POL - War...What is it good for? [LESSON]
War...What is it good for?
In 1970 Edwin Starr released a song simply titled, “War.” In the lyrics, Edwin asks a rhetorical question, “War, what is it good for?” He answers his own question with, “Absolutely nothin’!” And while that may be true for Mr. Starr and those who suffer the devastating consequences of war like death, injury, and destruction there certainly are reasons, both internal and external for why conflict exists around the world. Otherwise, it wouldn’t occur. Much of that internal and external conflict is caused by cultural differences. These conflicts have a profound impact on global affairs. By the end of this lesson, you will learn about historical instances of such conflict, like the partition of India, post-colonial Africa, and independence movements by people like the Scots, Kurds, and Basques. These real-life examples will help us gain insights into the complex factors that fuel cultural conflicts and shape the political landscape around the world.
What are the Patterns of Border Conflicts? | Video
Watch the following video about border conflicts.
Guide Point 🧭
War...What is it good for?
Partition of India:
The partition of India in 1947 was a seismic geopolitical event rooted in religious differences. As the subcontinent gained independence from British rule with the help of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi (pictured), the division into India and Pakistan was primarily driven by the cultural and religious divide between Hindus and Muslims. This conflict resulted in significant internal challenges within both nations. India, as a secular state, faced the difficult task of managing a population with multiple religious beliefs. Pakistan created a homeland for Muslims in the region.
However, the most tragic aspect was the massive religious migration that ensued. An estimated 10 to 15 million people (about twice the population of New Jersey) were displaced, as Hindus and Sikhs in West & East Pakistan made their way to India, and Muslims in India made their way to West and East Pakistan. Ensuing conflicts between the two groups resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. The religious migration, known as the largest in human history, led to widespread communal violence and atrocities. The scars of this period continue to impact the region today.
For example, there is an ongoing conflict in the Kashmir region. Look at the map. Kashmir is located between India and Pakistan. The conflict has been fueled by both religious and territorial disputes. The conflict has resulted in multiple wars and continues to be a flashpoint in South Asia.
Mahatma Gandhi.
Post-colonial Africa:
Do you recall the differences in the European created colonial map of Africa and the map of African ethnic groups from the Crash Course Tyranny of the Map video? They help us understand the conflicts in Africa after the near century of European colonialism. Conflicts in post-colonial Africa have been deeply rooted in the legacy of colonial borders imposed without regard for ethnic or cultural considerations. The arbitrary nature of these borders became sources of tension and conflict among diverse ethnic groups. For example, the Hutu-Tutsi genocide in 1994 in Rwanda, a small country in Central Africa, illustrates how colonial borders only worsened ethnic tensions, leading to internal conflicts.
Genocide is the systematic and intentional destruction of a racial, ethnic, religious, or national group, often involving mass killings, displacement, and other acts aimed at eliminating the targeted group in whole or in part. The genocide in Rwanda was a planned campaign by extremist members of Rwanda's majority Hutu population to kill the Tutsi minority and anyone who opposed their actions. The genocide was part of the Rwandan Civil War, which was the result of a long-running dispute between the Hutu and Tutsi groups. It led to the deaths of an estimated 800,000 people (about half the population of Nebraska).
A memorial in Kibuye, Rwanda - august 2008 at Saint Jean Catholic Church. It reads, “This memorial, for the 11,400 massacred during genocide 1994.”
Internally, African nations continue to grapple with the challenges of maintaining unity among diverse cultural groups. Cultural tensions and struggles for representation persist, shaping the internal dynamics of these nations.
Independence Movements: Scots, Kurds, and Basques:
External conflicts associated with the independence movements of the Scots, Kurds, and Basques have been caused by cultural identity and historical grievances. The Scots' pursuit of independence from the United Kingdom, the Kurds' desire for autonomy in regions spanning Iraq, Iran, Türkiye, and Syria, and the Basques' quest for independence in Spain are prime examples.
Scots:
Scotland has been a part of the United Kingdom for over 300 years. The Scottish independence movement has been caused by historical tensions and a distinct Scottish national identity. This photograph was taken in 2019. In 2021, 55% of members elected to the Scottish Parliament belonged to political parties that are pro-Independence. The desire for greater political power stems from differences in governing priorities between Scotland and the rest of the U.K.
Glasgow, Scotland - May 4 2019: Pro Scottish independence supporters on Yes march in Glasgow city center.
Kurds:
Political buttons supporting the Kurdish referendum in 2017.
The Kurdish independence movement is complex, involving Kurds residing in Iraq, Iran, Türkiye, and Syria. Historically, the Kurds have faced marginalization and restrictions on their cultural and political rights. Most notably, the movement for Kurdish independence has been influenced by historical events, including the oppressive regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. During Hussein’s rule, particularly in the late 1980s, the unique Kurdish population faced severe repression involving mass killings and chemical weapon attacks. These atrocities left a lasting impact on the Kurdish people, contributing greatly to their quest for statehood. In 2017, a vote of Kurdish people showed the majority supported independence. Still, as we learned in a previous lesson in this module, the Kurds remain a stateless nation.
Basques:
San Sebastian, Spain - June 12, 2018: Protestors are protesting the imprisonment of Basque-independence activists by Spain.
The Basque independence movement in Spain is also marked by a distinct cultural identity and historical grievances. The Basques, with their unique language and traditions, seek autonomy and recognition of their distinctive status within Spain. Historical tensions, including the Franco era of the mid-20th century, have contributed to a desire for self-determination. The movement involves both political and cultural dimensions, reflecting complex historical, linguistic, and political factors. This photograph is from a 2018 protest of the Spanish imprisonment of pro-Independence activists.
Internally, the governments of these countries facing these independence movements must manage demands for autonomy while preserving national unity. A difficult task.
Independence Movement | Practice Activity
Match the independence movement to the correct country below.
Reflection
As we conclude this lesson, you've navigated the intricacies of cultural conflicts, examining detailed examples from the partition of India, post-colonial Africa, and the independence movements of the Scots, Kurds, and Basques. Reflect on the external and internal causes of these conflicts and consider how cultural dynamics shape the geopolitical landscape, influencing both external relations and internal struggles for identity and autonomy.
In our next lesson, we'll continue our exploration of global dynamics by examining how political, economic, and social networks and organizations wield influence over places, countries, and regions. Get ready to explore the interconnected threads that bind our world together instead of the dividing forces we learned about in this lesson.
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