India: Gandhi and the Road to Independence
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Transcript of India: Gandhi and the Road to Independence
INDIA IN THE FIRST HALF OF
THE 20TH CENTURY:
from imperial gem to
independence and partition
References:References:Text: pp 238 - 241Handbook: pp 61 - 62Handout (old text - Howarth): pp 71 - 72, 202 - 204, (295 - 298: 1947-1990)
Amritsar, 1919 Partition, 1947Muslim League Civil DisobedienceIndian National CongressSatyagrahaSalt March, 1930 Gov of India Act, 1935Home SpunHartal
Text: pp 238 - 241Handbook: pp 61 - 62Handout (old text - Howarth): pp 71 - 72, 202 - 204, (295 - 298: 1947-1990)
Amritsar, 1919 Partition, 1947Muslim League Civil DisobedienceIndian National CongressSatyagrahaSalt March, 1930 Gov of India Act, 1935Home SpunHartal
Initial Organizers (so what?)Initial Organizers (so what?)
India was the “most truly bright and precious jewel” in the Empire’s crown.
For the essayist, one of two examples of a pacifistic revolution in the 20th century (in contrast to violent revolutions).
Example of a charismatic leader who gained attention on the world stage and brought political pressure to bear.
Shows the contrast between British and French post-war policies towards their colonies.
India was the “most truly bright and precious jewel” in the Empire’s crown.
For the essayist, one of two examples of a pacifistic revolution in the 20th century (in contrast to violent revolutions).
Example of a charismatic leader who gained attention on the world stage and brought political pressure to bear.
Shows the contrast between British and French post-war policies towards their colonies.
Mohandas “Mahatma”GandhiMohandas “Mahatma”Gandhi
Born in IndiaEducated in England
Practiced law in South Africa
Born in IndiaEducated in England
Practiced law in South AfricaAmbulance worker during the Boer War, 1898
Civil disobedience in opposition to Brit indentured labour laws = success
400 Years of Colonial Rule400 Years of Colonial RuleBritish East India Co. (Eliz. I) 1600 Indian War of Indep. (Indian Mutiny) 1857-58 -
the Raj comes out on topBritish xenophobia from 1850s on.
British East India Co. (Eliz. I) 1600 Indian War of Indep. (Indian Mutiny) 1857-58 -
the Raj comes out on topBritish xenophobia from 1850s on.
Indian National Congress (the Congress Party)Indian National Congress (the Congress Party)
Formed by middle class Indians in 1885 Nationalist
Hindu-dominated, but Large Muslim minority Used non-violent resistance (satyagraha)
Disobey laws Don’t pay taxes Strikes Fasts Gatherings/demonstrations/marches
Formed by middle class Indians in 1885 Nationalist
Hindu-dominated, but Large Muslim minority Used non-violent resistance (satyagraha)
Disobey laws Don’t pay taxes Strikes Fasts Gatherings/demonstrations/marches
hartal
1919…1919… Large numbers of Indians sent overseas w/o
consultation. 1919 Indians call for Home Rule (inside of the British
Empire - ie. British system not seen as all bad). 1919 Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms = dyarchy (p 61,
Handbook)
BUT 3 EVENTS CLOUDED INDIAN GOODWILL: Rowlatt Acts 1919 Indians rights suspended = no Habeas
Corpus (right to go before a judge with a charge). Emergence of Gandhi who sees constitutional challenge
useless. And Amritsar Massacre – more on that in a minute
So…
Large numbers of Indians sent overseas w/o consultation.
1919 Indians call for Home Rule (inside of the British Empire - ie. British system not seen as all bad).
1919 Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms = dyarchy (p 61, Handbook)
BUT 3 EVENTS CLOUDED INDIAN GOODWILL: Rowlatt Acts 1919 Indians rights suspended = no Habeas
Corpus (right to go before a judge with a charge). Emergence of Gandhi who sees constitutional challenge
useless. And Amritsar Massacre – more on that in a minute
So…
1919…1919…
Congress Party calls for “Hartal” = non-violent boycott of all Raj-sponsored institutions (including the army) and goods/services (especially clothing).
However…rioting showed Indians not ready, so hartal ends. But…
Congress Party calls for “Hartal” = non-violent boycott of all Raj-sponsored institutions (including the army) and goods/services (especially clothing).
However…rioting showed Indians not ready, so hartal ends. But…
1919…1919… 2 Congress Party leaders are arrested and taken
to unknown place. Protest in Amritsar, Punjab.
2 Congress Party leaders are arrested and taken to unknown place.
Protest in Amritsar, Punjab.
machine gun
1919…1919… 2 Congress Party leaders are arrested and taken
to unknown place. Protest in Amritsar, Punjab.
2 Congress Party leaders are arrested and taken to unknown place.
Protest in Amritsar, Punjab.
machine gun
1919…1919… 2 Congress Party leaders are arrested and taken
to unknown place. Protest in Amritsar, Punjab.
2 Congress Party leaders are arrested and taken to unknown place.
Protest in Amritsar, Punjab.
machine gun
Reaction in India and Britain is swift:Reaction in India and Britain is swift:Churchill condemns General Dyer in the
Commons.A few years of periodic revolts/violence in
India follows in spite of Gandhi’s call for Muslims and Hindus to unite in satyagraha.
Call for Hindu-Muslim unity + Gandhi calls for all to reject the caste system that divides - ex. He called the Untouchables Harijans: “Children of God.”
Some very bloody events…..
Churchill condemns General Dyer in the Commons.
