The most far reaching of Britain’s decolonizing steps was when it granted independence to India in 1947. Two separate nations, come to be known as the “partition” were created: 

• The predominantly Hindu state of India, with a population of some 380 million
• The predominantly Muslim state of Pakistan with about 80 million people  

In 1971 the eastern portion of Pakistan in turn became independent as Bangladesh. The partition and the transfer of populations --Muslims moving north to Pakistan and Hindus moving south to India—was accompanied by terrible rioting and bloodshed A million people may have died in the disorders. One of the victims was the nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi, shot in 1948 by a Hindu fanatic who blamed him for the partitioning of India.

Pakistan and India, two countries tied by the umbilical cord just as twins are at birth, were then separated due to religious differences, political ambitions or circumstantial expediencies.  They have suffered as a result of this bitter sibling rivalry.  Pakistan and India continue, even today to fight with one another.  Having recently both developed nuclear weapons, they have been on the verge of a fourth war.  In a world rife with war and conflict, a world capable of self-destructing through the use of nuclear technology, it is crucial to build bridges of understanding.

Assignment 10.01 - World War III is About to Occur!

The source of the conflict is the India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir.  Negotiators have so far been unsuccessful in obtaining a peace agreement between the two countries.  Pacifists, human rights activists, and nuclear non-proliferationists around the world are working feverishly to prevent the use of nuclear weapons.

A Peace Summit has been called at the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland, by the U.N. Security Council as a final attempt to avert nuclear warfare in Pakistan and India.  A war between these two nations could escalate to encompass the entire world.  Delegations from Pakistan, India, and Kashmir, have been invited to the meeting to present their proposals for a lasting peace and an end to calls for war.

India and Pakistan have been quarreling over Kashmir since 1947 when the two countries became independent from British rule and India was partitioned into two nations. One nation, Pakistan, was created specifically for the Muslims. Is peace possible in the subcontinent? Why have past attempts at peace failed? Why are India and Pakistan enemies when they were once one country? Why is Kashmir so important to both countries? What is the relationship of nuclear tests by both countries to the conflict? Why is the international community concerned about what happens here? How would you design a lasting peace agreement between India and Pakistan? As you think about these questions and the various viewpoints, you must first become familiar with the background of this conflict and what is involved in the peace process. Above all, keep in the mind the quest(ion):

How would you design a lasting peace agreement between India and Pakistan?

In order to make your peace agreement that is fair to all concerned you must complete three research tasks, one for each nation.  You will submit the answers to the questions along with your report.  Some of the questions in each portfolio are the same, but will be answered differently depending upon the point of view.

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Kashmiri people and groups affected by the conflict between India and Pakistan.

 Kashmir Portfolio

1. Why is Kashmir so important to Pakistan and India?
2. What parts of the Simla Agreement are applicable to the current conflict?
3. Why is the location of the Line of Control significant?
4. How do the differences between the majority religions in India and Pakistan contribute to the conflict between them?
5. What did past disputes over Kashmir have in common?
6. What do the Kashmiris want: to be a part of Pakistan or a part of India?
7. Why did previous attempts at peace fail?
8. Why are India and Pakistan enemies when they were once one country?
9. Why do Kashmiris want a plebiscite? Do they really want a plebiscite?
10. What are the implications of recent nuclear testing and nuclear capability for the crisis in South Asia?

Internet Sites for Kashmir

·        Jammu and Kashmir
The sites got everything you ever wanted to know about Kashmir in the form of photographs and reports from a variety of sources.

·        The Simla Agreement
Review the terms of the agreement signed by India and Pakistan after the 1971 war over Kashmir.

·        Indo-Pak Relations
The site's got it all: news reports, opinion and analysis. You can read proposals for positive steps to reach a solution and improve relations.

·        Don't forget to get ideas from
Pakistan-India Relations: The Way Ahead

·        The Official Site of Pakistani Government
It's got news, basic facts, religion, history, Kargil Special, and news of Kashmir.

·        Kashmir
Want to know it all? The sites going to deliver. Facts, opinions, reports, resolutions, pacts, agreements, articles, research, discussions, and further links on the Kashmir issue all in one place.  What more could you ask for?

·        Subcontinent Sees a Light
Examines leadership, conflicts and steps toward peace.

·        Pakistan-India Relations and the Kashmir Dispute
The main and loudest opponent to Pakistan's withdrawal to their side of the Line of Control. The Jamaat-e-Islami are the biggest supporters of the mujahideen fighting in Kashmir.

