The Indian Sub-Continent Since 1947

1. The Indian Sub-Continent Since 1947 Pakistan & India

2. Independence • The sub-continent was “partitioned” prior to independence to avoid a civil war between the Hindus & the Muslims • The areas with a Hindu majority became India with Jawaharlal Nehru serving as the first Prime Minister beginning August 15, 1947 • The 2 areas with Muslim majorities became Pakistan with Muhammad Ali Jinnah as Prime Minister August 15, 1947

3. India • India is the world’s largest democracy, 2nd most populous country in the world • After independence the nation had many problems to deal with • Angry Hindus felt that too much had been given up to Pakistan, led to the assassination of the Mahatma • Border disagreements with Pakistan- last to this day in Kashmir & the Siachen Glacier-both nations have nuclear weapons now

4. India Cont’d • Developing a strong economy- The Green Revolution of the 1960s helped India develop stronger crops & feed the population with fewer farmers • Terrorism- Several groups have operated within India, Sikhs (religious minority) & the Tamil Tigers in Southern India fought until recently, Al Qaida & the Taliban have launched attacks in the last 5 years

5. 1st Prime Minister • Jawaharlal Nehru served as Prime Minister from 1948-1964 • His leadership stressed democracy, unity, & economic modernization • The 1950 Constitution outlawed the untouchables within the Caste System

6. Indian Leadership • Indira Gandhi-Nehru’s daughter- served four terms as Prime Minister between 1966-1984 • She was assassinated by her Sikh body guards in retaliation for an attack on the Golden Temple at Amritsar

7. Indian Leadership Cont’d • Rajiv Gandhi took over as Prime Minister after his mother’s assassination in 1984 • Lost power in 1989 after accusations of corruption • Killed by a car bomb while campaigning in 1991

8. Pakistan • Muhammad Ali Jinnah serves as first Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1947-1948

9. Pakistan Cont’d • West Pakistan had the capitol, Islamabad & all government offices • East Pakistan had a majority of the population but was virtually ignored by the central government • The only link between the 2 regions was religion

10. Civil War • 1970 a giant cyclone & tsunami hit East Pakistan killing 266,000 people • Tons of international aid went to West Pakistan but it was not sent to East Pakistan very quickly • March 26, 1971 East Pakistan declares itself the independent nation of Bangladesh • India sided with Bangladesh & within 2 weeks of the arrival of Indian troops Pakistan surrendered • 1,000,000 people died in the civil war

11. Pakistan Leadership • The death of Jinnah within a year of independence left Pakistan without strong leadership • There have been multiple military coups the first in 1958 • Ali Bhutto took power after the civil war • He was deposed & then executed by Gen. Zia in 1977 • Zia dies in a plane crash in 1988

12. Pakistan in Disarray • Benazir Bhutto-Ali Bhutto’s daughter-took power after Gen. Zia’s death • She was removed from office in 1996 after corruption charges • Killed by a car bomb in December 2008 while campaigning after returning to Pakistan • General Parvez Musharraf takes power in a military coup in 1999 • He resigned in August 2008 during impeachment movements by the 2 leading parties

13. Pakistan Today • Benazir Bhutto’s party won the general elections in February 2009 • Her husband Asif Ali Zardari serves as Prime Minister today • Pakistan is a hot bed of terrorist activity, especially Waziristan along the Afghan border

14. Bangladesh • Achieved independence in 1971 • It is one of the most densely populated nations and has suffered from military coups, natural disasters, & a high poverty rate since independence • The first Prime Minister-Sheik Mujibur Rahman was assassinated by military leaders in 1975 • Democracy was restored in 1991 • GDP has doubled since 1975 so life is slowly improving

15. Sri Lanka • Sri Lanka gained independence in February 1948 • 75% of the population are Buddhist Sinhalese • 25% are Hindu Tamils • Tamil Tigers just surrendered in 2009 ending the civil war • The Sri Lankan government is trying to figure out how to reintegrate the rebel fighters into society

16. Nepal • The one of the newest democratic republics in the world • June 1, 2001 Crown Prince Dipendra killed most of the royal family in a drunken rage • The King’s brother Gyanendra became king • He abolished the parliament in 2005 • Parliament was re-established in 2006 • The monarchy was abolished in May 2008

17. Afghanistan • Dominated by Britain & Russia during the 19th century • Became an independent nation with a monarchy in 1919 after the British left • 1964 attempted to develop a democratic government but groups could not agree on reforms

18. Afghanistan cont’d • 1973 Military coup overthrows the king • 1978 Communists overthrow the military • Afghanis felt communism conflicted with Islam • 1979 USSR invades Afghanistan to support communists • U.S. supports the mujahedeen fighting against the USSR & communists • 1989 USSR pulls out of Afghanistan

19. Civil War • 1989-1998 Several groups fight for control of Afghanistan • 1998 Conservative Islamic extremists the Taliban control 90% of the country • Northern Alliance is the only rival left to fight them • Society changed overnight- women no longer allowed to work or go to school, women must wear burkas in public, music, dancing, TV, & movies are outlawed

20. Links to Terrorism • Taliban allowed al-Qaeda to set up training camps • September 9, 2001 leader of the Northern Alliance assassinated • September 11, 2001 al-Qaeda attacks NYC & Washington, D.C. • October 2001 U.S. forces attack & invade Afghanistan • Taliban government falls apart by Dec. 2001 • U.S. forces are in the process of leaving Afghanistan