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India - Mahatma Gandhi returns to India
Causes: Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a leader of the Congress Party, requested Gandhi to return to India, and introduced him to the issues in India.
Results: Gandhi became the leader of the Congress Party and began to work towards Indian independence. -
India - Amritsar Massacre
Causes: Unaware that martial law had been imposed, a group of nonviolent protestors gathered at Amritsar. Colonel Dyer ordered his troops to shoot at the group of protestors.
Results: Several protestors ended up dead or wounded. Winston Churchill condemned the attack and Colonel Dyer was forced to retire. Tensions between Indian nationalists and the British grew. -
India - Gandhi starts the Non-Cooperation Movement
Causes: Gandhi was horrified by the Amritsar Massacre, and refused to cooperate with the British Empire. He lost faith in constitutional methods of protest and turned to non-cooperation.
Results: British manufactured goods and services were boycotted. The Muslim league criticized the movement, but it appealed to young Indian nationalists, and they supported Gandhi. -
Period: to
Indian Independence Movement
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India - Chauri Chaura Incident
Causes: Violence broke out between police and protesters when protesters were killed by the police, and the mob set a police station on fire.
Results: Gandhi was disappointed that the non-violent movement had turned violent, and fasted until the movement had ended. -
India - The Salt March
Causes: The Salt Act had given Britain a monopoly on salt, and forced the Indians to buy salt from the British. Gandhi chose to protest against the tax to use salt as a symbol.
Results: The Salt March was the beginning of the civil disobedience movement. World opinion began to shift in favor of Indian self-rule when the Salt March was broadcasted around the world. The Salt March had also changed the attitudes of the Indians, and gave them some courage. -
India - Gandhi-Irwin Pact
Causes: Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India, wanted Gandhi to discontinue his civil disobedience movement. In exchange, Gandhi wanted all political prisoners set free. Gandhi also agreed to participate in the second Round Table Conference as a representative of the Congress Party.
Results: The conference had failed, and Gandhi continued the civil disobedience movement. -
Philippines - United States promises independence in Tydings-McDuffie Act
Causes: The Great Depression turned people in favor of Philippine independence because cheap sugar and labor from the Philippines could enter American markets, and American companies could not compete.
Results: After a period of ten years, the United States promised that the Philippines would be given independence. -
Period: to
Philippine Independence Movement
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India - Lahore Resolution adopted
Causes: Members of the Muslim League met in a three-day session (March 22-24, 1940). The resolution created at the session called for the creation of an independent Muslim state seperate from its Hindu counterpart, due to internal violence.
Results: After independence, India was partitioned into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan and Bengal. -
Vietnam - Viet Minh forms
Causes: Once the French had reoccupied Indochina, Viet Minh was formed to oppose French rule.
Results: The Viet Minh started a campaign against the French. People from different parts of Indochina began to support the Viet Minh. -
Philippines - Japanese invasion
Causes: The Japanese Empire planned to declare war on the United States, bringing it into World War II.
Results: The Japanese occupied the Philippines until their surrender on September 2, 1945. -
Burma - Burmese Independence Army formed
Causes: Aung San and the Thirty Comrades anticipated a Japanese invasion of Burma after they had occupied Bangkok.
Results: Aung San convinced Colonel Suzuki that he (Suzuki) was a descendent of a Burmese prince in order to gain Japanese support to overthrow British rule. The Burmese Independence Army agreed to support the Japanese. The army gained support from civilians and attacked the British. -
Period: to
Burmese Independence Movement
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Burma - Japanese begin to infiltrate Burma
Causes: Despite the agreement for independence in exchange for support, the Japanese continued to set up Japanese administrations in Burma.
Results: Aung San and the Burmese Independence Army realized that the Japanese could not be trusted, and began to rebel against them. -
India - Gandhi starts the Quit India Movement
Causes: Indian nationalists were angry that Britian had brought India into World War II without their consent. The British government had sent Sir Stafford Cripps to convince Indian political parties to support the war effort, but he had failed.
