PT3: Nationalism in India

Rowlatt Acts

• After WWI, Indian troops returned home upset that Britain didn't grant self-rule.

• Radical nationalists protested violently against British rule.

• The 1919 acts allowed Britain to jail anti-British protesters without trial for up to two years.

*What were the 2 groups that formed to rid India of foreign rule?

1. Hindu Indian National Congress or Congress Party.

2. Muslim League

-These groups worked together with the goal of independence from British.

*Nehru

-He succeeded Mohandas K. Gandhi as leader of the Indian National Congress. -negotiated the end of British colonial rule in India and became India's first prime minister (1947-1964).

How did the end of WWI stir Nationalism in India?

-Indians fought with the British in WWI.

-In return for their service, British government promised reforms that would eventually lead to self-rule.

-when they didn't keep their promise, Indians sought independence.

*Amritsar Massacre

In 1919, Hindus and Muslims gathered in Amritsar to protest the Rowlatt Acts with prayers and speeches.

The British saw it as defiance of their public meeting ban and opened fire on the crowd, injuring thousands.

*Mohandas K. Gandhi

-Leader of the Indian Independence Movement.

-Known as the "Great Soul"

-attracted millions of followers as he blended ideas of many religions with his politics.

-Goal was to achieve Indian self-rule through acts of Civil Disobedience.

Civil Disobedience

-Deliberate & public refusal to obey an unjust law.

-When British failed to punish the officers responsible for Amritsar Massacre, Gandhi urged noncooperation w/ British.

What are some of the examples of Civil Disobedience?

-Boycotts: Gandhi wanted Indians to refuse to buy goods, attend schools or pay British taxes. Urged citizens to make their own cloths to boycott British Cloth. As a result, sales dropped.

-Strikes & demonstrations: caused difficulty in keeping business, trains working.

-Salt March

*How did Gandhi's tactics of civil disobedience affect the British?

They lost money & had a hard time keeping trains running, factories operating & overcrowded jails from bursting.

*Salt March

-passive resistance campaign of Gandhi in response to the Salt Acts (tax on salt).

- Indians protested by marching to the sea to make their own salt by letting seawater evaporate.

What is imperialism?

Policy of extending a country’s power through diplomacy or military force

Why was India called “Jewel in the Crown”?

because of its valuable resources

British East India Company controlled India from ___ to ___

1757 to 1858

The EIC came for trade but later what happened?

they later controlled Indian territory

Why did the Sepoy Rebellion happen?

because Indian soliders were upset about cultural and religious

After what the British govt took direct control of India in 1958?

rebellion

What modern things did British build?

Railroads, canals, and telegraphs

Since the British were building modern things, why were the Indians suffering?

because they faced heavy taxation

Indians faced what 3 things during British rule?

economic exploitation, heavy taxation, and discrimination

The British forced Indians to grow ____ instead of food crops

cash crops

Cash crops

grown for profit rather than local consumption

Examples of cash crops

cotton, indigo, tea, jute, opium

What causes famines?

because food production declined

Great Bengal Famine (1770) killed

10 million ppl

The Bengal Famine (1943) killed

5 million ppl

Positive effects of British rule

• modernized transportation and communication

• improved healthcare and sanitation

• western-style education and legal system

Negative effects of British rule

• Indian industries like textiles were destroyed

• high taxes and cash crop farming led to famines

• Indians had limited control in govt

Indian Congress was founded in

1885

Muslim league was founded in

1906

What did Mahatma Gandhi lead?

a nonviolent resistance movement

Quit India Movement (1942)

Pressured the British to leave after 1942

Religious tensions between

Hindus and Muslims

What did Muhammad Ali Jinnah lead?

the demand for a Muslim-majority nation

British passed Indian Independence Act which

created the nations of India and Pakistan

What did Partition cause?

massive violence and over 1 million deaths

The conflict over Kashmir led to

wars between India and Pakistan

Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan)

fought for independence from West Pakistan

When did Bangladesh become an independent country?

1971