Unresolved TENSIONS After World War I [AP World History Review—Unit 7 Topic 5]

Summary

The script discusses the aftermath of World War I, highlighting the unfulfilled promises of independence for colonial peoples despite their participation in the war. It delves into the mandate system established at the Paris Peace Conference, which failed to grant self-determination to territories like the Middle East, leading to anti-colonial resistance. The script also touches on Japan's expansionist policies and the formation of resistance movements such as the Indian National Congress and the African National Congress, emphasizing the long struggle for independence that continued beyond World War II.

Takeaways

• 🕊️ World War I ended but left behind tensions, particularly regarding colonial peoples' desires for independence from imperial powers.
• 🏰 Despite colonial contributions to World War I, victorious powers did not grant them independence, maintaining or even expanding their colonial holdings.
• 🇹🇷 The Republic of Turkey emerged as a new state under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, an exception to the general trend of colonial territories changing hands.
• 🏛️ The Paris Peace Conference introduced the mandate system, dividing former Ottoman and German colonies among the victorious powers under the guise of the League of Nations.
• 🌐 The mandate system categorized territories into three classes based on population size and development level, with Class A theoretically ready for independence but often treated as colonies.
• 🗾 Japan, as a non-Western power, expanded its empire in defiance of the League of Nations, creating the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
• 🚫 Japan's invasion of Manchuria in 1931 was a clear violation of League of Nations rules, leading to its withdrawal from the organization.
• 🌊 The dashed hopes for independence post-WWI sparked anti-imperial resistance movements, such as the Indian National Congress and the African National Congress.
• 🧘‍♂️ Mahatma Gandhi's leadership in the Indian National Congress led to significant peaceful protests against British policies in India.
• 🌿 The African National Congress fought for equal rights in South Africa, influenced by pan-Africanism, advocating for the unity and equality of black people worldwide.
• 📚 The script encourages viewers to review for Unit 7 and use video note guides for a comprehensive understanding of the course content.

Q & A

What was the main consequence of World War I that led to global tension, especially among colonial peoples?

The main consequence of World War I that led to global tension was the failure of the victorious powers to reward colonial peoples with independence and self-rule, despite their sacrifices during the war. Instead, European powers and Japan maintained their colonial holdings, and in some cases, even expanded them.

What was the mandate system introduced at the Paris Peace Conference?

The mandate system was introduced at the Paris Peace Conference as a compromise to administer the territories of the dismantled Ottoman and German Empires. It created a three-tiered structure to classify these territories based on their population size and level of development, with Class A mandates being the most developed and supposedly ready for independence.

How did the mandate system contradict the principle of self-determination as advocated by US President Woodrow Wilson?

The mandate system contradicted the principle of self-determination because, despite Wilson's insistence on the right of states to govern themselves, the victorious powers, including the British and French, treated the Class A mandates as colonies, not granting them the independence they were deemed ready for.

What was the impact of the mandate system on the colonial territories in the Middle East?

The mandate system led to the British occupying Israel and Iraq, and the French occupying Syria and Lebanon, treating these territories as colonies rather than granting them independence and self-rule as the system suggested they were ready for.

How did Japan's actions in the interwar period reflect its status as a non-western power with imperial ambitions?

Japan's actions in the interwar period, such as the invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and the creation of the puppet state Manchukuo, reflected its status as a non-western power with imperial ambitions, seeking to expand its empire and gain access to valuable natural resources, despite violating the rules of the League of Nations.

What was the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, and how did it relate to Japan's expansion in the Pacific?

The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was the term used by Japan to describe its area of influence in the Pacific, which it sought to expand throughout the interwar period. This expansion was driven by Japan's desire to establish itself as a powerful industrial nation with an empire, similar to Western powers.

What was the Indian National Congress, and how did it contribute to the anti-imperial resistance movement in India?

The Indian National Congress was an organization formed in India before World War I to formally petition the British government for greater degrees of self-rule. It became a significant part of the anti-imperial resistance movement in the 1920s, especially under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, who led various acts of potent but peaceful protest against British policies.

How did the African National Congress contribute to the anti-imperial resistance movement in South Africa?

