India’s Struggle for Independence

Early independence movements

A. Indian National Congress founded 1885 B. Muslim League formed 1907 C. During W.W.I. (1914-18), Indians supported Britain in exchange for promise of self-rule

Gandhi and Members of the Indian National Congress

Road to Indian Independence

Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi (INC)

1. Opposed use of violence – pacifist2. Civil disobedience – refused to obey unjust laws3. Boycotted British goods and urged Indians to spin their own

cloth (homespun movement)4. Salt March – a 200 mile march against the hated Salt Acts

Independence 1947

A. British ended rule in IndiaB. Partition of India

1. a second nation of Pakistan, created for the MuslimsC. Mass migration of Hindus and Muslims

1. Bloody rioting erupted2. More than 500,000 people killed

D. Gandhi assassinated by Hindu extremist 1948E. Jawaharlal Nehru becomes first prime minister of India 1950 (reflection of Britain)

India and Pakistan After Partition

Nehru and Jinnah