Mahatma Gandhi and Indian Independence

*Video Reflection Questions:

  • Define: Nonviolence, civil disobedience, Mahatma.

  • How did Gandhi's South Africa experiences affect him?

  • What were two actions Gandhi took to support Indian Independence?

  • What is the significance of Gandhi's nonviolent resistance philosophy?

    • Lesson Objectives:

  • Define civil disobedience, Mahatma, non-violence, and nationhood.

  • Locate India on a map.

  • Summarize India's political, social, and economic situation in the early 1900s.

  • Explain WWI and the Amritsar Massacre's impact on Indian nationalism.

  • Explain Gandhi's philosophies.

  • Discuss Gandhi’s response to British economic domination in India.

  • Discuss the effects of the Partition of India.

  • Evaluate the contribution of Gandhi to his nation and the world.

  • Value Gandhi's contribution to nation building.

    • Key Terms:

  • Civil disobedience: Refusal to follow laws to protest government actions.

  • Mahatma: "Great soul," a person regarded with respect.

  • Nationhood: Belonging to a nation-state or national identity.

  • Nonviolence: Peaceful means for political/social change.

    • British Imperialism in India:

  • British East India Company set up trading posts in the 1600s.

  • By 1757, the East India Company was the leading power in India.

    • British Expand Control:

  • Great Britain denied Indians any role in government, treating them as second-class citizens.

  • There was inequality under British laws.

  • Best jobs and schools were available only to the British.

  • Indians were taxed heavily by the British on goods found in their own country.

    • The 1857 Rebellion:

  • Sepoys rebelled due to a rumor about greased cartridges that were against religious beliefs.

  • Direct British rule began in 1858 via the Government of India Act.

    • Why was the 1857 Rebellion a turning point?

  • It began direct British rule over India (the Raj).

    • Nationalism Surfaces:

  • Indians were barred from top posts and paid less than Europeans.

  • Nationalist groups formed: Indian National Congress (1885) and Muslim League (1906), calling for self-government.

    • Between the Wars & Gandhi:

  • Gandhi proposed satyagraha (non-violence, civil disobedience).

  • He was arrested for creating unrest but was released due to mass protests.

    • WWI Increases Nationalist Activity:

  • Indians enlisted in the British army with the promise of reforms.

    • After the war, they were treated as second-class citizens.

  • The British passed the Rowlatt Acts, allowing imprisonment without trial.

    • Amritsar Massacre:

  • British troops killed hundreds of unarmed protesters.

  • Set the stage for Gandhi's leadership.

    • From Cooperation to Resistance:

  • Gandhi shifted to advocating for complete independence (Swaraj) after the Amritsar Massacre.

  • He began advocating for a more militant form of Satyagraha.

  • The Amritsar Massacre became a rallying point for the Indian nationalist movement.

    • Major Gandhian Ideologies:

  • Truth and nonviolence

  • Satyagraha

  • Sarvodaya

  • Swaraj

  • Trusteeship

  • Swadeshi

    • Philosophies of Gandhi:

  • Satyagraha (Truth Force): Non-violent resistance.

  • Swaraj (Self-Rule): Complete independence.

  • Ahimsa (Non-Violence): Non-violence in thought, word, and deed.

  • Sarvodaya (Welfare of All): Well-being of all members of society.

  • Simple Living: Shunning material possessions and focusing on self- reliance.

    • Champaran Satyagraha

  • Gandhi's first significant accomplishment was the Champaran agitation in Bihar in 1917.

  • Gandhi, pursuing a peaceful protest method, overtook the government because regulators were taken aback and made concessions as a result of the surprise.

    • Kheda Satyagraha

  • Flash flood and starvation struck Kheda in 1918, prompting the peasantry to seek tax relief.

  • Gandhi fought tirelessly to gain broad public support for the struggle so the government ultimately caved in and reduced the taxation payment conditions until the catastrophe was over.

    • Gandhi’s Tactics of Nonviolence:

  • Noncooperation: Refusal to cooperate with the British government.

  • Boycott: Refusal to buy British goods; promotion of homespun cloth.

  • Strikes and Demonstrations: Advocacy and resistance leading to imprisonment.

    • Salt March:

  • Gandhi and followers marched to the sea to make salt, protesting British salt laws.

    • Britain Grants Limited Self-Rule:

  • Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) marked the end of civil disobedience.

  • The Government of India Act (1935) provided local self-government but fueled tensions between Muslims and Hindus.

    • Movement Toward Independence:

  • Indian resistance intensified in 1939 when Britain committed India’s armed forces to WWII without consulting elected representatives.

  • The Quit India movement was launched.

    • The Quit India Movement

  • Showcased the widespread desire for self-rule among the Indian population and the unwavering commitment of the independence movement.

  • Exposed the fragility of British control in India and the growing resolve of the Indian people.

    • Partition of India:

  • Created India and Pakistan, leading to mass migration and violence.

  • Caused cultural trauma, economic hardship, and political tensions.

    • Assassination of Gandhi:

  • Gandhi was assassinated in 1948 by a Hindu extremist.

    • Gandhi's Transformation of National Movement:

  • Mass movements, women's participation, social reforms, new methods of struggle, Hindu-Muslim unity, all-India character, idea of Swadeshi

    • Contributions of Gandhi:

  • Helped India gain independence through nonviolent resistance.

  • Inspired civil disobedience movements worldwide.

  • Remains controversial for his views on Muslims and the caste system.

Summarize the political, social, and economic situation in the early 1900s in India

In the early 1900s, India was under British imperial rule, primarily managed by the British East India Company, which had established trading posts in the 1600s and, by 1757, became the leading power. Great Britain denied Indians any significant role in governance, treating them as second-class citizens, which fostered deep resentment and inequality.

Socially, British laws perpetuated inequality, with the best jobs and schools reserved almost exclusively for the British. This discrimination, coupled with heavy taxation imposed on goods within India, created a significant economic burden on the Indian populace. The frustration and discontent arising from these conditions laid the groundwork for emerging nationalist movements.

Economically, the heavy taxation by the British on Indian goods, combined with the denial of opportunities and resources, further fueled nationalist sentiments. Nationalist groups like the Indian National Congress (1885) and the Muslim League (1906) began to form, advocating for self-government and addressing the grievances of the Indian people against British rule.

Explain the impact of World War I and the Amritsar Massacre on Indian nationalism.

World War I and the Amritsar Massacre significantly intensified Indian nationalism. During WWI, Indians enlisted in the British army with the expectation of reforms post-war, but they were instead treated as second-class citizens. The British also passed the Rowlatt Acts, allowing imprisonment without trial, which further fueled discontent. The Amritsar Massacre, where British troops killed hundreds of unarmed protesters, became a pivotal moment. It galvanized the Indian population, turning many towards the idea of complete independence (Swaraj) and setting the stage for Gandhi's leadership and more militant forms of Saty

Explain the philosophies of Gandhi