The African National Congress, founded in South Africa by Western-educated lawyers and journalists, was dedicated to obtaining equal rights for colonial subjects in South Africa. Influenced by the ideas of pan-Africanism, it opposed imperial racial policies and worked towards the equality and unity of all black people across the world.

What were the long-term effects of the anti-imperial resistance movements on the colonial powers and the colonized territories?

The long-term effects of the anti-imperial resistance movements included the eventual independence of colonized territories such as India and the dismantling of colonial empires. These movements also contributed to the spread of ideas about self-determination and equality, influencing global politics and the formation of new nations.

What role did Mahatma Gandhi play in the Indian independence movement, and what was the nature of his protests?

Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement as a leader of the Indian National Congress. He led the Indian people in various acts of potent but peaceful protest against British policies, advocating for nonviolent civil disobedience as a means to achieve independence.

Outlines

00:00

🕊️ Post-WWI Colonial Tensions

The script discusses the aftermath of World War I, highlighting the increased tensions among colonial peoples who expected independence as a reward for their participation in the war. Despite fighting alongside the victorious powers, these expectations were not met, and European powers and Japan maintained their colonial holdings. The script introduces Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, as an exception to this rule. It also criticizes the mandate system established at the Paris Peace Conference, which divided former Ottoman and German territories among the victorious powers under the guise of the League of Nations, leading to disappointment and resistance among the colonized.

🌏 The Mandate System and Imperial Resistance

This paragraph delves into the mandate system, a three-tiered structure that categorized colonial territories based on population size and development levels. Class C mandates were treated as colonies and were taken over by the British and Japanese. Class B mandates, with larger but still underdeveloped populations, were ruled by the victorious powers, including most of Germany's African colonies. Class A mandates, deemed ready for self-rule, were ironically also occupied by the British and French. The script then transitions to the expansion of Japan's empire, detailing its invasion of Manchuria and the creation of the puppet state Manchukuo, and its subsequent territorial seizures in the Pacific, forming the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

📜 Anti-Imperial Movements in India and South Africa

The final paragraph focuses on the rise of anti-imperial resistance movements, particularly the Indian National Congress and the African National Congress. The Indian National Congress, initially formed to petition for self-rule, gained momentum under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership, leading various peaceful protests against British policies. Similarly, the African National Congress, founded by Western-educated individuals in South Africa, fought for equal rights for colonial subjects and was influenced by pan-Africanism. Both movements faced significant challenges, with full success only achieved after World War II. The script concludes with a call to action for viewers to review and utilize video note guides for better understanding.

Keywords

💡World War I

World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global war that lasted from 1914 to 1918. It involved many of the world's major powers, organized into two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. The war marked a turning point in history, leading to the collapse of several empires and significantly altering the global political landscape. In the video, the end of World War I is mentioned as a catalyst for post-war tensions, particularly concerning colonial peoples and their aspirations for independence.

💡Colonial peoples

Colonial peoples refer to the inhabitants of territories that were under the control of a foreign power, often European. These people were subject to the rule and policies of the colonial power and often sought self-determination and independence. The script discusses how colonial peoples fought in World War I, expecting rewards such as independence, but were largely met with continued colonial rule, sparking tensions and resistance movements.

💡Self-determination

Self-determination is the principle that nations or peoples have the right to freely choose their sovereignty and international political status without external interference. President Woodrow Wilson advocated for this principle during the Paris Peace Conference, suggesting that it should guide the post-war world. However, as the video explains, this ideal was not fully realized, especially for colonial territories, leading to disappointment and resistance.

💡Mandate system

The mandate system was established after World War I by the League of Nations, dividing the territories of the defeated Ottoman and German Empires among the victorious powers. It was intended to administer these territories until they were deemed ready for self-governance. The script highlights the mandate system as a compromise that ultimately did not lead to the independence of these territories, but rather a transfer of colonial control.

💡Class A, B, and C mandates

These classifications were part of the mandate system, categorizing territories based on their level of development and population size. Class A mandates were considered ready for independence, Class B mandates were larger but still underdeveloped, and Class C mandates were the smallest and least developed. The video points out the irony that even Class A mandates, supposedly ready for self-rule, were occupied by British and French forces, similar to traditional colonies.

