1. A world of two blocs and the meaning of non-alignment
- After 1945 the USA led a western bloc (military alliance NATO, 1949) and the USSR an eastern bloc (the Warsaw Pact, 1955).
- Non-alignment: joining neither military bloc, following an independent foreign policy, deciding each question on its merits, and keeping friendly ties with all.
- It is not neutrality (standing aside) and not isolation (cutting off contact).
| Non-alignment is | Non-alignment is not |
|---|---|
| Staying out of both military blocs | Joining either the western or the eastern alliance |
| An independent foreign policy | Following one superpower's lead |
| Judging each issue on its merits | Silence on world issues (neutrality) |
| Friendship and trade with all | Cutting off contact (isolation) |
Key terms
- Non-alignment
A policy of staying out of both Cold War military blocs while taking an active, independent part in world affairs.
- Bloc
A group of states tied together by a military alliance under a leading power.
2. Why new nations chose it, and its objectives
- New nations of Asia and Africa wanted to keep their freedom, avoid being drawn into others' wars, and spend on development.
- Objectives: protect independence; end colonialism and imperialism; oppose racial discrimination such as apartheid; promote peace, disarmament and peaceful coexistence; seek development and a fairer world economic order; strengthen the United Nations.
| Objective | In practice |
|---|---|
| Protect independence | No military pacts with either bloc |
| End colonialism and imperialism | Support for freedom movements in Asia and Africa |
| Oppose racial discrimination | Repeated condemnation of apartheid in South Africa |
| Peace and disarmament | Calls to end the nuclear arms race |
| Development and fair trade | Demand for a fairer world economic order |
| Strengthen the United Nations | Use it as a forum for small states |
Key terms
- Apartheid
The system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa.
- Disarmament
Reducing or ending stocks of weapons, especially nuclear weapons.
3. Panchsheel
- Meaning: five principles of peaceful coexistence between states.
- First set out: in the agreement between India and China of 29 April 1954.
- Link: the idea fitted India's wish to be friendly with all; it was taken up at Bandung (1955) and guided the non-aligned countries.
- The five principles are shown in the deck for understanding only; they are not tested.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What does the word mean? | Five principles |
| What do they stand for? | Peaceful coexistence between states |
| Where first set out? | India–China agreement, 29 April 1954 |
| The five, for understanding only | Respect for each other's territory and sovereignty; non-aggression; non-interference in internal affairs; equality and mutual benefit; peaceful coexistence |
Key terms
- Peaceful coexistence
States with different political systems living side by side without war or interference.
4. Bandung and Belgrade
- Bandung, Indonesia (April 1955): an Asian–African conference that spoke for peace and against colonialism.
- Brioni (1956): talks between Nehru, Tito and Nasser.
- Belgrade, Yugoslavia (September 1961): the first summit; about 25 member countries; the movement founded.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When and where? | September 1961, Belgrade, Yugoslavia |
| How many members? | About 25 countries |
| What it did | Founded the Non-Aligned Movement as a continuing group |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When and where? | April 1955, Bandung, Indonesia |
| Who met? | Newly free countries of Asia and Africa |
| What they stood for | Peace, peaceful coexistence, an end to colonialism |
Key terms
- Summit
A meeting of heads of state or government.
5. Nehru and the architects
- Architects usually named: Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia), Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt), Sukarno (Indonesia), Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana).
- Nehru: made non-alignment the basis of India's foreign policy from 1947; set out Panchsheel with China; took part at Bandung; co-founded the movement at Belgrade.
- India's reasons: keep its freedom of judgement; peace and money for development; aid from both sides; leadership of Asian and African states against colonialism.
| Architect | Country |
|---|---|
| Jawaharlal Nehru | India |
| Josip Broz Tito | Yugoslavia |
| Gamal Abdel Nasser | Egypt |
| Sukarno | Indonesia |
| Kwame Nkrumah | Ghana |
Key terms
- Architect (of a movement)
A leader who helped plan and build it.
6. The movement after the Cold War
- The Cold War ended around 1991; the movement continued to meet.
- Members use it as a common platform for developing countries on development, fair trade and reform of world bodies.
- Dated note: the movement had about 120 member states, as of 2024; no question tests this figure.
| After about 1991 | What members still sought |
|---|---|
| The two blocs no longer faced each other | A shared voice for developing countries |
| New problems rose to the top | Development, fair trade and reform of world bodies |
| The movement kept meeting | Peace and cooperation among members |
Key terms
- Developing countries
Countries with lower incomes that are working to grow their economies.
Exam tips
Common mistakes
- Calling non-alignment neutrality or isolation.
- Dating the first summit to 1955 (that was Bandung); Belgrade was 1961.
- Mixing up Tito (Yugoslavia) and Nasser (Egypt).
- Writing that Nehru founded the movement alone.
- Listing Panchsheel's principles in an answer that asks only for its meaning.
How marks are usually awarded
- 1-mark items: one correct option or term.
- 2 marks: two distinct points.
- 10-mark questions in 3 + 3 + 4 parts: one point per mark; the 4-mark part often asks you to explain or evaluate.