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