Results: Gandhi rallied the Indian people to leave their jobs and protest. He urged them to act as citizens of an independent nation and disobey British orders. Leaders of the movement were arrested, and the leaderless movement eventually turned violent. -
Korea - Cairo Declaration
Causes: Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Chruchill, and Chiang Kai-shek met in the Cairo Conference to discuss post-war Asia.
Results: They planned to restore all of the territories Japan invaded and annexed. They agreed that "in due course Korea shall become free and independent". -
Burma - Burmese rebel against the Japanese
Causes: The Burma National Army (formerly Burmese Independent Army) planned to cooperate with the British to resist Japanese occupation of Burma.
Results: Aung San and others officially joined the Allies as the Patriotic Burmese Forces. The Burma National Army no longer fights alongside Japan, and changes its alliance to the British. -
Algeria - Civilians killed in Sétif massacre
Causes: V-E Day celebration turned into a massacre after anti-French protestors and police were shot.
Results: Several Algerians and Europeans are killed, and relations between Algeria and France become tenser. -
Vietnam, Cambodia, & Laos - Japanese surrender
Causes: After the United States drops the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese surrender, ending World War II in the Pacific theater.
Results: The Japanese leave Indochina, resulting in a power vacuum. The Viet Minh took this opportunity to seize land in northern Vietnam. The French re-established colonial administration in Cambodia. On October 12, 1945, the Lao Issara government was established in Laos, but the French regained control of Laos later in April. -
Indonesia - Proclamation of Indonesian Independence
Causes: President Sukarno had been hesitant to declare independence, in fear of retaliation from the Japanese. Some young activists kidnapped him on August 16, 1945, and pressured Sukarno to declare independence the next day.
Results: The Dutch denounce the declaration of independence, and attempt to recolonize Indonesia. This begins the Indonesian National Revolution. -
Period: to
Indonesian National Revolution
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Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh establishes Democratic Republic of Vietnam
Causes: After the Japanese surrender, the Viet Minh use the opportunity to take control of northern Vietnam.
Results: The French disregarded the "independent state" and attempted to recolonize Vietnam. -
Korea - Division of Korea
Causes: The conflicting ideologies of the Soviet Union and United States forced them to split Korea at the 38th parallel. They planned for the division to be temporary, and reunite the two after a single government could be established.
Results: Global tensions during the Cold War made reunion unlikely, and it became even more so after North Korea breached the 38th parallel. -
Malaysia - Malayan Union forms
Causes: The British government wanted to unify the Malay States under one government to simplify administration. The British received the consent of the Sultans (traditional Malay rulers) by threatening them with dethronement.
Results: The Sultans gave up most of their powers to the British government, and their political status was reduced. -
Malaysia - Onn Jaafar founds the United Malays National Organisation
Causes: Onn Jaafar and other Malay nationalists founded the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) at a series of Malay congresses in opposition of the Malayan Union.
Results: The UMNO led the opposition against the Malayan Union until its disestablishment. -
Period: to
Malaysian Independence Movement
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Philippines - Philippines gains independence
Causes: The Tydings-McDuffie Act had promised them independence, and the United States upheld their promise.
Results: The Philippines became an independent nation, with Manuel Roxas as its first president. -
Vietnam, Cambodia, & Laos - First Indochina War begins
Causes: The French Navy bombarded Haiphong, and killed several Vietnamese civilians. A large Vietnamese army attacked in response, but their attack proved to be unsuccessful.
Results: The Viet Minh won the war on August 1, 1954. Several casualites on both sides, including civilians. The Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos gain independence at the Geneva Conference on May 8, 1954. -
Period: to
First Indochina War
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Burma - Aung San-Attlee Agreement
Causes: Aung San joined the Governer's Executive Council, and began negotiations about Burma's independence from Britain.
Results: Burma gains independence on January 4, 1948. -
Burma - Assassination of General Aung San
Causes: Political rivals of Aung San were angry that he had won the 1947 Burmese general election.
