CNN.com - Examine the Kashmir conflict

(CNN Student News) -- Ever since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, India and Pakistan have been bitter rivals. During the last 57 years, they have fought three wars, and two of them were over the disputed region of Kashmir. Students will use this activity to learn about the history of Indian-Pakistani relations and the disputed territory of Kashmir.

Procedure

Divide students into groups, and have each group conduct research using online and print resources to learn about the history and significance of the conflict between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region. Pose the following questions to guide students' research:

Why is Kashmir a disputed territory?

Why is control of Kashmir so important to both sides?

How dangerous is the Kashmir dispute?

To what extent does the geography of Kashmir play a role in the regional conflict?

Who are the Kashmir militants?

To what extent does religion play a role in the conflict over Kashmir?

What key military events have taken place in Kashmir since 1947?

What is the Line of Control?

What is the U.N.'s involvement in the region?

After groups present their findings, point out that since the devastating October 8 earthquake, Pakistan and India have found that they have new "common ground." The nations have been working together to help those in the Kashmir region recover from the quake, and there have been signs that tensions between these countries are easing. Then, ask students:

To what extent, if any, do you think that the October 8 earthquake will impact the course of the Kashmir conflict?

In your view, how likely is it that India and Pakistan could go to war again over Kashmir?

Correlated Standards

Following the discussion, have your students conduct a mock session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss what steps, if any, should be taken to maintain and foster future cooperation between India and Pakistan.

Historical Understanding

Standard 2: Understands the historical perspective

Level IV [Grade: 9-12]

Benchmark 5: Understands that the consequences of human intentions are influenced by the means of carrying them out.

McREL: Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education (Copyright 2000 McREL) is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) ( ), 2550 S. Parker Road, Suite 500, Aurora, CO 80014.

World History

Standard 43. Understands how post-World War II reconstruction occurred, new international power relations took shape, and colonial empires broke up

Level IV [Grade: 9-12]

Benchmark 3. Understands reasons for the division of the Indian subcontinent (e.g., events that led to the dispute over Kashmir and the resulting partition of the Indian subcontinent, and the role of the United Nations in the mediation of the dispute; how the withdrawal of the British and the division between Muslims and Hindus affected the division of the Indian subcontinent into two nations)

Standard 44. Understands the search for community, stability, and peace in an interdependent world

Level IV [Grade: 9-12]

Benchmark 10. Understands the effectiveness of United Nations programs (e.g., improvements in health and welfare, whether UN programs have been cost-effective, whether programs fulfilled the purpose for which they were created, reasons for economic and arms embargoes sponsored by U.N. resolutions and the political and economic consequences for the sanctioned countries)

McREL: Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education (Copyright 2000 McREL) is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) ( ), 2550 S. Parker Road, Suite 500, Aurora, CO 80014.

Keywords

Kashmir, India, Pakistan, conflict, earthquake, United Nations, nuclear weapons

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