Materials

• A copy of the following maps for each student
  – Indian Sub-Continent under British control
  – Indian Sub-Continent after 1947 partition
• Internet access
• A set of questions using the following two Web sites dealing with Pakistan/Indian crisis in the modern era:
  – “Q & A.” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/353352.stm
  – “India-Pakistan Tensions Mount.” http://www.selfdetermine.org/news/0112india_body.html

NOTE: This information is not specifically covered in the Standards of Learning; however it illustrates how events affect not only current events, but future events as well. The information can be connected to the Cold War Standard (WHII.12) related to the build-up of nuclear weapons around the world.

Instructional Activities

1. Divide the class into several groups of three or four students. Half of the groups will represent European imperial powers. The other half will represent European imperial possessions.
   
   
2. Assign the following questions to the groups representing the imperial powers:
   • Why do your countries need colonies?
   • How does having colonies affect the economy and military of the imperial powers?
   • How could World War II hurt the imperial strength of European imperial powers? How could this question be analyzed from the viewpoint of the victorious nations (England and France) and of the defeated nations (Germany and Italy)?
   • How did the right to self-determination (guaranteed by the United Nations Charter) further hurt European imperialism?
   
   
3. Assign the following questions to the groups representing the imperial possessions:
   • Why did European imperial powers want control of your countries?
   • How did European imperial powers affect your country (including positive and negative effects)?
   • How did World War II influence nationalism and self-determination movements in your nations?
   • How did the right to self-determination (guaranteed by the United Nations Charter) further inspire nationalism and independence movements?
   
   NOTE: Tell the students they must recall information from the units on imperialism and World War II to answer the questions fully.
   
   
4. After groups have had time to answer their questions, review their responses as a class. Include the following in the discussion:
   • European Powers were weakened politically, economically, and militarily after World War II. Therefore, the governments of the European powers were unable and unwilling to hold on to colonies around the world.
   • Citizens of colonial possessions no longer wished to be controlled by an outside force. Therefore, independence movements began.
   
   
5. Introduce the unit by explaining to the class that in India, Africa, and the Middle East peoples and nations began to seek out and win independence from the European powers. Explain that the road to independence was often bumpy and bloody.
   
   
6. Direct the students to read the article on Mohandas Gandhi from <http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/gandhi.html> as background for class discussion during the next session. Explain that Mohandas Gandhi is sometimes referred to as mahatma (“great soul”).