GEOPOLITICS OF ARMED CONFLICTS

WHAT IS GEOPOLITICS OF ARMED CONFLICTS?• Two or more armed factions seeking to

gain control over governmental powers, territory or natural resources

• Often in states that cannot afford it• Africa and Asia 75% of the armed

conflicts in 2000• Africa and Middle East were considered

to be the most war-torn regions

BRAINSTORMBrainstorm reasons why conflicts could arise?• Gain control over government, territory, natural resources• Different cultural outlooks• Different religions• Opposing views of government• Ethnic groups forming a homeland

CONFLICTSIn groups, present ideas of why conflicts can arise in these different categories:

• Culture• Religion• Natural Resources• Territory

CULTURAL CONFLICTS Definition: When indigenous peoples are in conflict with the national government

• Seek to preserve their language• Seek to preserve way of life• Demand compensation for land lost during colonization • Demand to fulfill treaties• Demand greater Political Autonomy

CULTURAL CONFLICTS IN CANADALanguage - Bilingualism • Official Language Act 1969

- This act allowed the protection of both English and French languages and guarantee that both of these languages are available at the federal level.

The Battle for Aboriginal Treaty Rights• It's a battle over the land and its resources. The fight has taken

place on the land, in the courts and in the media. When government and native groups signed treaty agreements over a century ago, neither side imagined the repercussions. Canada's native people say treaties have been ignored and their rights — from logging trees to fishing eels — have been limited.

• http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/society/native-issues/the-battle-for-aboriginal-treaty-rights/topic-the-battle-for-aboriginal-treaty-rights.html

CULTURAL CONFLICTS IN CHIAPAS, MEXICO

CULTURAL CONFLICTS IN CHIAPAS, MEXICOREAD P. 352-353

Describe Chiapas, Mexico

What did the indigenous people want?

Describe the conflict? Timeline of Events

What was the end result?

DESCRIBE CHIAPAS- Rich natural resources- Large Oil Reserves- Cattle ranching- Hydro Electricity power- Agricultural

WHAT DID THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WANT?- Indigenous Mayan wanted to benefit from wealth of the state- Removal of the feudal system that has denied them from their

own land.- Protect/encourage culture- Use their own language in schools and in broadcasting- More representation in federal government - Greater autonomy governing their own affairs- Wanted more say in NAFTA (North American Free Trade

Agreement)

DESCRIBE THE CONFLICT- TIMELINE OF EVENTS?

• Chiapas formed rebel groups called Zapatista Army of National Liberation

• January 1, 1994: Armed Uprising of 12 days- 150 people were killed

• 1996: Peace Agreements- none were implemented by the government

• Internet: “First Post-Modern Revolution”• Websites all around the world

RESULTS• December 2000: President Vincente Fox renewed talk • Watered-down version of the bill – state legislation had

the final authority on deciding which customs should be law

• Gave Mayans preference to the decisions, but not full autonomy

• Zapatistas rejected new agreement • Still, in a state of declared war "against the Mexican state"

though this war has been primarily nonviolent and defensive

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFfpQEnrIAw 2:54