Results: Aung San and other cabinet members are assassinated, and rebellions break out across the country. -
Ghana - United Gold Coast Convention forms with Kwame Nkrumah as its party secretary
Causes: Educated Ghanians wanted a nationalist movement for self-government.
Results: The United Gold Coast Convention criticized the government for its incapability to solve societal problems. -
Period: to
Ghana Independence Movement
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India - India gains independence
Causes: The Indian Independence Act passed in British Parliament, and they accepted the partition of India.
Results: India was partitioned into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan and Bengal. Millions of refugees from both sides of the border moved to the other side, and many were killed. India remained part of the British Commonwealth, and maintained good relations with Britian. Many other independence movements in Asia and Africa are inspired by Gandhi's non-violence. -
Burma - Burma gains independence
Causes: The British government agreed to grant Burma independence in the Aung San-Attlee Agreement.
Results: The new country was led by Thakin Nu. Many insurgencies followed Burma's independence, and Ne Win would take control and make Burma a military state in a coup d'état in 1962. -
Malaysia - Malayan Union disestablished
Causes: The Malay people opposed the Malayan Union because they disapproved the methods the British government used to gain consent from the Sultans and the reduction of the Sultans' powers. The United Malays Nation Organisation led the opposition, and used civil disobedience.
Results: The Malayan Union was replaced by the Federation of Malaya. -
Malaysia - Federation of Malaya established
Causes: After the disestablishment of the Malayan Union due to opposition, the Federation of Malaya was formed.
Results: The Federation of Malaya restored the Sultans' positions as political leaders to appease the Malay people. -
Ghana - Riots break out in Accra
Causes: People were dissatisfied with the United Gold Coast Convention and held a demonstration. Police fired at the demonstrators to disperse them.
Results: Violent riots broke out in Accra and other towns. Nkrumah and other United Gold Coast Convention leaders were arrested. -
Malaysia - Malayan Emergency begins
Causes: The Malayan Communist Party protested against the British because of the poor economy. The British harshly dealt with the protesters, but the protesters only became more and more violent.
Results: The British developed counter-insurgency warfare, and won. The Malayan Emergency ended on July 12, 1960. Several losses on both sides, including civilians. -
Korea - Republic of Korea established
Causes: The United States, not knowing what to do with South Korea, submitted the question to the UN General Assembly. The UN held a general election in South Korea. A constitution was adopted with set a presidential government.
Results: Syngman Rhee became the first president of South Korea. The Republic of Korea was the sole legal government of Korea recognized by the UN. South Korea continued to recieve aid from the United States. -
Korea - Democratic People's Republic of Korea established
Causes: The Republic of Korea had been established in South Korea, and in response, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established in North Korea.
Results: Kim Il-Sung became the premier of North Korea. The Soviet Union recognized it as the only legal Korean government. North Korea became a fully communist nation. The government controlled most of its economy under a policy of command economy. -
Ghana - Nkrumah forms the Convention People's Party
Causes: After the shootings and riots, Nkrumah realizes that the "gentlemanly manner" of United Gold Coast Convention has become irrelevent after World War II.
Results: Many uneducated industrial workers began to support the Convention People's Party. -
Indonesia - Indonesia gains independence
Causes: Indonesian resistance had been able to hold back the Dutch during the Indonesian National Revolution, and world opinion of recolonization had changed. In the Dutch-Indonesian Round Table Conference, the Netherlands agreed to grant independence to Indonesia.
Results: Indonesia became an independent nation, which was immediately recognized by the United States. On August 17, 1950, the last of the federal states were dissolved, and Indonesia was unified in one republic. -
Ghana - Positive Action campaign starts strikes
Causes: Nkrumah launched the campaign to fight against imperialism by nonviolence.
Results: Riots broke out in Accra, and Nkrumah was imprisoned for sedition. -
Ghana - Convention People's Party wins 34 out of 38 seats in legislative election
Causes: Nkrumah's arrest established him as a hero, which gained him and the Convention People's Party massive support.
