Decolonization, Conflicts, and Dictatorships: 1970-2001
Factors Influencing Decolonization
- Weakening of metropolitan areas.
- Right to self-determination.
- Criticism of colonialism by the Socialist International.
- Independence promised in exchange for help during wars.
- Support for independence from the U.S. and USSR.
- UN position on colonies.
- Desire to avoid another war.
Asia: Conflicts and Political Changes
India and Pakistan
Confrontation between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.
Korea
Attempts to unify the two Koreas; armistice and economic cooperation.
Indonesia
Emergence of a dictator, Suharto. Government corruption and violence led to civil unrest. Intellectuals were sent to concentration camps.
East Timor
During these years, a pro-independence movement emerged, and in 2001, East Timor was recognized as a country.
Iran and Iraq
1980: First clash over a border issue. An eight-year unofficial war ensued. 1988: A ceasefire was signed. 1990: Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait due to its oil reserves, leading to the first Gulf War, with the United States intervening and imposing blockades.
Afghanistan
- When the Russians withdrew, the Taliban regime was instituted.
- A guerrilla group, supported by Russia, sought to establish a communist government.
- Civil War (1987-1989) between pro-communist forces and the Taliban.
- A two-year truce was broken when the Taliban attacked Kabul and established an Islamic dictatorship.
- Al-Qaeda was given asylum.
- Following the Twin Towers attack in 2001 (Osama bin Laden), the U.S. decided to destroy the Taliban, invading Afghanistan: This marked the second Gulf War. The U.S. claimed to have found evidence of implication between Al-Qaeda and the Iraqi government.
Israel
1978: The leader of the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) began dialogue with Israel. However, the armed wing of the PLO ignored him and attacked Lebanon. 1982: President Ariel Sharon ordered the bombing of Palestinian refugee camps (Shabra and Shatila). The Intifada responded by throwing stones. 1991: The Madrid Conference aimed to reconcile the two sides. Two years later, peace was signed in Washington: The PLO recognized the state of Israel; Gaza and the West Bank (excluding Jerusalem) were granted autonomy; the PLO established its headquarters in Jericho. 1999: Benjamin Netanyahu came to power in Israel. The Second Intifada began: Benjamin gradually reintroduced tanks into Gaza and the West Bank, and issued several ultimatums. Ariel Sharon returned to power, and terrorist attacks resumed. The area is now “free with a wall,” but Israel controls the supply at will.
South America: Dictatorships and Transitions
Chile
Chile was a democracy, but in 1970, the Popular Unity Party (a coalition of centrist parties led by Salvador Allende) came to power. Allende proposed a program of social aid and nationalization. The conservative party opposed these reforms and initiated an anti-reform movement, including an economic blockade, capital flight, and support for extremist groups. Salvador Allende won the elections again, but in 1973, the U.S. supported a coup led by General Augusto Pinochet, bombing “La Moneda,” the Chilean government center. Before being arrested, Salvador Allende committed suicide.
Pinochet established a dictatorship with neoliberal economic policies. In 1988, he was forced to call an election and lost, but it took two years for him to leave power. His successor was Patricio Aylwin, but Chile was still governed by the military, and many were accused of corruption. Pinochet was later brought to justice, thanks to Spanish citizens who had lived in Chile and filed complaints. There were 100,000 cases of torture, 2,000 deaths, and 1,000 missing persons.
Argentina
A dictatorship was established in 1976 by Jorge Videla. Many political prisoners disappeared. The Falklands War against England, initiated by Videla to occupy the islands, led to an uprising against him. Democratic elections were called, and Ramón Alfonsín became president. Many soldiers were jailed. In 1991, Carlos Menem came to power with a populist policy, gradually removing rights. He enacted the “Ley de Punto Final” (End Point Law), which spared all soldiers accused of murder. He implemented an economic adjustment policy that increased the gap between classes, leading to riots. In 1998, Fernando de la Rúa became president. During his administration, Argentina went bankrupt. The “Corralito” was implemented, preventing people from withdrawing more than a certain amount of money from banks, causing outrage. Héctor Kirchner succeeded him and managed to recover the economy. Today, Kirchner’s wife governs.