A few years of periodic revolts/violence in India follows in spite of Gandhi’s call for Muslims and Hindus to unite in satyagraha.
Call for Hindu-Muslim unity + Gandhi calls for all to reject the caste system that divides - ex. He called the Untouchables Harijans: “Children of God.”
Some very bloody events…..
Reaction, cont.Reaction, cont.
Gandhi said Indians must not fight back, even if beaten by police.
1922 15 Indian policemen hacked up after rough arrests - tensions boil over.
Gandhi 21 day fast unto death - nationalists stop to save Gandhi!
Gandhi still jailed for sedition even though he single-handedly stopped anarchistic revolt.
Gandhi said Indians must not fight back, even if beaten by police.
1922 15 Indian policemen hacked up after rough arrests - tensions boil over.
Gandhi 21 day fast unto death - nationalists stop to save Gandhi!
Gandhi still jailed for sedition even though he single-handedly stopped anarchistic revolt.
Flag of Indian independence: 1920s Non-Cooperation Movement
Still within the Empire?
Homespun, or khadi
Homespun, or khadi
The Salt March The Salt March 19301930
On Feb 15 the Congress
Working Committee authorized
civil disobedience “as and when
they desire and to the extent they
see fit.”
12 March - 6 April: Every day there were speeches as he made his way to the ocean:
“Every day people tell me, ‘Today you will certainly be arrested.’ However, the tiger does not appear!”
“In all humility but in perfect truth I claim that if we attain our end through non-violent means
India will have delivered a message to the world.
ARRESTS: the march was not obstructed but…
ARRESTS: the march was not obstructed but…
• 6 April: Gandhi’s ceremonial harvest on beach at Dandi.
• 13 April: Nehru + delegates arrested.• 5 May: Gandhi arrested at Salt Works.• 26 January, 1931: Gandhi released.
4 March, 1931 Gandhi-Irwin Pact signed based on round-table discussions in London.
Illegal Salt Sales: 60,000 imprisoned in
the first month.Some protesters
shot but also some Indian Army
soldiers refused to shoot when
ordered.(like the Tsar’s Cossaks?
• First taste of democratic self-government.
• Full control of the 11 provinces to the Indians.
• Central government still shared power with the British. Tension between the Congress and the Muslim League.
(Free Indian Legion)
Nationalism during WW2:(Free Indian Legion)
Nationalism during WW2:
Subhash Chandra Bose’s violent methods
vs. Gandhi’s pacifism
Flag of the Indian National
Army
FREE
INDIA
Bose’s Provisional Govt of Free India
Bose’s Provisional Govt of Free India
• Established in Singapore in 1943.• Anti-racist and anti-imperial (hmmm, how does that fit
within the Japanese Asia for the Asians?• Why would Britain (and India) attempt to censor news
of the resulting 1946 mutiny trials?• The Indian Navy (and then other units) started to
oppose these trials
The British decide the Indian military cannot be trusted - it’s time to get out whether they like it or not.
And how about the Congress?And how about the Congress?• Refused to support Brit war effort (not even with promise of Dominion
status)
“a post-dated cheque from a crashing bank.” Gandhi
• Why wouldn’t Gandhi trust a govt led by Churchill? “I have not become His Majesty’s first minister in order to preside over the dissolution of the
British Empire” Churchill = Quit India slogan.
• Clement Attlee sees India as a political liability:
£ + casualties = not re-elected.
Post WW2Gandhi wanted to keep India together.
Aug 1946: riots speed up transfer of power and Viceroy Mountbatten initiates conferences - time is short: the bloodshed must be curbed.
Ali Jinnah will get his “Land of the Pure.” The Sihks and Hindus will share India. Individual provinces will vote to discover
their nation of choice.
Gandhi wanted to keep India together.
Aug 1946: riots speed up transfer of power and Viceroy Mountbatten initiates conferences - time is short: the bloodshed must be curbed.
Ali Jinnah will get his “Land of the Pure.” The Sihks and Hindus will share India. Individual provinces will vote to discover
their nation of choice.
ALI JINNAH
NEHRU
GANDHI
Aug 14, 1947: Pakistan is independentAug 15: 1947: India is independent
1971: Pakistan was split
Nam
e Changes O
ccurred
Bangladesh Myanmar
Sri Lanka
Partition brought Violence and Turmoil:Some states were ruled by princes, not the
British - some were large!Slaughters took place where ethnic groups
were “out of their territory.”1.5 million refugees.
Some states were ruled by princes, not the British - some were large!
Slaughters took place where ethnic groups were “out of their territory.”
1.5 million refugees.
RRefugees
Gandhi’s worst fears were realized - he went to Calcutta to try to stop reprisals by Hindus against Muslims.
He was killed by an extremist Hindu:
thank goodness it wasn’t a Muslim!
“Gandhi has been killed by his own people for whose redemption he lived….Father forgive us.” Hindustan Standard, Feb 1, 1947
Gandhi Killed Jan 30, 1948
Considerations:Considerations:
• Peaceful civil disobedience vs. violent revolution• Role of nationalism• Charismatic leadership• World opinion - domestic political pressure• Imperial nations unburdening themselves• Vacuum created by decolonization• Ethnic cleansing• Partition
end
Use these key words to write a concise 75-word summary:Use these key words to write a concise 75-word summary:
Muslim League Salt March, 1930
Indian National CongressGov of India Act, 1935
Amritsar, 1919 Partition, 1947
Home Rule
Montagu-Chelmsford
Civil Disobedience
Satyagraha
Hartal
Home Spun