Africa, the Middle East, Asia in the Era of Independence
Chapter 34 Reading Guide
1. What problems did the newly independent ex-colonial states face?
2. How did Bangladesh get created? (see page 839 for map)
3. Why does the text refer to the “population bomb”? (look at the graph on page 841) How does
the rising population affect each new country?
4. What was the position of women in these states? Who were some of the most influential
women of the time?
5. How did the Cold War affect their development?
6. Where did one-party rule become popular? Why?
7. Why did dictatorships and revolutions often develop in these states? What is the Muslim
Brotherhood?
8. How did Egypt develop? Make sure to mention Nasser, Sadat, and Mubarak.
9. What was the Green Revolution? Why is it important?
10. What happened in Iran? Who was Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini? Who supported him? Who
didn’t? What was Iran like after the revolution? What did the west do in response?
11. What was South Africa like in the era of Apartheid? Give examples.
12. Identify the following: African National Congress, Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, F.W. de Klerk
13. Why is the environment endangered in many of the region’s states?
14. How have international economic conditions impacted development?
15. What role has the military played in post-colonial politics? With what results?