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Asiatic peoples reclaimed their political independence, but had been transformed culturally by European contact. In the Middle East, the Ottoman empire collapsed, and following a period of Western influence, Islamic influence began to prevail again. South Asian peoples gained their independence in mid-century. Central Asian peoples were dominated by Russia and China. Oriental peoples retained their independence throughout, but there was serious conflict among them. Southeast Asian peoples regained independence, but were beset by serious economic difficulties. |
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This is considered in more detail in Middle Eastern peoples, South Asian peoples, Central Asian peoples, Oriental peoples, and Southeast Asian peoples.
Various nationalist movements began to arise, and World War I caused some significant realignments. Thailand maintained its independence. I have no details on Shangai. Among Middle Eastern peoples, In Iran, the ruling Qajar dynasty attempted to establish a constitutional monarchy. Egypt came under British rule. The Ottoman empire of Turkey was defeated in World War I. In South Asia, in India, a nationalist movement was beginning to become important. Bombay was an important city. Pakistan participated in calls for home rule. Bangladesh participated in calls for home rule. The British capital of India moved to New Delhi. Among Oriental peoples, In China, the Qing dynasty collapsed and the country was ruled briefly by a republic, which quickly became dictatorial in nature, while semi-independent warlords flourished. Tokyo was a prominent city. Seoul was becoming an important city. Among South Asian peoples, in the Dutch East Indies, there was also some call for independence. The Philippines were under American rile, but there was a native resistance movement. I have no details on Vietnam except that it was ruled by France. I do not yet have many specific details of the early 1900s, late 1900s, early 1910s, or late 1910s.
Nationalist and independence movements intensified. In Thailand, a coup led to the replacement of an absolute monarchy by a constitutional monarchy I have no details for Shanghai. Among Middle Eastern peoples, Egypt was under British rule. The modern nation of Turkey formed from the remnants of the Ottoman Empire. The Qajar dynasty of Iran was overthrown and the nation began to industrialze under the new Shah. Among South Asian peoples, in India there was serious unrest and resistance to the British government and demand for home rule or independence. I have no details for Bombay. In Pakistan there was unrest and resistance to British rule. In Bangladesh there was some resitance to British rule. I have no details for Delhi. Among oriental peoples, China was becoming divided between Nationalist and Communist groups, and was invaded by Japan. I have no details for Tokyo or Seoul. Among Southeast Asian peoples, In Indonesia there was some resistance to Dutch rule. The Philippines were under American rule. Vietnam remained under French rule.
I do not yet have many specific details for the early 1920s, late 1920s, early 1930s, or late 1930s.
During and after World War II, these independence movements succeeded, and the major nations of Asia regained their political indepencence. In the Middle East, Iran was independent. Egypt was fully independent and Arab nationalist. Turkey participated in WW II. In South Asia, India gained its independence from the British Empire, Bombay was an important city. The new nation of Pakistan, including the two parts of West Pakistan and East Pakistan, was also created from former British territory. Bangladesh was created as East Pakistan. Delhi was an important city. Among Oriental peoples, The Japanese attempted to establish an empire during WW II, but were defeated and occupied, principally by the US. Tokyo and Seoul were important cities. Shanghai was an important city. China remained divided between Nationalist and Communist groups but fought Japan. Following the war, the Communist faction prevailed and unified the country. In Southeast Asia, The Dutch East Indies were conquered by the Japanese in World War II, but following the war, proclaimed and were granted independence as Indonesia. The Philippines were occuped by Japan in WW II and granted indepencence afterwards. Vietnam was occupied during WW II, and divided between North and Southern parts afterwards.
I have not yet identified events of the early 1940s. In the late 1940s, in China the Nationalist and Communist forces were involved in open civil war, which ended with the Nationalist defeat and flight to Taiwan, where they set up a government in exile. The Communists proclaimed the People's Republic of China in 1949. In the early 1950s, India was attempting to consolidate its governments. Among Oriental peoples, in China the Communists consolidated their rule and supported the attempt of Communist North Korea to extend its rule over all Korea. In the late 1950s, in Indonesia, Sukarno was the leader. Among South Asian peoples, in India, Jawaharlal Nehru increasingly attracted attention as a leader of the "non-aligned" nations which were not attracted to either the US or Soviet led camps. Among Oriental peoples, I have few details for China except that Mao was the the leader. I do not yet have details for 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 or 1960.
The independent nations participated to various degrees in the Cold War as they struggled with political and economic problems. In the Middle East, Iran was becoming an important power. Egypt was developing. Turkey was developing. Among South Asian peoples, India was ruled mostly by Indira Gandhi. I am so far lacking details on Pakistan, except that East Pakistan declared independence as Bangladesh. Among Oriental peoples, Mao instituted a cultural revolution, but after his death his successors began to shift away from Marxist economic policy. Japan became an economic power. Korea remained divided between North Korea and South Korea. Among Southeast Asian peoples, Indonesia was first ruled by Sukarno, followed by Suharto. The Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam were important.
In the early 1960s Indonesia took control of Western New Guinea, and aggressively confronted the newly independent nation of Malaysia, but its economy declined. Among South Asian peoples, Nehru died and was succeeded by his daughter Indira Gandhi. Among Oriental peoples, Mao instituted a "Cultural Revolution" in China. In the late 1960s, in Pakistan, the military government led by Ayub Khan continued to rule. He named Yahya Khan as his successor, called a national election, and resigned from office. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto won in the election in West Pakistan, but by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in East Pakistan. Among South Asia peoples, In India Indira Gandhi served as Prime Minister. Among Oriental peoples, in China, Mao's cultural revolution continued. Among Southeast Asian peoples, in Indonesia Sukarno was stripped of power and deposed and succeeded by Suharto.
