The Government of The Government of India Act 1919India Act 1919IB Higher Level HistoryIB Higher Level History

Learning ObjectiveLearning Objective

To what extent did the First World War change To what extent did the First World War change Indian perceptions of Great Britain and how did Indian perceptions of Great Britain and how did these contribute to the passing of the these contribute to the passing of the Government of India Act of 1919?Government of India Act of 1919?

Changing Views:Impact Changing Views:Impact of Warof War

British war effort supported greatly (even British war effort supported greatly (even Ghandi!)Ghandi!)

Indian eyes opened in the dirt and mud of Indian eyes opened in the dirt and mud of FlandersFlanders

Were Europeans really civilised/superior?Were Europeans really civilised/superior?

Incompetence of British leadership during the Incompetence of British leadership during the battles in Mesopotamia battles in Mesopotamia

Agitation for reformAgitation for reformMutinies in 1914-15; Ghadr movementMutinies in 1914-15; Ghadr movement

Home rule leagues (not including defence and Home rule leagues (not including defence and foreign policy) Annie Besent/Tilak “freedom foreign policy) Annie Besent/Tilak “freedom without separation”without separation”

Besant/Tilak’s home rule league very Besant/Tilak’s home rule league very successful initiallysuccessful initially

Ultimately failed BUT with consequences as it Ultimately failed BUT with consequences as it had created the first truly national mass had created the first truly national mass campaigncampaign

Lucknow Act 1916Lucknow Act 1916

At the Congress meeting of December 1916 in At the Congress meeting of December 1916 in Lucknow, a historic agreement was reached Lucknow, a historic agreement was reached between the predominantly Hindu Congress between the predominantly Hindu Congress and the AU-India Muslim League. The so-called and the AU-India Muslim League. The so-called Lucknovv Pact covered not only a broad Lucknovv Pact covered not only a broad statement of political objective but also the statement of political objective but also the precise details of future electorates, once India precise details of future electorates, once India was self-governing.was self-governing.

The Montagu The Montagu declaration 1917declaration 1917

““The increasing association of Indians in every The increasing association of Indians in every branch of the administration and the gradual branch of the administration and the gradual development of self-governing institutions with development of self-governing institutions with a view to the progressive realisation of a view to the progressive realisation of responsible government in India as part of the responsible government in India as part of the British Empire.”British Empire.”

Wilson strikes (again)Wilson strikes (again)

President VVoodrow Wilson President VVoodrow Wilson

Fourteen Points of international policy. Fourteen Points of international policy.

These included the right of peoples to These included the right of peoples to independent nationhood. independent nationhood.

Applying this principle to the British Empire Applying this principle to the British Empire would mean the end for the British in India.would mean the end for the British in India.

Making matters worse, the British agreed to the Making matters worse, the British agreed to the creation of Iraq after WW1. Why support arab creation of Iraq after WW1. Why support arab nationalism and not Indian?nationalism and not Indian?

Post-War InsecurityPost-War Insecurity

Defence of India Act (1915): Unlimited detention Defence of India Act (1915): Unlimited detention without trial, trial without jury, and the use of without trial, trial without jury, and the use of evidence normally not allowedevidence normally not allowed

Fear of Communism/other subversive forcesFear of Communism/other subversive forces

Rowlatt Act permits closing down of Rowlatt Act permits closing down of newspapers etc and use of Defence of India newspapers etc and use of Defence of India powerspowers

A potential dictatorship by any other nameA potential dictatorship by any other name

The Beginning of the The Beginning of the End:Amritsar MassacreEnd:Amritsar Massacre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hgRLqBZuMQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hgRLqBZuMQ

Result? Government of Result? Government of India Act 1919India Act 1919

self-government in the futureself-government in the future

changes to councils and electorate:Elected changes to councils and electorate:Elected members now in majority and franchise members now in majority and franchise extendedextended

division of governmental responsibilities-division of governmental responsibilities-dyarchy established. Matters transferred from dyarchy established. Matters transferred from central Indian government to provincial central Indian government to provincial administrationsadministrations

Now plan an essay to Now plan an essay to answer the learning answer the learning objectiveobjective

To what extent did the First World War change To what extent did the First World War change Indian perceptions of Great Britain and how did Indian perceptions of Great Britain and how did these contribute to the passing of the these contribute to the passing of the Government of India Act of 1919?Government of India Act of 1919?

Box Plan: Impact of Box Plan: Impact of WW1: on India dramaticWW1: on India dramatic

Initial enthusiasmInitial enthusiasm

British leadership failures e.g.: MesopotamiaBritish leadership failures e.g.: Mesopotamia

Discrediting of European civilizationDiscrediting of European civilization

Mutinies and high death toll (India gate for the War deadMutinies and high death toll (India gate for the War dead

Woodrow Wilson 14 points self-determinationWoodrow Wilson 14 points self-determination

Creation of Iraq-If good enough for Arabs, why not Indians?Creation of Iraq-If good enough for Arabs, why not Indians?

Home Rule movements: Besent/Tilak: ultimately a failure but a sign that Home Rule movements: Besent/Tilak: ultimately a failure but a sign that mass movements are now a key part of Indian politics and Indian mass movements are now a key part of Indian politics and Indian NationalismNationalism

•

Box Plan: Impact of WW1: British Box Plan: Impact of WW1: British Views of India also dramatic and Views of India also dramatic and equally importantequally important

Insecurity: Defense of India Act continued as the Insecurity: Defense of India Act continued as the Rowlett actRowlett act

Insecurity that would lead to later Amritsar Massacre Insecurity that would lead to later Amritsar Massacre which in turn would destroy faith in the Britishwhich in turn would destroy faith in the British

Fear of Communism after 1917Fear of Communism after 1917

Even though traditional enemy Russia has goneEven though traditional enemy Russia has gone

Opens the door to self governmentOpens the door to self government

Woodrow Wilson 14 points self-determination Woodrow Wilson 14 points self-determination contribute to insecuritycontribute to insecurity

Creation of IraqCreation of Iraq

Q1 How would you best Q1 How would you best summarize the impact of summarize the impact of WW1 on India?WW1 on India?

A)A) Changes to both British and Indian Changes to both British and Indian perceptionsperceptions

B)B) Loss of manpower and emotional impact of Loss of manpower and emotional impact of warwar

C)C) Development of first mass nationalist Development of first mass nationalist movements-homeroom movements-homeroom