HPP 7

Present day countries, residing in regions such as Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, were not initially independent. In fact, these territories, before even establishing themselves as independent countries, faced several hardships. These struggles occurred during the conquest of these territories and the fight for independence from their conquerors. Although these hardships divided natives from their indigenous cultures, these hardships can be used to compare similarities among countries, in regard to their conquest and independence. Some commonalities among countries, both in the process of conquest and of independence, include harsh conditions during conquest, segregation and racism during conquest, and violence in order to gain independence.

            While under the rule of their conquerors, many territories faced harsh physical conditions. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, King Leopold treated natives of the Congo ruthlessly. For example, King Leopold required villages to provide four men a year to “work” as full-time slaves, whom worked for long endless hours. Yet, as if enslaving natives was not inhumane enough, King Leopold held wives and children hostage and cut off the hands of men who refused to work. Similarly, in the Philippines, the encomenderos not only neglected their obligations, but also abused natives. In addition, the conquerors were intolerant toward the natives’ old practices. Lastly, in Korea, food shortages occurred, as a result of the loss of Korean businesses and lands. In addition, the Japanese forced their language upon the Koreans, therefore showing intolerance toward the Koreans.  

            In addition to harsh conditions, conquerors also evoked segregation and racism toward natives. For example, in Rwanda, a strong segregation and racism occurred due to the division of the Tutsi and Hutu made by Belgians. Belgians divided these two groups by separating them and labeling them differently. In Jamaica, Europeans enslaved thousands of natives. These enslaved natives faced racism from the Europeans due to the fact that they suffered unfair and unequal rights. In Pakistan, segregation occurred as a result of the division between Muslims and Hindus. The British attempted to divide these two groups, but in the end failed.

            Though, with tough endurances during conquest, comes independence. However, not all countries won their independence peacefully. In Egypt, after being denied by the British government, natives became more and more violent. Eventually, the British government feared the spread of violence and granted Egypt’s independence. In Vietnam, natives fought aggressively in the first as well as the second Indochina War, also known as the Vietnam War, in order to gain independence. Although, initially, Lebanon did not involve itself in the Arab Israeli War of 1948, war broke out as a result of disagreements between Muslims and Christians. In the end, though, Lebanon and Israel agreed to end this war and therefore, Lebanon gained independence.