South East Asian independence
Independence was a difficult transition for the former colonies in South Asia following the Second World War. To what
extent were the problems and weaknesses confronting these new nations attributable to the colonial polices of the
Western empires? In what ways were the new post-1950 political leaders of South Asia to blame for the issues of poverty,
underdevelopment, and unrepresentative government? What continuing issues are these countries facing today? What
role did the Cold War play in shaping these struggles toward independence and in shaping these domestic policy
struggles?
extent were the problems and weaknesses confronting these new nations attributable to the colonial polices of the
Western empires? In what ways were the new post-1950 political leaders of South Asia to blame for the issues of poverty,
underdevelopment, and unrepresentative government? What continuing issues are these countries facing today? What
role did the Cold War play in shaping these struggles toward independence and in shaping these domestic policy
struggles?
