Following World War II many nations were following through with their self-determination and state-building, but some still needed to throw off the yoke of a former colonizer. How these leaders resisted is the essence of this topic. Although each nation used their methods of resistance, they all used nationalism. Some of these nationalist leaders used violence to overthrow established power structure as they were former generals of the military. For example, in Chile, Augusto Pinochet successful coup d'etat of Salvador Allende democratically elected government used state sponsored propaganda to establish his role; however, in Spain, Francisco Franco's will use military force for his successful coup d'etat of the democratically elected leftist government. Idi Amin, in Uganda, will have a coup d'etat of its elected government too. Others used non-violence nationalism to challenge established power structures. In India there was Mohandas Gandhi, in the U.S. there was Martin Luther King, Jr, and in South Africa there was Nelson Mandela. Finally, some independent groups had create resistance, typically through violence such as the Irish Republican Army, the ETA in Spain, Al-Qaeda in East Africa and the Middle East, and Shining Path in Peru.
Objective:
I. Explain various reactions to existing power structures in the period after 1900.
Theme:
I. CDI (Society & Culture)
Skills:
I. CDI
Explain various reactions to existing power structures in the period after 1900.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Although conflict dominated much of the 20th century, many individuals and groups— including states—opposed this trend. Some individuals and groups, however, intensified the conflicts. Groups and individuals challenged the many wars of the century, and some, such as Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela, promoted the practice of nonviolence as a way to bring about political change. Militaries and militarized states, however, often responded to the proliferation of conflicts in ways that further intensified conflict. Some movements even used violence against civilians in an effort to achieve political aims.