This paper goes into the background covering the differences leading up to the breakup of Pakistan, the civil war that broke out when West Pakistani troops tried to subdue the East, the regional war that broke out when India intervened, and the Cold War context that it was a part of at the time.
Table of Contents
1. Background
2. Civil War
3. Indian Intervention
4. Cold War
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the multifaceted origins of Bangladesh's independence, analyzing how internal cultural, economic, and political disparities within Pakistan, the subsequent Civil War, and the geopolitical dynamics of the Cold War coalesced to facilitate the creation of the new state.
- The historical and social background of the tensions between East and West Pakistan.
- The political and military escalation leading to the 1971 Civil War.
- The strategic role and impact of India’s military intervention.
- The diplomatic influence and policy agendas of the United States and the Soviet Union during the conflict.
- The long-term consequences of the war on the region.
Excerpt from the Book
Civil War
One of the factors that led to the creation of Bangladesh was Civil War. After the elections of 1970 the government in West Pakistan realized that if it wanted to stop the growing power of the Bengalis they were going to have to do so through force. Between March 10 and March 13 Pakistani international airlines cancelled all their international routes to urgently fly “governmental passengers” (“History of Bangladesh, 1952-1971”). These “governmental passengers were soldiers dressed as civilians. On March 25, 1971, the Pakistan army launched Operation Searchlight to get the Bengalis to submit to West Pakistan’s demands. In response Bengali leaders formed the Mukti Bahini, their guerilla and armed forces to fight Pakistani soldiers, and declared their independence from West Pakistan (Jamal). Mukti Bahini would go on to fight much more valiantly and effectively than the Pakistan army would have imagined. Many East Pakistani unites refused to fire on the Bengalis leading to a mutiny and many of them joined the Mukti Bahini (Zaheer 166). This proved that much of East Pakistan did not want to remain part of East Pakistan and would rather fight to separate than fight to remain a part of Pakistan. To stop coverage of the events, the Pakistani army locked up foreign journalists. The journalists were put in the Hotel Inter-Continental, and when they tried to see things for themselves they were told by the commanding officer “If I can kill my own people I can kill you” (Zaheer 168). This showed that the Pakistanis knew they were committing crimes and needed to cover up their actions in order to stop international opinion from being against them too heavily. With war having broken out, the Bengalis formed a provisional government with Sheikh Rahman as acting president on April 17 (“Nation Observes Mujibnagar Day Tomorrow”). Rahman was acting President, as opposed to actual President, because he was arrested at the start of the war by Pakistani forces. Due to the fighting breaking out and many Bengalis facing persecution, an estimated ten million people fled into India and became refugees (Grbac).
Summary of Chapters
Background: Explores the geographical, cultural, linguistic, and economic disparities between East and West Pakistan that rendered the unity of the two regions unsustainable.
Civil War: Details the transition from political dissent to armed conflict following the 1970 elections, the launch of Operation Searchlight, and the subsequent formation of the Mukti Bahini.
Indian Intervention: Analyzes the factors that compelled India to support the Bangladeshi independence movement, including the refugee crisis and the desire to weaken a regional rival.
Cold War: Discusses the international dimension of the conflict, focusing on the conflicting agendas of the United States, which supported Pakistan to maintain its China initiative, and the Soviet Union, which aligned with India.
Keywords
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cold War, Indian Intervention, Civil War, Mukti Bahini, United States, Soviet Union, East Bengal, Sovereignty, Geopolitics, 1971 War, Refugees, Autonomy, Diplomacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the historical and geopolitical factors that led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, focusing on the internal strife within Pakistan and the influence of major world powers.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The main themes include political and economic inequality, the breakdown of civil order, military conflict, and the diplomatic strategies of superpowers during the Cold War era.
What is the central research focus?
The research explores how internal Pakistani issues, the humanitarian and military crisis, and external Cold War interventions combined to make the secession and independence of Bangladesh inevitable.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author utilizes a historical, analytical approach, synthesizing existing literature, historical reports, and government documentation to trace the chain of events leading to the emergence of the new state.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body breaks down the conflict into four distinct areas: the historical background of inequality, the reality of the civil war, the impact of India’s intervention, and the specific diplomatic roles played by the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Bangladesh, Cold War, Indian Intervention, Civil War, Mukti Bahini, Geopolitics, and Sovereignty.
How did the Bhola cyclone specifically influence the independence movement?
The government's perceived inability to respond effectively to the devastation caused by the 1970 Bhola cyclone exacerbated public anger and served as a catalyst for the Awami League's electoral success, further destabilizing West Pakistani control.
Why did the United States maintain a pro-Pakistan policy despite the humanitarian crisis?
The United States prioritized its strategic "China initiative" and sought to use Pakistan as a diplomatic intermediary, often viewing the conflict through a Cold War lens rather than a humanitarian one.
What role did the "Blood Telegram" play in U.S. policy debates?
The "Blood Telegram," written by Archer Blood, served as a formal protest from within the U.S. State Department against the administration’s support for the Pakistani government during the crisis, highlighting domestic dissent against the official policy.
- Quote paper
- Mark Barnes (Author), 2015, The impact of the Cold War on the creation of Bangladesh, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/336248
