Self-Determination Flashcards
Describe Kashmir before the British invasion.
Kashmiri people lived in a defined territory in the NW Himalayan mountains and speak Kashmiri and the people think of them as a distinct cultural group
Kashmir: 1947
British, Indian, and Pakistani leaders agreed that the Kashmiri people should have the right to decide whether to join India or Pakistan.
Kashmir: 1948
The UN Security Council decided that Kashmiris should vote on the issue in a plebiscite (a vote by which the people of an entire country or district express an opinion for or against a proposal especially on a choice of government or ruler.)
Kashmiri people’s wishes were not considered in the decision to hold a plebiscite
In the meantime (1948), India invaded Kashmir and took control of majority of their traditional land and Kashmir’s plebiscite was never held and fighting between India and Pakistan have continued on their land ever since
Part of Kashmir controlled by India includes twice as many Kashmiris as the section controlled by Pakistan and Kashmiris have resisted Indian control and violent conflicts have occurred over the decades
Kashmir: 2007
the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons estimated that 10,000 Kashmiris have “disappeared” (captured by Indian forces and never seen again)
What is self-determination defined by the First Nations?
Right of people to freely:
- Determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development
- Dispose of and benefit from their wealth and natural resources
- “Self-determination includes governance, so Indigenous people are entitled to choose their own forms of government, within existing states.”
- Many First Nations peoples believe that self-determination must include changing the balance of political and economic power between First Nations and the Canadian government and they have proposed new laws and institutions to bring about these changes.
How did Canada support First Nations economy in 2005?
- 2005: Canadian govt passed law to support institutions that help FN economically
- FN created schools that taught youth in native language and taught traditional values and knowledge
Creation of Nunavut
- Creation of Nunavut in 1999 which allowed Inuits to share in decisions about how their land and its resources are managed and used through the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (20% of Canada’s land mass)
- Decisions made by consensus
Metis Self-Determination: 1932
Metis Association was formed
Metis Self-Determination: 1938
Metis Population Betterment Act (fist and only legislated land base for Metis people in Canada)
Metis Self-Determination: 1982
Metis people in Canada pressed harder to win outright ownership of the settlement lands, and pursuit of own economic, social, and cultural policies.
Metis Self-Determination: 1990
Alberta gave 500,000 hectares to Metis settlements
Metis Self-Determination: 2005
Metis National Council appeared before the UN Human Rights Committee and demanded more rights to SD
Metis Self-Determination: 2007
UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Reasons for Quebec Separatism
- French Canada was forcibly subjugated by English Canada
- Quebec already is like a sovereign country: distinct language, culture, legal tradition, history, and has nationalist leaders.
- Anyone who would deny Quebec the right to independence and self-determination must be ignorant of Quebec’s exceptional history.
- Tired of having their concerns belittled by the other provinces.
- Quebec could probably be included in North America Free Trade Agreement.
Against Quebec Separatism
-In support of federalism to keep peace and achieve regional and national interests of different ethnic groups
-Both Quebec and Canada would weaken if Quebec splits (economically and politically)
complex for Washington to have to negotiate with both Canada and Quebec on important issues like security, environmental protection and trade.
-1980s: Separatist movement in Quebec led Anglophones from Montreal to Toronto (what would happen if they actually separated?)
-Quebec is 20% Anglophone
-⅔ of Quebec land is Cree and Inuit who oppose separating
-Canada’s’ population would decrease if Quebec separates.
-If Quebec separates, other provinces may also consider separating from Canada.
-Quebec has received many generous concessions from the rest of Canada in order to preserve their French heritage, and they also are the beneficiaries of many economic benefits as a province of Canada.
Taiwan: 1949
Following the Communist victory on China mainland, two million Chinese nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a govt
Taiwan: 1949-1971
Taiwan was recognized as the legitimate govt of “China” (Taiwan) in the UN
Taiwan: 1971
Seat in UN passed from Taiwan to Communist China and Taiwan was left as an independent island without “official recognition” as a country
Taiwan: Present
Taiwan doesn’t want to be a part of China anymore, and is in pursuit of SD with the US supporting them.
China’s POV on Taiwan
- Taiwan is a part of China
- China also created a law stating that no part of Chinese territory may secede from China
- Many believe that China would use military force to prevent Taiwan from separating
What was Kosovo a part of in the 20th century?
Yugoslav Federation
What happen in the 1990s in regards to Kosovo?
Yugoslav federation broke up and the area became a province of Serbia.
What problems did Kosovo face after becoming part of Serbia?
90% of Kosovars are ethnic Albanians and the rest are ethnic Serbians. Most Albanian Kosovars are Muslims, but most Serbian Kosovars are Christians belonging to the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Kosovo has endured centuries of religious and ethnic conflict.
What happened in the late 1990s in regards to Kosovo’s conflict?
Religious and ethnic conflicts became so violent that the UN sent NATO troops to administer the province.
How long has Serbians been in Kosovo and how long have Albanians been in Kosovo?
Serbians=11th century
Albanian=6th century
When did France colonize Southeast Asia (Vietnam)?
1500s many colonial powers began colonizing southeast Asia and by the 1800s France took control of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia conquered and renamed French Indochina.
The Vietnam War and date
1965: US increased support for South Vietnamese government by sending more than 200,000 troops (over 4 years this expanded to 500,00 troops) and into Cambodia
US supporters of the war claimed they wanted to stop communism spread for American interest and for freedom of the Viet
United States 1960s influence on Vietnam
- Opposition to American involvement in Vietnam war, says that American forces had no right to interfere in a dispute between the peoples of Vietnam
- Damage caused by US sacrificed American lives and physical and economic damage of Vietnam people.
Why do Tibetans think they are a distinct nation?
Tibet was a separate country with prominent Buddhist religion and their own culture, language and traditions ruled by the Dalai Lama spiritually and politically before the invasion of China in 1950
Tibet: 1950s
(many countries emerging from colonial rule) China invaded Tibet and took control of gov’t. Destroyed monasteries, suppressed Buddhist religion. Dalai Lama looked towards the UN for help, but they decided this was a conflict strictly between China and Tibet
Tibet: 21st century
Tibet had become autonomous but still are controlled by China. The opening of the Qinghai Railway in 2006 left Tibetans in fear of assimilation with a flood of Chinese immigration.
UN members have spoken out and tried to pass resolutions upholding Tibetan’s right to self-determination
What is a successor state? Rights of people of successor states?
- A country created from a previous state
- According to UN, charter and international law these people have right to choose nationality
India: 1800s
- East India Company were losing control on India and Britain stepped in and took over called British India through British East India Company
- This time was called Raj “Reign” Indians had no political power, pursuit of national self-determination ignored.
- Indian National Congress was also created for independence. Muslims and Hindus worked together.
India: Early 20th century
Indian nationalist movements grew.
1919: Britain gave a parliament made up of rich Indians but they had no real power
Ghandi’s movement in India
Mohandas Gandhi created a non-violent movement for Indian independence
Fostered Indian nationalism, independence without bloodshed
Growing campaign frightened British India
