Churchill’s views on British rule & Independence in India c1919-1947

What does "imperial grandeur / prestige" mean?

Glory and status — where India gave Britain wealth, soldiers, trade, global respect. India was the core foundation of the British Empire. Losing India = losing Britain’s greatness.

What was Kipling’s 1897 “recessional” poem about?

Stated that Britain becoming more arrogant and forgetting its moral duties would lead to the downfall of the empire.

Reminding Churchill that empire without justice doesn’t last.

Kipling believed Britain should rule fairly not through terror or cruelty otherwise it would loose its respect and eventually lose control.

How did Kipling's poem in 1897 "Recessional" influence Churchill?

It warned that empires can fall

Churchill feared if Britain lost India, it would fade away — so he fought to keep control.

Churchill's view on India's national and political unity

He asserted that India was merely a geographical concept with no more political or national unity than the Equator. Not a nation to divided (religion, language, culture) to govern itself.

What did Churchill say about Hindus and Muslims?

Feared Hindu majority would dominate and oppress Muslims. Claimed British rule was needed to keep peace and protect minorities from unfair treatment.

Who are the Untouchables?

The lowest social group in Indian society — excluded, treated as "unclean", kept from schools/temples. Churchill said abandoning India would leave them at the mercy of higher castes.

Who did Churchill mean by "Brahmins"?

The highest Hindu caste. He claimed they would seize power and oppress everyone else — said handing India to them was "cruel and wicked negligence".

What did the 1917 War Cabinet say about Indians ruling themselves?

Estimated it would take 500 years before Indians were ready. This was basically an excuse to never give real independence.

What two strands of resistance existed?

1) Educated elite — Congress Party (founded 1885), asked for more political say; 2) Wider mass population — from 1920s Gandhi brought in ordinary people → protests, boycotts, non-cooperation.

How did Gandhi change the congress in the 1920s?

Started as rich/educated only → he united rich and poor into one mass movement of all classes. Demands grew: greater autonomy → full independence. Used peaceful protests, boycotts, strikes — no violence.

What happened? In the Jallianwala Bagh - 1919

-Known as the Amritsar Massacre

April 1919 — General Dyer banned public meetings. 10,000+ gathered peacefully. Dyer blocked exits, ordered fire → 379 killed, ~1,200 wounded. Only stopped when ammunition ran out.

What was Churchill's reaction to the Jallianwala Bagh in 1919?

Condemned it in Parliament — called it "monstrous, singular and sinister". Said it was un-British. BUT still opposed Indian independence.

Did everyone agree with Churchill?

No — pro-imperialist newspaper raised £26,000 for Dyer. Many Brits saw him as a hero who prevented rebellion.

What was the massacre's biggest result?

Turning point — millions of Indians joined the independence movement. Trust in Britain destroyed forever.

What was British policy towards India 1917–1935?

"A halting but never reversed succession of gestures" — small, slow, partial moves toward self-rule → never enough → Indians lost patience and demanded full freedom.

What were the Rowlatt Acts? 1919

Also called the "Black Act":

• Political cases → no jury trial (only a one British Offical)

• Suspects → prison without trial

• Press → censored / restricted

→ Gandhi launched peaceful satyagraha protests.

What was the Montagu-Chelmsford Act? / Government of India act 1919

Gave provincial governments (local Indian councils) more autonomy over education, health, agriculture. BUT Britain kept control of army, taxes, foreign policy. Still Too little, too late.

How did people react to the 1919 changes?

British conservatives → too much power given away 😤

Indians → just scraps, not real freedom 😡

→ No one was satisfied.