Bangldesh

The Creation of Bangladesh

Mr. GibbsDeveloping Nations

Spring 2009

Vast Differences

• Land – Languages - Pre-Independence HistoryThe only thing that bound them together

(loosely at that) was ISLAM

Our Biggest Problem• How are we going to

govern two lands that are geographically separate?

– Especially considering the political capital was in WEST Pakistan and the majority of

– the citizens living in EAST Pakistan

Fight for our Rights

• The Awami League was formed• Greater autonomy for East Pakistan• Sheik Mujibur Rahman (a.k.a Sheik Mujib)

Election Day

• 1970 –the election of a new National Assembly (Congress)

• Awami League candidates won a clear majority – 167 seats out of the 313 possible.

• Ayub Khan - military ruler – ignored the results and postponed the new Congress

Double Trouble

• Problem #1 – Riots broke out in the streets of East Pakistan

Mother Nature made things worse• Problem #2 – a cyclone

and tidal wave hit East Pakistan – historically remembered as one of the greatest natural disasters of all time– 600,000 Casualties– Effect? The East

Pakistanis felt the government was not sympathetic and did not supply enough aid.

Martial Law

• Martial Law is imposed – the Pakistani army is sent to the West to put down the riots.

• “What followed for the next nine months was probably one of the greatest bloodbaths in modern history as the army began a systematic slaughter of the Bengalis”

Millions affected

• 1 million murders• 10 Million head for India• 10 million displaced within East Pakistan

India enters the conflict

• Recognizes and supports and independent East Pakistan (Bangladesh)

• Helped defeat the West Pakistani army in Bangladesh

The aftermath

• Millions displaced – GNP per capita devastated

• Infrastructure – farmlands and factories destroyed

• However….The spirit and nationalism in the hearts of the new Bangladesh was established

The Future….?

• Unstable government• Population Density is off the charts• Its geographic location makes it susceptible to

natural disasters• Heavy reliance on foreign aid