Indian Independence9.1-9.2

Growing Unrest In 1919, new laws from Britain

Limited freedom of the press and other rights

Protested by nationalists Five British officials killed in

protests

British General Reginald Dyer banned all public gatherings to combat protests

NO PUBLIC GATHERSINGS!-

Amritsar Massacre April 13, 1919 10,000+ Nationalists gather to defy orders

of Dyer’s orders- Amritsar General Dyer- FIRE

Some shot, others trampled

379 killed, more than 1,100 wounded

Amritsar Massacre

Massacre deepened distrust between British and Indians Led to increased violence Made more Indians call for complete separation

Moving Toward Independence WWII broke out in 1939,

and Britain became involved Indians had no desire to

assist Britain in this war Indian National Council

refused to support war unless they were granted immediate independence

Britain refused such commands

Moving Towards Independence This refusal caused the “Quit

India” movement Supported by Gandhi and other

members of the INC Urged Indians to follow a policy of

non-cooperation and civil disobedience with British

More than 20,000 members arrested

By 1945- Britain could not keep India after the war

Conflict between whom? What two groups have had the most conflict

in Indian history? Who wanted a separate country?

The Subcontinent Divided 1946- rioting spread

between Hindus and Muslims

1947- Britain passes the Indian Independence Act Ended British rule in India

Subcontinent divided into two separate countries India and Pakistan

The Subcontinent Divided This partition led to an explosion of violence Why riot? What happens to Muslims and Hindus in

each country? Gandhi refused to celebrate India’s

independence on August 15, 1947 One year later, he was assassinated

India’s Government India’s constitution created a federal system They became a Parliamentary Democracy

Based on British form of government President is head of state- has little power

Two houses of Parliament The Rajya Sabha- Council of State The Lok Sabha- House of the People

India’s Government India has more than 12

national political parties Parties represent the

interests of different caste, language, religious or regional groups

The Bharata Janata Party dominates Parliament now

Dividing and Unifying Forces The population of India has more than

doubled since independence Poverty and illiteracy are still widespread despite

government attempts to change that

The caste system is still a dividing force Untouchability made illegal

Effects still felt

Dividing and Unifying Forces Cultural Diversity

Language and ethnic groups want their own countries

Sikh Separatism Religious minority in India Blends Islam and Hinduism

One God and rejects caste system 1984- Sikh extremists occupy Golden Temple, refuse

to leave Government ordered attack- many Sikhs killed

More Hindu- Muslim Clashes Many Muslims had fled to

Pakistan Some did remain

Clash over mosque in Ayodhya Hindus claim birthplace of the god

Rama 1992- Hindus attack mosque

Hundreds killed from both religions 2002- Plan to build Hindu temple

sparked bloody rebellion and more than 600 Indians killed

Unifying Forces Despite all of the bad, there is a

commitment to Democratic traditions Also, common faith of many Indians-

Hinduism Modern communications and strong

leaders also unifies India

India’s Leaders Jawaharlal Nehru led

India for 17 years after independence Wanted to make India

modern industrial nation Hoped to create a casteless,

secular India No official religion

Set up programs for schools and economic development

India’s Leaders Indira Gandhi

Nehru’s Daughter Elected Prime Minister in 1966 1975- tried to jail opponents and limit some

freedoms Forced to return to democratic rule

1984- ordered troops to storm the Golden Temple Who was there?

1984- assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards because of her actions at the Golden Temple

Rajiv Gandhi elected Prime Minister after his mother’s death

Murdered by a group of Tamil Tigers in nearby Sri Lanka