💡Republic of Turkey

The Republic of Turkey is a country that emerged after World War I under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It represents one of the few instances where a new state was formed after the war, rather than colonial territories simply changing hands. The script uses Turkey as an example of a state that gained independence and self-rule, contrasting with the experiences of many colonial territories.

💡Japanese Empire

The Japanese Empire refers to the overseas territories that Japan acquired and controlled during its period of imperialism, which began in the late 19th century and expanded significantly in the early 20th century. The video script mentions Japan's invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and its subsequent expansion in the Pacific, which was in violation of League of Nations rules but was pursued regardless due to the lack of enforcement power by the League.

💡Manchuria

Manchuria is a historical name for a large geographic region in northeastern China. In the script, Manchuria is mentioned as the area that Japan invaded in 1931 to expand its empire and gain access to natural resources. This act was a significant violation of international norms and led to Japan's withdrawal from the League of Nations.

💡Indian National Congress

The Indian National Congress is a political party in India that has been a major player in the country's struggle for independence from British rule. Formed in the late 19th century, it initially sought to petition for greater self-rule within the British Empire. The script highlights the role of Mahatma Gandhi in leading the Congress and the Indian people in peaceful protests against British policies, which contributed to India's eventual independence.

💡African National Congress

The African National Congress (ANC) is a political party in South Africa that was founded to fight for the rights of colonial subjects and to oppose racial policies of the British Empire. Influenced by pan-Africanism, the ANC aimed for the equality and unity of all black people. The video script notes the ANC's efforts in opposing imperial rule and its eventual success in achieving its goals after World War II.

💡Pan-Africanism

Pan-Africanism is a political and social movement that seeks to encourage and strengthen bonds of unity, solidarity, and cooperation among people of African descent, particularly in the diaspora. The movement aims to promote the equality and unity of all black people across the world. In the context of the video, pan-Africanism is mentioned as an influence on the African National Congress, highlighting the desire for unity and equality in the face of colonial and racial oppression.

Highlights

The end of World War I created conditions for global tension, especially regarding colonial peoples' desire for independence.

Colonial peoples fought in WWI, but victorious powers did not reward them with independence or self-rule.

European powers and Japan maintained colonial holdings post-WWI, with some gaining new territories.

The Republic of Turkey emerged under Mustafa Kamal Ataturk, but colonial territories often just switched imperial hands.

The Paris Peace Conference introduced the mandate system in the Middle East, dividing former Ottoman and German Empires' territories.

US President Woodrow Wilson advocated for self-determination, but his ideas were largely rejected by France and Britain.

The mandate system classified territories into three tiers based on population size and development level.

Class C mandates were treated as colonies, despite the promise of self-determination.

Class B mandates were underdeveloped and ruled by victorious powers, contrary to the idea of independence.

Class A mandates were deemed suitable for independence, but were still occupied by Britain and France.

Colonial holdings' people expected freedom post-WWI, leading to anti-colonial resistance when expectations were betrayed.

Japan expanded its empire in the interwar years, violating League of Nations' rules and creating a puppet state in Manchuria.

Japan's actions led to the creation of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, furthering its imperial ambitions.

The Indian National Congress sought self-rule in India, with Gandhi leading peaceful protests against British policies.

The African National Congress fought for equal rights in South Africa, influenced by pan-Africanism and anti-imperial sentiments.

Both the Indian and African National Congresses faced a long struggle for independence, with success coming after WWII.

