The 1971 War and the Making of Bangladesh

The war of 1971 in the Indian sub-continent was significant geopolitically because it led to the creation of Bangladesh. In so doing, it once again partitioned the subcontinent, altered the balance of power between India and Pakistan, and ended systematic oppression in Bangladesh. The course explores international events and the Cold War calculations that, first, led to the conflict, and second, resulted in the breakup of Pakistan and the liberation of Bangladesh. The course will use visuals, publicly available primary and secondary sources, and recently published scholarship.