Week 5: Western Europe in the 1960s Flashcards
1960s was marked by stark decolonization from Britain and France because:
the European empires had presence in multiple continents and were very expensive to maintain
the ___ declaration favored Palestine as the place for Jewish homeland, which caused friction between Arabs and Jews
the Balfour declaration.
Why did Britain leave Palestine?
Violence erupted after the UN proposed that Palestinians and Jews split Palestine 50-50 in 1947- Jews had a minority of 6%, why do they get 50% of the land? The violence was too expensive for Britain to fund, so they left
On what grounds did the Israel war of independence end?
called for a settlement agreements that gave Isaelis/Jews 70% of the land, which created a lot more friction between Arabs and Jews, and was an even worse proposal than the UN 50-50 proposal
in 1946, the term “British” was dropped, and the UK-ruled nations including Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa etc. was formed, a grouping called the ____
commonwealth.
Why did South Africa leave the commonwealth in 1961?
because of the Apartheid- it joined back to the commonwealth in 1994 when the apartheid ended.
Outline the events and reason behind the Suez Canal Crises
Egyptian leader wanted to nationalize the Canal because he did not want British colonialism in Egypt.
- Britain and France saw this as problematic because the canal was strategic to occupy and allowed for trade and access to India
- Britain and france planned on a secret invasion of Egypt to take over the Canal, and did not notify the states. Israel was planning on invading at the same time– provided Britain and France with a distraction
- the US got involved and was angry, the UN got involved and Britain and France pulled out.
- Britain and France then lost a lot of face, pride and credibility with the states, because the US lost trust..
- USA helped the Egyptians to rebuilt their infrastructure
Why did the British not tell the US about their plans to take over the Suez Canal?
- US is involved with NATIONALISM, not IMPERIALISM, which was what was driving the British Suez invasion, therefore, they would be against it.
What was the Muslim league?
a group in India that advocated for the idea of Indian Hindu-Muslim separatism
Why did some members of the Muslim league want the creation of Pakistan?
to form a Muslim homeland, independent from Hindus.
What was the INC?
The Indian National Congress that was in charge of India, that wanted to gain independence from Britain. Advocated for Britain to “Quit India”
How did the Muslim league pressure Britain to leave India?
the group sparked violence by declaring Direct Action Day (we shall have india divided (into Hindu and Muslim states), or India destroyed). Britain didn’t want to deal with that, and left.
Which areas was French decolonization prominent?
Indochina (Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia) as well as Algeria
Who was fighting for Indochina independence from France?
Communist resistance leader Ho Chi Minh. Involved Guerilla war
What happened at the Geneva accords in 1951 between France and Indochina?
1) Indochina became Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam
2) vietnam became split into North (communist) and south (France)
- this set stage for US involvement in Vietnam
What was the demographic hierarchy in Algeria?
1) French soldiers/ European settlers
2) Muslim Berbers (indigenous)
3) Muslim Arabs
What societal problems in Algeria made nationalists seek independence?
1) African soldiers question their place in French Empire
2) appropriation of crops, forced labour.
3) Public demonstrations, attacks on landowners.
4) Limited franchise for Arab Algerians
What party stemmed from the nationalist ideologies of Algeria?
the National Liberation Front (FLN): made up of Algerians who were discriminated against by the French, and advocates for socialism and equal citizenship rights.
What were the civil war on 3 fronts happening in Algeria for independence?
1) Guerilla War between French army and FLN
2) war in the cities: FLN terror campaigns. French used torture.
3) Oganization de l’Armee Secrete (OAS) targeted supporters of independence in France and Algeria.
-France society divided.
What happened to the French economy when Algeria gained independence in 1963?
Stressed the French economy because over 900,000 colonizers returned to France. France begins to focus on the European Economic Community now that they are no longer in Algeria.
Who was the president of France during the time of Algerian independence and how did he contribute to the war for independence?
Charles de Gaulle of France was president at the time. He stirred the pot because he gave a speech saying “Algeria will always be apart of France”
Why was the Berlin Wall Put up?
Because East Germany was dealing with a mass exodus of younger people. Young people who were supposed to be the next generation of individuals who contribute to the community began to flee from East germany to the Western side.
- left east germany with struggling economy.
- mass leaving of citizens was an embarrassment to USSR, so to prevent them from leaving, they put up the Berlin wall, where people could be shot if they crossed.
What was checkpoint charlie?
a gap in the Berlin wall that the USA put up for diplomatic purposes only.
Who was West Germany’s president after WWII?
Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.
