First they ignore you Then they laugh at you Then they fight you Then you win

Nationalism India & Southwest Asia “An eye for an eye will leave the world blind” Nationalism India & Southwest Asia

India: Late 1800’s-early 20th century The 200 year old British rule in India is becoming extremely unpopular. Most organized resistance comes from the upper class who have been educated in the West and have learned about the European views of nationalism and democracy. Behind China & the US…3rd largest army in the world.

The Muslim League (1906) – made up of Muslims 2 groups emerge as the leaders in the fight against British rule in India The Indian National Congress (1885) – commonly, the “Congress Party” (made up of Hindus) The Muslim League (1906) – made up of Muslims The goal is national independence from Britain…either resist or die trying!! However, both are worried that one group will get all the power INC=15 MILLION MEMBERS

What do the colors/wheel mean? The wheel in the center symbolizes the wheel of law (Chakra) which is a Buddhist symbol dating back to 200 BC. The orange represents courage and sacrifice The white represents purity and truth The green represents faith and fertility

World War I & India Over 1 million Indians enlist in the British Army to help the Allied Powers fight against the Central Powers. In return the British promise reforms that will lead to Indian self-rule.

1918 brings the end of the war and no self-rule – once again, the Indian natives are treated like second-class citizens. Radical nationalist groups form in response to Britain’s broken promise. Due to growing protests, the British pass the Rowlatt Act in 1919.

Rowlatt Act Allows the British to jail protestors without a trial for up to 2 years! Many protests spring up in Punjab ( a highly concentrated area of Indian veterans from the war live here) Peaceful protests – fasting & not working in British factories, stores, etc.

The Amritsar Massacre In protest of the Rowlatt Act, thousands of Indian protestors (many vets) gather in Amritsar (capital), Punjab for a peaceful demonstration. The story of the Bonus Army British General Reginald Dyer will order his troops to fire on the peaceful crowd without warning. (He would have brought in a tank if it fit through the gate) The Indians were unaware of a British ban on demonstrations

The Butcher of Amristar Son of an Irish brewer Born and raised in India Went to college in Ireland and later enters the British India Army On April 13, 1919, he orchestrated this “river of blood” as Gandhi called it He told his men to fire low, to fire at the exits, to fire at people who were lying on the ground trying to get cover The British government supressed the # killed/casualties for political reasons Some locals say there were more than 1,000 deaths and over 1,800 casualties. The British count was 379 dead and over 1,000 injured……1,650 rifle shells were fired.

The aftermath of Amristar In front of the inquisition panel, General Dyer shows no remorse. He had ordered his men to fire into the thick of the crowd. He knew there were women and children. He said he would have offered help to anyone who asked. (How does a child ask for help?) He was questioned but never sentenced for any wrong doing. In fact, when he returned to Britain he was given 26,000 pounds sterling as a reward for “saving Britain from India”.

Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) One of the most famous & peaceful men in history Leader of the Indian Independence Movement Policy of non-cooperation is suggested by Gandhi in order to fight unfair British laws

Civil Disobedience Gandhi develops the principle of satyagraha or “truth force” Satyagraha is passive resistance – the deliberate and public refusal to obey an unjust law 1920 – The Congress Party endorsed civil disobedience as its main tool for gaining Indian independence.

Gandhi calls on Indians to do the following: Do not Pay British Taxes Do not Attend British schools Boycott British cloth & other goods Do not Vote in elections (they are rigged)

Gandhi and his followers will hurt the British economy by their refusal to purchase British made goods and pay taxes. Thousands of Indians are jailed by the British

The Road to Independence March 12, 1930 – Gandhi organized a demonstration to defy the much hated Salt Acts. The Salt Acts forced Indians to buy only British salt & had to pay taxes on it.

The Salt March Gandhi & tens of thousands of his followers walked 240 miles to the sea in order to make their own salt in protest of the Salt Acts. March 12-April 5 to reach the Indian Ocean coast. From History.com…….He had planned to work the salt flats on the beach, encrusted with crystallized sea salt at every high tide, but the police had forestalled him by crushing the salt deposits into the mud. Nevertheless, Gandhi reached down and picked up a small lump of natural salt out of the mud–and British law had been defied. 60,000 people were arrested for the distribution of this salt…..including Gandhi (May 5, 1930)

Leads to the march on a Dharasana Salt Works (British salt processing plant). A peaceful protest march of 2,500 leads to the brutal beating at the hands of British led Indian soldiers. The British use clubs with steel tips to beat the demonstrators and the incident brings worldwide support to the Indian Independence movement thanks to coverage by Webb Miller, a US journalist.

Bernie meyere

In 1935 the British will pass the Government of India Act -provides local self-government, limited democratic elections -huge step towards full independence for India -Raises tensions between Hindus & Muslims…why? Indian Hindus outnumber the Muslims and the Muslims fear that Indian independence will mean oppression under the Hindus. Independence will come in 1947. A partition is created making India and Pakistan separate states

Governor General of India Lois Mountbatten oversaw the partition and transfer of power

The assassination of Gandhi – Jan 30 1948 Memorial marking spot of Gandhi cremation Some of the co-conspirators Nathuram Godse – Hindu extremist who thought Gandhi was a “violent pacifist”. Previously, there were 5 other attempts on Gandhi’s life On the way to a prayer meeting, Godse walked with 2-3 ft of Gandhi at which time one of Gandhi’s daughters said they were late and tried to push him aside He fired 3 bullets from point blank range killing Gandhi almost instantaneously. He will be executed. His final words were: “Hey- Raam” = Oh God

Nationalism in Turkey 1919-1922: The Greco-Turkish War rages in Turkey. The Greeks are angered over the loss of lands after WWI and fight to get them back. 1923 – Turkish victory in the war leads to the overthrow of the corrupt Ottoman Sultan and the creation of the first republic in Southwest Asia

Mustafa Kemal Military commander for the Turks during the Greco-Turkish War Becomes President of the first Turkish Republic, 1923 President Kemal ushers in a great era of sweeping reforms for Turkey

Kemal’s Reforms -Separates the laws of Islam from the laws of the nation -More freedom for women -industrializes Turkey -Creates new legal system based on European models

Nationalism in Persia British & Russian influence in Persia in the early 20th century sparks Persian Nationalist revolts. Britain will attempt to take over all of Persia after WWI (Russia weakened by civil war & the Bolshevik Revolution)

1921 – Persian army officer, Reza Shah Pahlavi takes over Persia (overthrows the Qajar Dynasty). Reza Shah becomes king of Persia in 1925 1935 – Changes name of Persia to Iran. Reza will reign in Iran until 1941. He will enforce many reforms but lead in an authoritatian style.

Unification of Arabia 1932 – Arabia is united under “Abd Al-Aziz Ibn Saud” Saud renames the territory of Arabia to Saudi Arabia in honor of his family’s name. Saud sets up a government based on custom, religion & family ties. Turkey moved away from Islamic law, Saudi Arabia embraces it. Alcohol is illegal, modernization is limited to religiously acceptable areas only.

Oil -2/3 of the world’s oil supply is located IN Southwest Asia (Middle East) -The discovery of vast oil reserves will pour billions of dollars into the Saudi banks and make it a kingdom of enormous wealth.