Transcripts

so yeah World War I is over and that's

great and all but as it turns out the

end of the war created the conditions

for all kinds of tension throughout the

world especially with respect to

Colonial peoples and their desire to

expunge Imperial powers from their lands

so I reckon we ought to talk about it

and if you're ready to get them Brin

cows milked let's get to it okay now

despite the fact the colonial people

fought in World War I the Victorious

Powers did not see fit to reward those

sacrifices with Independence and

self-rule in fact on the whole European

powers and the Japanese maintained their

colonial Holdings in the inter War

period and in some cases States gained

Colonial territory as as a result of the

war now to be fair some new states did

emerge after the war most notably the

Republic of Turkey under the leadership

of Mustafa Kamal better known as atat

Turk but and I cannot emphasize this

enough in many places Colonial territory

just switched hands from one imperial

power to another and here's where I

introduce you to the mandate system in

the Middle East so at the Paris peace

conference that ended World War I

victorious Powers aimed to dismantle the

Ottoman and German Empires and divided

those Colonial territories among

themselves as just spoils for war oh and

by the way if you want no guides to

follow along with this video and all my

videos check the Link in the description

anyway the ultimate Imperial party Foul

was committed by US President woodro

Wilson who kept insisting during the

peace negotiations that

self-determination ought to be the

guiding principle of a post-war world

and by that he meant that states should

have the right to govern themselves and

many Colonial peoples around the world

took this to mean that the outcome of

the peace conference would lead to the

freedom and Independence of colonial

Holdings everywhere but as it turns out

the French and the British were in no

mood to sit from Wilson's idealistic

rainbow milkshake and largely refused

his ideas however they couldn't just

tell woodro to shut up and go eat a

sandwich in the corner so the compromise

they made in the Middle East was known

as the mandate system and under this

system Middle Eastern territories would

become mandates administered by the

League of Nations and they created a

three- tiered structure to classify

these territorial Holdings Class C

mandates had the smallest populations

and were considered the least developed

and thus they were treated essentially

as colonies several islands in the

Pacific fit this category and were taken

over by the British and the Japanese

Class B mandates had larger populations

and were still considered underdeveloped

and therefore would be ruled by the

Victorious Powers because you know they

weren't ready for self-determination and

most of Germany's colonies in Africa

fell under this heading and were divided

among the Victorious powers and then

Class A mandates had large populations

and sufficient levels of development so

that they were deemed suitable for

Independence and self-rule but come on

you know that's not how it actually

played out no the British occupied

Israel and Iraq while the French

occupied Syria and Lebanon treating them

no different than colonies and remember

many of the people in these Colonial

Holdings interpreted the end of the war

to be their ticket to freedom so when

they got out from one imperial thumb

only to find a different Imperial thumb

descending upon them that not

surprisingly led to Fierce anti Colonial

resistance okay we'll get back to that

but first we need to consider the

expansion of Japan's Empire in the inter

War years now remember that Japan was

kind of an outlier in the world Imperial

party since it was the only non-western

state to make themselves equal to

Western power and now that Japan had a

place at the table of power they did

what powerful industrial Nations did

they got an Empire baby and so in 1931

Japan invaded Manchuria in order to

expand its Empire and gain access to

valuable natural resources and that was

a flagrant violation of the rules

established by the League of Nations but

unfortunately the league didn't have

much power to enforce its rules and just

resorted just some heavy finger wagging

so in response Japan went ahead and quit

the League of Nations and continued

right on with its program of Conquest in

the Pacific and so to that end by 1932

Japan had taken over a part of China and

created a puppet state called Manuka and

then throughout the interwar period

Japan would continue to seize territory

throughout the Pacific and dubbed its

area of influenced the greater East Asia

co-prosperity sphere okay now I said

before that the dashed hopes of colonial

people everywhere with respect to

Independence after the war led to

various anti-imperial resistance

movements and I'll mention two first was

the creation of the Indian National

Congress in you know India which was a

British colony it was formed before the

war in the late 19th century for the

purpose of formally petitioning the

British government for greater degrees

of self-rule in India but you know

Britain be Britain and despite some weak

concessions to the congress's request

British domination continued basically

unchanged in India even after millions

of Indian soldiers fought for the

British cause in World War I now the

tide would begin to turn in the 1920s

when mandes Gandhi became a significant

leader in the Congress and would lead

Indians and various acts of potent but

peaceful protest against British

policies those acts of resistance would

ultimately result in Independence though

not until after the second world war

then the second example of anti-imperial

resistance was the formation of the

African National Congress it was founded

in South Africa by Western educated

lawyers and journalists and dedicated

itself to obtaining equal rights for

Colonial subjects in South Africa and it

was influenced by the ideas of

pan-africanism which aimed for the

equality and unity of all black people

across the world and again same story

here the African National Congress did

admirable work in opposing especially

Imperial racial policies but they

wouldn't be fully successful until after

World War II Okay click here to keep

reviewing for unit 7 and click here to

grab my video note guides which will

help you get all the contents of this

course firmly crammed into your brain

fold I'm glad we got to hang out and

I'll catch you on the flipflop I'm L out