In the early 1970s, East Pakistan gained full independence from Pakistan as Bangladesh with Mujib as head of government. He was assassinated in 1975. India supported the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan and tested a nuclear weapon. In Pakistan, in 1971 East Pakistan, aided by India, successfully declared independence as Bangladesh. The military government of Pakistan collapsed and Ali Bhutto led a democratic government. Among South Asian peoples. Among Oriental peoples, the Peoples Republic of China was internationally recognized as the legitimate government of China, instead of the former nationalist government based on Taiwan. In Southeast Asia, among the Southeast Asian archipelagoes, Suharto led Indonesia. I do not yet have details of 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, or 1975
In the late 1970s Among Middle Eastern peoples, Egypt reached a peace settlement with Israel. Among South Asian peoples, in India, Indira Gandhi was deposed, but later re-elected Prime Minister. In Pakistan General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq took power in a military coup, and Ali Bhutto was executed. Bangladesh was led by Ziaur Rahman. Among Oriental peoples, Mao died in China and after a power struggle, capitalist-minded reformers came to power. Among Southeast Asian peoples, in the Southeast Asian Archipelgaoes, in Indonesia Suharto contined to lead. I do not yet have details of 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, or 1980.
The Middle East assumed even greater importance in world affairs. I have little information on Turkey. There was continued conflict between Jews of Irael and their Islamic neighbors. Egypt was less noticeable in this period than before. Mesopotamian peoples were a source of unrest. The Islamic revolution in Iran prompted a wave of violent Islamic fundamentalism in various nations. I do not have many details of Arabian or North African peoples. Among South Asian peoples, in India, Indira Gandhi and later her son Rajiv were assassinated, although in spite of political unrest, the country endured. Events in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have not been closely followed. With the breakup of the USSR, Central Asian peoples became more politically independent. Among Oriental peoples, Mao's successors in the Communist party retained political control of the country, but ceased to support revolutionary activities abroad. Events in Japan and Korea have not been closely followed. In Southeast asia, I do not yet have many details of Mainland Southeast Asia. Amont the Southeast Asian Asian Archipelagoes, in Indonesia, Suharto was overthrown, but there was considerable political unrest. Australian aborigines remained submerged.
I have few details of the early 1980s. Tokyo and Seoul were important cities. Among Middle Eastern peoples, Egypt and Turkey can be mentioned. Among South Asian peoples, In India, there was considerable unrest, and Indira Gandhi was assassinated by some of her Sikh body guards following a raid on a major Sikh temple. Pakistan was ruled by the military government of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. In Bangladesh following the assassination of Ziaur Rahman (Zia) a military government was headed by H.M. Ershad, though Khaleda Zia, the widow of Zia, was also politically important. Among Oriental peoples, China was mostly involved with internal developments following the death of Mao. Among Southeast Asian peoples, I do nto yet have details of Malnland Southeast Asia. In the Southeast Asian Archipelagoes, Suharto led Indonesia. I do not yet have details of 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, or 1985.
In the late 1980s, in Japan Prime Minister Yasuhiro was influential, and named a successor Takeshita Noboru. The same day, the Japanese stock market crashed. Emperor Hirohito died and was succeded by his son Akihito. Seoul was an important city. Among South Asian peoples, in India Rajiv Gandhi began to liberalize the economy, estabish friendly relations with the US, and intervened in neighboring Sri Lanka. In Pakistan, the military government of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was replaced by a civilian government led by Benazir Bhutto when Zia died in a plane crash. Bhutto was later removed from office and Nawaz Sharif was elected in her place. In Bangladesh Ershad contined to rule, though there was subtantial and increasing political unrest. Among Oriental peoples, China was mostly involved with internal developments. The suppression of a pro-democracy demonstration was a notable event. Tokyo was an important city. Among Southeast Asian peoples, in Indonesia Suharto ruled. I do not yet have details of 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, or 1990.
Middle Eastern peoples can be considered. Seoul is an important city. Among South Asian peoples, In India Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. in Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was succeeded by former Prime Minister Benzir Bhutto. In Bangladesh Khaleda Zia served as prime Minister. Among Oriental peoples, China was mostly involved with internal developments. In Japan, the economy suffered a serious decline, and the Liberal Democratic Party lost power following a series of financial scandals. In Southeast Asia, in Indonesia, Suharto had political control.
I do not yet have details of 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, or 1995.
Middle Eastern peoples can be connected. Among South Asian peoples India was in political turmoil, with three prime Ministers serving, one of them twice. In Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto was succeded by Nawaz Sharif, who was overthrown in a coup led by Pervez Musharaff. in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina was elected Prime Minister. Among Oriental peoples, China was mostly involved with internal developments. In Japan political opponents of the LDP were unable to unite and the LDP returned to power. In Southeast Asia, Suharto was deposed.In the Philippines Joseph Estrada was elected as president, but in part due to the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the economy suffered. Estrada was impeached on charges of corruption.
Details of events to 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 are not yet available. In 2000, in China there ws notable repression of the Falun Gong religious sect.
Events in the Middle East were dominated by a war on terror. South Asian peoples developed economically, as did Oriental peoples. Many Central Asian peoples were freed from Soviet rule, but suffered political conflict and instability. Changes in Oriental peoples were gradual. Events of Southeast Asia remained turbulent. Events of the early 2000s and the late 2000s are being examined.