·        Discover India
This is the official Indian government website with links to nuclear policy, India at the U.N., a country profile, and foreign relations.
Pakistan's Sharif meets with military over Kashmir
This very useful site from CNN has links to perspectives of Pakistan, India, and Kashmir.

Pakistan Portfolio

Use the Internet information linked below to answer questions specifically related to people affected by the conflict between India and Pakistan.

1. Why is Kashmir so important to Pakistan and India?
2. What parts of the Simla Agreement are applicable to the current conflict?
3. What is the relationship between the majority religious differences and the continuing disagreement?
4. What did past disputes over Kashmir have in common?
5. Why did previous attempts at peace fail?
6. Why are India and Pakistan enemies when they were once one country?
7. What might be possible next steps by the Indian military?
8. What are the implications of recent nuclear testing and nuclear capability for the crisis in South Asia?

Internet Sites for Pakistan

• The Simla Agreement
  Review the terms of the agreement signed by India and Pakistan after the 1971 war over Kashmir.

• Indo-Pak Relations
  The site's got it all: news reports, opinion and analysis. You can read proposals for positive steps to reach a solution and improve relations.
• Don't forget to get ideas from
  Pakistan-India Relations: The Way Ahead
• The Official Site of Pakistani Government
  It's got news, basic facts, religion, history, Kargil Special, and news of Kashmir.
• Kashmir
  Want to know it all? The sites going to deliver. Facts, opinions, reports, resolutions, pacts, agreements, articles, research, discussions, and further links on the Kashmir issue all in one place. What more could you ask for?
• Pakistan Link
  There are many stories on the site which describe the peace efforts and history of the conflict.
• Building Trust in South Asia
  A leading Pakistani newspaper provides insight. This paper is worth searching for more well-written and intelligent analysis.
• Subcontinent Sees a Light
  Examines leadership, conflicts and steps toward peace.
• Pakistan-India Relations and the Kashmir Dispute
  The main and loudest opponent to Pakistan's withdrawal to their side of the Line of Control. The Jamaat-e-Islami are the biggest supporters of the mujahideen fighting in Kashmir.
• India-Pakistan
  Contains everything you want to know about Pakistan! Check out the "View from Pakistan." Includes data from air defense reports and the Pakistani government.
• Pakistan's Sharif meets with military over Kashmir
• This very useful site from CNN has links to perspectives of Pakistan, India, and Kashmir.

India Portfolio

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Indian people and groups affected by the conflict between India and Pakistan.

1. Why is Kashmir so important to Pakistan and India?
2. What parts of the Simla Agreement are applicable to the current conflict?
3. What did past disputes over Kashmir have in common?
4. Why did previous attempts at peace fail?
5. Why are India and Pakistan enemies when they were once one country?
6. What might be possible next steps by the Indian military?
7. What are the implications of recent nuclear testing and nuclear capability for the crisis in South Asia?

Internet Sites for India 

·        India-Pakistan
Contains everything you want to know about India! Check out the "View from India." Includes data from the Indian military and the wars of 1965 and 1971. See the Kashmir crisis from India's point of view.

·        The Simla Agreement
Review the terms of the agreement signed by India and Pakistan after the 1971 war over Kashmir.

·        Dateline Kargil
India Today will give you the Indian perspective on Kashmir through a visual documentary, an animated account and complete news coverage.

·        Indo-Pak Relations
The site's got it all: news reports, opinion and analysis. You can read proposals for positive steps to reach a solution and improve relations.

·        Don't forget to get ideas from
Pakistan-India Relations: The Way Ahead

·        Subcontinent Sees a Light
Examines leadership, conflicts and steps toward peace.

·        Discover India
This is the official Indian government website with links to nuclear policy, India at the U.N., a country profile, and foreign relations. Here you will focus on
Kargil  When you have finished the three sets of questions its now time to work on your Peace Proposal

Consider the following questions as you organize your thoughts: 

• What are the similarities and differences in the perspectives of each of the three involved?
• Can you separate fact from opinion?  Who is lying and who is telling the truth?
• What assumptions or conclusions can be made about the history of the region?
• What relationships are found between the various viewpoints?
• What do you propose as an alternative to war?

Yes, you're right!

This is not easy; but, that's because the situation and the quest(ions) are real.

Once you have researched these questions and arrived at a good solution (because you are the expert), you will be ready to tell the world!   Your presentation may use visual support and be a minimum of 500 words.  You can use the link below to draft your response.

How would you design a lasting peace agreement between India and Pakistan?

• Thesis Builder
• http://ozline.com/electraguide/thesis.html
• Essay Template

http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Lincoln_HS/Burleson/Lessons/WW2/EssayTemplate.rtf