SOL 14a Indian Nationalism

European Powers Why do your countries want colonies? How does the possession of colonies affect the economy and military might of your countries? How did World War II affect the imperial strength of your countries? How would this question be answered by the victorious nations (Great Britain and France)? By the defeated nations (Germany and Italy)? How does the right to self-determination (guaranteed by the United Nations charter) affect European imperialism?

Colonies Why do European imperial powers want control of your countries? How did European imperial powers affect your countries, both positively and negatively? How did World War II influence nationalism and the self- determination movements in your nations? How does the right to self-determination (guaranteed by the United Nations charter) further inspire nationalism and the independence movements in your countries?

British Domination England began to influence India’s economy in the 1700s. India was considered Great Britain’s “Crown Jewel” by the 1800s. Britain improved India’s infrastructure to better serve the people by providing better access to resources. Britain limited the economic and political rights of Indians. Discussion question: What motives did Great Britain have for limiting the economic and political rights of Indians?

Beginnings of the independence movements Many Indians received an English education and learned of nationalism and democracy. In return for Indian troops and money during WWI, Britain had promised India more self-government. After the war ended, British and Indians were divided on how that self-government would look.

Creation of the Congress Party and the Muslim League Indian National Congress Party: A group of Hindu Indians who lobbied for Indian control of India. Muslim League: A group of Muslim Indians who lobbied for greater Muslim control of India. Creation of these two parties caused tensions within India. Discussion questions: How did this religion-based party system create tensions within India? How did these tensions affect the Indian push for self-rule?

Mohandas Gandhi and His Leadership of the Indians in Their Struggle for Independence Educated in England; then worked for British government in South Africa Brought the idea of a free India to the common people (the Quit India Movement) Spread the ideas of civil disobedience and passive resistance Understood that the Indian people could not defeat the British militarily Urged Indians to boycott (refuse to buy) British goods and to avoid paying taxes, obeying unjust laws, and attending British courts British turned to violence by arresting and sometimes killing protestors. Discussion questions: How did this boycott influence the British government? Why did these acts of violence against Indians actually help the Indian independence movement? What American would use these same tactics in the 1960s?

Increase of Hindu-Muslim Tensions Hindus wanted a majority control of India. Muslims wanted a separate Muslim state in Northwest India. Many riots broke out and left thousands dead and tens of thousands wounded. Discussion question: How far back did these tensions date?

Independence and Partitioning 1947: India was split into East and West Pakistan (Muslim-controlled) and India (Hindu-controlled). Tensions escalated when trainloads of religious refugees were killed trying to flee to lands controlled by their religious group. 1947: Great Britain turned the troubles over to the newly created United Nations because British citizens had lost interest in world conquest after World War II and because Britain was preoccupied with trying to rebuild after the destruction of World War II. 1947: The UN recognized Pakistan and India as independent nations. 1948: Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu extremist. 1950: Indian Constitution outlawed caste discrimination 1971: Pakistan split, and East Pakistan became Bangladesh. Discussion questions: What new nations were created after partitioning? Why did the British government create new nations? What were some potential troubles with this partitioning from a geographical perspective?

Indian Subcontinent 1947

Indian Subcontinent Today