The International Red Cross

The International Red Cross aids nations around the world providing releif to disaster survivors as well as victims of war. Also the ICRC works to strengthen and protect humanitarian law and priciples.

http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/section_ihl_in_brief
This page explains the definition of humanitarian law. This set of rules limit the effects of armed conflict and to protect those who are not engaged in it, indirectly connecting to imperialism in that it provides help to those who may have been victims of a violent imperialistic movement in their country.

The International Monetary Fund

The International Monetary Fund helps to impove the standard of living throughout the world in a number of different ways. One of which is giving out loans to low-income countries; they also provide technical assistance and training in particular fields, fight against money-laudering and terrorism, and monitor economic and financial development throughout the world.

http://www.imf.org/external/np/leg/index.htm
This particular page discusses the role that the IMF plays in the governence and legal issues of various countries. This page includes links to articals on legal topics such as finance and the development of nations, which relates to imperialism because of the fact that by helping certain countries develop and grow stronger (economically, technically) they are less likely to be taken over or governed by other countries.

The United Nations

http://www.un.org/issues/m-decol.html

The United Nations has aided countries in obtaining their independence in a number of ways. One of which is adopting various documents of freedom to help speed the process of decolonization and also provide support to the Special Committee to review issues related to decolonization, making it a recognized issue.

http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

"Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law"

"Everyone has the right to a nationality."

Syria

France first gained control of Syria in 1920. In September of 1936, Syria actually negotiated a treaty of independence with France. However because the French Legislature refused to ratify the document, the treaty never came into existence. Nevertheless, with the fall of France in World War II during 1940, Syria became under Vichy government control until the British and Free French began to occupy the country in July of 1941. At this time Syria proclaimed its independence, but it wasn't until January 1, 1944 that it was recognized as an independent country.

STATS: Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.9 years
male: 69.53 years
female: 72.35 years (2008 est.)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 79.6%
male: 86%
female: 73.6% (2004 census)

GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,300 (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:
10% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:
11.9% (2006 est.)

Continued European Influence
1) Language- French and English are still somewhat understood
2) Legal System- based on a combination of French and Ottoman civil law
3) Religion- Christianity is still existent in throughout the country

http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/countries/country_syria.html

Cambodia

France colonized the region of Cambodia in 1863. The rise of Norodom Sihanouk into power as well as Japanese occupation during World War II, gave the people of Cambodia the determination to create a country free from outside rule. When the war was over, Cambodians began to fight for their independence, but France was very perisitant about keeping them as a colony. Cambodia was then granted its independence within the French Union in 1949. But then, during the French-Indochinese War, Sihanouk was able to gain full military control. Cambodia finally gained its indepence on November 9, 1953.

STATS:
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 61.69 years
male: 59.65 years
female: 63.83 years (2008 est.)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 73.6%
male: 84.7%
female: 64.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,800 (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:
2.5% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line:
35% (2004)

Continued European Influence
1) Language- French and English are still used in parts of the country
2) Legal System- primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period

http://www.mekong.net/cambodia/facts.htm

Libya

Libya was under Italian occupation until 1943. This was the time that Italy had been defeated in World War II. Libya then became under the Allies Armies occupation, and the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on November 21, 1949, which granted the independence Libya before January 1, 1952. After many years of political stuggle, and by taking advantage of the Italian defeat, Libya finally gained its full independence on December 24, 1951.

STATS:
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.07 years
male: 74.81 years
female: 79.44 years (2008 est.)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 82.6%
male: 92.4%
female: 72% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):
$13,100 (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:
30% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:
7.4% (2005 est.)

Continued European Influence
1)Language- English and Italian are widely used in major cities
2)Legal System- based on Italian and French civil law systems
3)Architecture

http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/countries/country_libya.html

Morocco

Morocco had been controlled by France since 1912. In 1943 a group of nationalists formed a party called Istiqlal, which called for total independence of Morocco. After the Moroccan Sultan Muhammad 5 is exiled by the French in 1953, rebellion is beginning to spread throughout the country. Even though they allowed his return in 1955, this did not put an end to the unrest in the country. In 1956, when France was fully engaged in war against Algeria and was too busy to deal with the Moroccan chaos, Morocco was granted full independence in March of 1956.

STATS:
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.52 years
male: 69.16 years
female: 74 years (2008 est.)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 52.3%
male: 65.7%
female: 39.6% (2004 census)

GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,800 (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:
15% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:
15% (2007 est.)

Continued European Influence
1) Language- French is still spoken in many business settings
2) Legal System- based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law systems

http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/countries/country_morocco.html

New Nations Seek Stability

What problems did new nations face while seeking stability?

Why did many new nations remain unaligned?

How many countries emerged during the Great Liberation?

How did the Cold War undermine imperialism?

Why did many nations win their independence from European rule after World War II?

The End of Imperialism

AFRICA:
1. Prior to 1800, 1801-1900, 1901-1920, 1921-1940
2. 1981-Present
3. 1961-1980
4. 1941-1960


ASIA
1. 1901-1920
2. Prior to 1800, 1921-1940
3. 1961-1980
4. 1981-Present
5. 1941-1960


ASIA AND AFRICA
1. 1801-1900
2. 1901-1920
3. Prior to 1800
4. 1921-1940
5. 1981-Present
6. 1961-1980
7. 1941-1960

I found this assignment to be quite interesting. One thing that I learned was that most of Africa wasn't colonized until around 1960; that was very surprising. I didn't realize how much political turmoil there must've been during those times. Also I was surprised by the fact that many countries in Asia hadn't been independent until quite recently. I suppose this accounts for some of the chaos that has occured in the "Stans" recently, however it was still surprising to discover how new some of these countries are in terms of their independence.

I think that Great Britain was the most powerful European country in 1914. I base my opinion on the fact that they colonized much more land than any other country in Europe. Also on the world map of 1914 one can see that there is a lot more pink land (sybolizing British colonies) than any other color. They held control of Australia and Canada entirely, as well as India, and even some of Africa; that is a lot of land, and in those days, land meant power.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VizvUYTK9f0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw5bi8tMNg0