Asian Nationalism

• Themes of Nationalism


  • Aggressive Nationalism - Manifested by forcefully taking lands of other countries with the goal of expanding and gaining dominance over others
  • Defensive Nationalism - Manifested by protecting one's country through declaration of war, revolts, diplomacy, and similar forms
• Manifestations of Nationalism in present times

  • Unity among people
  • Patronizing local products
  • Advocating justice and fulfilling citizen responsibilities
  • Readiness to sacrifice one's life for the sake of the country
• Bayanihan


  A Filipino strategy where we help within our capabilities and even go out of our way to help a stranger, associated with hospitality
• Development of Nationalism in India


  1. Sepoy Rebellion due to introduction of Enfield Rifle with cartridges rumored to be lubricated with pig and cow lard

  2. Mohandas Gandhi's non-violent means of rallying against English rule through boycotts and hunger strikes

  3. Indians gained independence on 15th August 1947 under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru
• Ahimsa


  Non-violent means
• Development of Nationalism in Pakistan


  1. Partition of India into India and Pakistan due to division among Indian Hindus and Indian Muslims

  2. Mohammad Ali Jinnah became first governor-general of Pakistan in 1947 after it was formally separated from India
• Development of Nationalism in Sri Lanka


  1. Trade was a key factor in establishing foreign relations

  2. Don Stephen Senanayake urged for economic self-determination until full independence

  3. Sri Lanka gained status of Dominion in 1948, later renamed as Republic of Sri Lanka in 1972
• Development of Nationalism in Maldives


  1. Maldives was a British protectorate, sultanates were abolished, and Maldives granted full independence in 1965

  2. First republic led by Prime Minister Ahmed Zaki, later replaced by President Ibrahim Nasir
• Development of Nationalism in Afghanistan


  Afghans defeated the British in the First, Second and Third Anglo-Afghan Wars, regaining control of external affairs in 1919
• Retrieval Chart - Factors and Manifestations of Nationalism in South Asian Countries

  • Country
  • Triggering Events
  • Manifestation of Nationalism
• Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston (EOKA)


  Anti-British nationalistic group established in Cyprus to end foreign rule
• Development of Nationalism in Cyprus


  1. Cyprus was dominated by Ottoman Turks until 1878, then taken as a British protectorate

  2. EOKA group established to end foreign rule, Cyprus gained independence in 1960
• Development of Nationalism in Georgia


  Georgia was part of Ottoman Empire, then Russian Empire, enjoyed short-lived independence 1918-1921, gained independence in 1991 after collapse of Soviet Union
• Pirveli Dasi


  First Group, a social movement led by Prince Ilia Chavchavadze in Georgia
• Development of Nationalism in Iraq


  1. Iraq was taken from Ottoman Turks by Britain during WWI, Hashemite monarchy imposed as rulers

  2. Two variants of nationalism - unified nation of Arab, Turkmen, Assyrian, Kurdish, and link to Arab peninsula

  3. Iraq admitted to League of Nations and founding member of Arab League, gained independence in 1932
• Development of Nationalism in Turkey


  1. After WWI, Allies given authority to rule over Constantinople, War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal who aligned Islamic principles with nationalism

  2. Republic of Turkey proclaimed in 1923, Mustafa Kemal given title Atatürk meaning "Father of the Turks"
• Development of Nationalism in Yemen

  1. After Ottoman Empire collapse, North Yemen became independent republic, South Yemen continued under British supervision until 1967

  2. Yemenis reunited in 1990, Republic of Yemen declared independent
• Retrieval Chart - Factors and Manifestations of Nationalism in West Asian Countries

  • Country
  • Triggering Events
  • Manifestation of Nationalism
• Development of Nationalism in Kazakhstan


  1. Kazakh Khanate divided into three Hordes, Little Horde and part of Middle Horde signed treaties of protection with Russia

  2. Kazakhstan became Soviet Republic, declared independence in 1991 after collapse of Soviet Union
• Development of Nationalism in Kyrgyzstan


  1. Kyrgyz faced threats from Kokand Khanate, Great Rebellion of Kyrgyz in 1916 against Russian rule

  2. Kyrgyzstan first in North Asia to join independent countries in 1991 after Soviet collapse
• Development of Nationalism in Tajikistan


  Basmachi revolt by Tajiks in 1916 to fight Tsarist Russia and Soviet rule, poor living conditions in 1980s led to unrest
• Little Horde and part of Middle Horde signed treaties of protection with the powerful Russia in 1730s to 1740s
• In 1920, Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic
• Kazakhstan declared independence on December 16, 1991
• Between 1835-1858, a war occurred between two tribes residing in the Tien Shan Mountains, which the Russians took as an opportunity to establish dominion over the land
• In 1916, the Great Rebellion of Kyrgyz happened which resulted in thousands of North Asian's death and massive migration to China
• Kyrgyzstan was the first in the North Asian region to join the world's independent countries on August 31, 1991
• In 1916, Basmachi revolt by the Tajiks was launched to fight the Tsarist Russia and Soviet ruling
• In 1980, Tajikistan had poor living conditions which was a result of Kahar Mahkamov's attempt to market Tajikistan's economy
• Tajikistan was formed on September 9, 1991
• The country was known to be part of the Anti-Bolshevik Propaganda in 1918
• Turkmenistan declared its independence on September 27, 1991
• After the year 1520, the Uzbeks successfully established the Khanate of Bukhara
• In 1924, Uzbekistan was absorbed into the Soviet Republic
• Uzbekistan gained its independence on August 31, 1991
• Genghis Khan founded the Mongol empire in 1206
• Bogd Khan, the last Khagan of Mongols, proclaimed the independence of the country in 1911
• In 1921, Mongolia was free from the Chinese colonizers and Mongolian People's Republic was declared
• The first event that sparked Chinese Nationalism was driven by the Opium Wars that happened between 1839 to 1860
• Mao Zedong led the creation of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 1949