Results: Nkrumah was released from prison, and was granted a position in the government. -
Vietnam - Vietnamese victory at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Causes: The French planned to defeat the Vietnamese army by using their superior firepower. However the Viet Minh opened fire with massive bombardment, and the French were unable to counter.
Results: The French were humiliated at this defeat. The Geneva Conference opened after the end of the battle to negotiate the future of Indochina. -
Vietnam, Cambodia, & Laos - Geneva Conference
Causes: After the French were defeated at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, the Conference opened to negotiate the future of Indochina.
Results: France agreed to withdraw all of its forces from Indochina, and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam would be ruled by Ho Chi Minh. Vietnam would be divided at the 17th parallel. The French abandoned all territoral claims in Indochina, and Cambodia and Laos also gained their independence. -
Algeria - National Liberation Front declares war on France
Causes: The National Liberation Front opposed French rule, and assembled its own army. France was determined not to lose the war, especially after its losses in Indochina.
Results: Heavy losses for both sides of the conflict, including civilians. Both sides used torture, and millions of civilians were forced to relocate or flee. -
Period: to
Algerian War
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Ghana - Convention People's Party wins 71 out of 104 seats in legislative election
Causes: The British agreed to grant independence if requested by a reasonable majority.
Results: The new assembly passed a motion to request independence from the British. -
Ghana - British goverment accepted request for indpendence
Causes: The 1956 legislative election proved that a reasonable majority wanted independence.
Results: The British planned to grant independence on March 6, 1957. -
Ghana - Ghana gains independence from Britain
Causes: The British government accepted the request for independence.
Results: Nkrumah becomes the president of Ghana. Ghana's independence inspires other independence movements in Africa. -
Malaysia - Federation of Malaya gains independence
Causes: Tunku Abdul Rahman, a Malaysian politician, led a delegation of political leaders to negotiate with the British about independence for the Federation of Malaya. Agreement was reached on February 8, 1956, when the British saw that the Malayan Emergency was about to end.
Results: Rahman became the first prime minister, and worked towards forming Malaysia. -
Algeria - Évian Accords signed
Causes: President Charles De Gaulle wanted to continue political relations with Algeria, and maintain French interests in the area.
Results: Cease-fire from both sides; also granted right to citizenship and other rights to pieds-noirs in Algeria. -
Algeria - Algerian independence referendum approved
Causes: Similar to the Évian Accords, De Gaulle wanted to maintain relations with Algeria, and peace would be the only way to do so.
Results: Algeria was declared independent July 3, 1962. -
Algeria - Algeria gains independence
Causes: The independence referendum was approved by the French government.
Results: The Algerian War officially ends. Ahmed Ben Bella becomes the president of Algeria. The war had disrupted Algeria's society and economy, and the fleeing refugees during the war left Algeria deprived of capable workers. -
Malaysia & Singapore - Formation of Malaysia
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Results: Relations between the UMNO and the People's Action Party worsened when the UMNO agreed to not participate in state politics then broke the agreement. Racial tensions between the Chinese and Malays led to riots in Singapore. -
Malaysia & Singapore - Formation of Malaysia
Causes: Members of the People's Action Party felt that historic, cultural, and economic ties between the Federation of Malaysia and Singapore were too strong for them to exist as separated nations, and campaigned for a merger. They reasoned that a merger would benefit the general economy by removing trade tariffs. The UMNO was skeptical at first because of the large Chinese majority in Singapore, but then changed their minds. [Word Limit Reached] -
Singapore - Republic of Singapore Independence Act
Causes: Due to political and racial tensions leading to turmoil and riots, Rahman decided to expel Singapore from Malaysia. A unanimous vote from the Parliament of Malaysia confirmed the separation, and the Parliament of Singapore passed the Republic of Singapore Independence Act hours later.
Results: As a small independent nation, Singapore faced the danger of invasion or forced re-integration into Malaysia. Singapore had also lacked natural resources and land.
