some wwii)One of the worlds oldest centers of civilization- so not without experience in ruling themselves, considerably less chaosHowever, ethnic tensions were becoming a factor. Muslims had been united in their dislike of mandate system. Now there are tensions building between Arab/Non Arab, Sunni/Shite etcBalfour declaration1917- British promised Arabs, and Zionists, an independent nation in Palestine in return for support during the wwi. Conflicting interests.PalestineAs Israel was created 1948 UN divided the territory to created both a Palestinian and Jewish State. Palestinains (supported by Arabs) have vowed to fight until Israel destroyed. Virtually permanent conflict to this day

TurkeyMustafa Kemal led Turkey to independence in 1923- set about creating a secular, nationalist state (which was controversial in Muslim world). Abolished Sharia (religious law), polygamy, and office of Caliph. Replaced Arabic with Latin alphabet.Neutral in wwiiCaught between Europe and Middle east Ethnic issue- KurdsNorth Africa/EgyptDuring war Egypt established a league of Arab states- a regional organization to support areas with Arab majoritiesIn French territory Arabs united as National Liberation Front- triggering fall of 4th RepublicIndependent in 1922- but heavy British influence remained because of canal. 1956 Gen. Abdul Nassar nationalized the canal- British and French threatened to fight, but US said back downSocial and Cultural TrendsBy 1960s a new generation of Europeans had grown up in a post-war world (no memory of depression or totalitarianism, hazy memory of war)Spirit of activism, questioned cold war, address issues of equality (mirrors civil rights/anti-war movements in US)Events of May: 1968 student protest at the Sorbonne in Paris- ended up with 8 million people on strike. Represented the large # of people unhappy with conservative government of De Gaulle (called for new elections)Rise of the middle classLargely a result of increased access to higher ed. European society became more mobile and democratic- far less rigid than any period in their history. Needed large #of people with tech and management background. Welfare states created cushion for those in need

Womens Movement Most countries of Europe had given women suffrage after wwi (France and Italy after wwii, Switzerland not until 1980!) but equality didnt quite follow. War saw wide scale womens employment, which ended when the men came home.1960s womens movement- emphasizing cultural, sexual, and economic rights beyond the vote. Repealed laws that prohibited contraception and abortion (even in RC countries)70s saw beginning of rise in women working again- from 32% in 1970 to 44% in 1990 and increased educational opportunities allowed more professional positionsParallels Womens movement in US- many of the same issues (example of how much more linked the cultures are in postwar world50s and 60s typical to marry young and have kids quickly (though # of children per family declined to 2 per family)Opportunity to earn $$ at home (cottage industry) long gone- have to go out to work- so childcare became a part of the welfare state in many countries. Simone de Beauvoir- The Second Sex 1949 said that women were freebut trapped. Only by courageous action could they escape the role of otherConsumerismSparked by rising standard of living after the war and increased size of the middle class. Auto industry expanded dramatically (though not to size of US. Gadget Revolution More disposable income- welfare state meant you needed to save far less for old age. Leisure and recreation became major industries- paid vacations required by law

CountercultureThere was a baby boom in Europe too (though families were not a large) and a distinct international youth culture. Raised in econ prosperity, and secure democracies, had a very different view of the world than their parents. Counterculture was a rebellion against status quo (both parents and authority figures in general) Rock music (Beatles/Stones), age of 1st sexual experience decreased signficantly (the pill intro 1960)

Student RevoltsOpposition to imperialistic conflicts (attempts to hold colonies)New Left Thinking popular @ universities (revival of original marxist theory) Rejection of materialism and belief that postwar society was morally flawed.For older generation- spelled end of an era (make a better world and what do the kids do.)

Religious ReformEurope significantly more secular after wwii, only 15% attend church regularly (varies by country)Second Vatican Council 1962- most important doctrinal reform since Council of Trent in 1542Use of Vernacular in Church servicesRC is still One True Church but other Christian groups were to be respected.Less severe dress for priests and nuns

Trends in Philosophy, Literature, and ArtPhilosophy: Modernism came with I.R. Values include secularism, reasoning, materialism, technology and Freedom (rather than equality)Post Modernism: Postwar/postindustrialism. Emphasized quality of life over material gain. Importance of education (for knowledge not $$) healthcare and environmentalism. Jean Francois Lyotard: Argued that modern philosophy is based on accepted stories or what he called metanarratives. But because the world has changed those assumptions no longer make sense. People are developing not on absolute truths, but through changing relationshipsExistentialismPhilosophy based on sense of anxiety and despair, first appeared after horrors of wwi, and wwii had plenty of horrors of its ownPost war existentialists explore what it means to be human in a world without cultural moorings, clear guideposts, absolute standards. Albert Camus/Jean Paul Sartre: Said God was dead, we are alone in the universe without a pre-ordained destiny- so we have to make our own sense of the world to reshape lifes meaning.

LiteratureAlexander Solzhenitsyn: (the Gulag Archipelago) brought USSR under fire with his descriptions of soviet labor campsJacques Maritain: (Man and the State) advocated a return to faith and religious tradition- said there is comfort in beliefTS Eliot: (The Wasteland, and a poet) advocated a focus on family and return to localism, the whole world is too big to worry about. ArtAs people emphasized post modern quality of life, works that elevated traditional craftsmanship, like weaving and furniture making, were recognized as art forms

Abstract ExpressionismCreation of works that make no attempt to create visual reality. Jackson Pollack- splatter paintingsAlso called action painting or TachismeNew York replaces Paris as the center of the art world.(many artists like Marc Chagall and Marcel du Champ leave Europe right after the war)

Pop ArtMade images of Pop culture into art. Andy Warhol Campbells Soup Can. Roy LichtensteinChallenged traditions for fine art by using everyday objects, mass culture (comic books and advertising) Rejection of abstract expressionism emphasizes the banal, stresses Irony