HISTORY OF INDIAN INDEPENDENCE FROM BRITISH CONTROL LESSON #6

Who was Gandhi?

Mohandas Gandhi Born in India Married at age 13 Educated in Britain as a lawyer Failed in India Moved to South Africa (also owned by Britain) He became quickly disgusted with mistreatment & prejudice of all non-whites He fought prejudice with non-violence

Success in South Africa Gandhi spent 21 years in South Africa Developed non-violent non-cooperation Attacked unjust laws by organizing mass protest British police attacked him for not following the laws – beat him and jailed him He never backed down from blows, which made the British look like bullies Developed a HUGE following of Indians in South Africa suffering discrimination Fully successful at unifying emotions

Quick Quiz Gandhi was a mediocre student and a poor lawyer. What was his first real victory? Where did Gandhi live for 21 years, developing his method of resistance? Describe the style in which Gandhi protested.

Return to India He won victories against British through non-violent non-cooperation in S. Africa Returned to India in 1915 Considered a hero Immediately sucked into “home rule” movement Applied non-violent protest to forcing British to leave India Became leader of the movement in 1920

The Mahatma First famous protest: Champaran (1918) He demanded Indians be allowed to grow food crops Insisted he be put in jail for his disturbing the peace By being put in jail, he’s draw attention to unjust laws He won concessions through non-violent non-cooperation Became known as MAHATMA (“the Great Soul” of India)

Quick Quiz Gandhi learned how do use non-violent protest to win battles against a much stronger enemy. What will be the new focus of this technique? Why would Gandhi WANT to be thrown in jail? What was the new nickname of Gandhi?

Amritsar Massacre (1919) General Dyer – demanded all protests end Sikhs in Amritsar disobeyed law and met in peaceful protest General Dyer arrived with troops Blocked off exits Open fired Kept shooting until out of ammunition Estimate: 1,500 – 2,000 slaughtered AMRITSAR BECAME SYMBOLIC FOR HOW THE BRITISH HAD TO USE EXTREME VIOLENCE TO CONTROL THE MASSES LED TO THE BRITISH LOOKING LIKE THUGS, AND THE INDIAN PROTESTORS LOOKING INNOCENT

The Salt March (1930) Non-violent, non-cooperation Gandhi, now in 60s, led a march to the sea 12 miles/day Goal: gather support to defy British taxing of salt Gandhi claimed salt belonged to India Symbolically beating the British click If any Indians fought back, Gandhi would go on a “hunger fast” (stop eating)

Quick Quiz What did General Dyer do that was so repulsive? How did salt symbolically represent protest?

Gandhi victorious At first, thousands are arrested British soldiers violently try to stop collection of salt Indians refused to fight back This drew International attention British were humiliated Gandhi finally invited to Britain to discuss independence Compromise: end non-violent protest in return for no more attacks

Next British Viceroy: change in policy Gandhi thrown back in jail – released from jail right before WWII started 1939 – WWII broke out Gandhi spoke out against British fighting Gandhi thrown back in jail again Gandhi is now 70

Quick Quiz What embarrassed the British into a compromise? Why was Gandhi thrown in jail after WWII started?

Indian Independence Britain was exhausted from war Fought against tyranny of Hitler 1947 – India won independence Muslims had become powerful Demanded an independent Pakistan Mohammed Ali Jinna led the Muslim League Millions of Muslims moved to Pakistan from new Independent India Millions of Hindus moved to India from Pakistan

Civil War in the Infant India 1947 – Two nations formed 10,000,000 uprooted by partition civil war exploded 1 mil. Deaths in civil war Expulsions, riot, killings, refugees, racism Gandhi tried to stop fighting HUNGER FAST Kashmir still not settled

Quick Quiz What are two reasons the British agreed to “free” India, to give it independence? What did the Muslim majority demand of their own? What did this religious conflict lead to?

The End of Gandhi Age 75, tired and hungry from most recent hunger fast Gandhi was heading to prayers An assassin appeared Shot him in chest 3x Gandhi died shortly after

Quick Quiz How did Gandhi die? Why was his assassin so angry with him?

New India Parliamentary democracy Run by Jawaharlal Neru – 17 years Goal: modernize India Neru’s daughter, Indira Gandhi elected 1966 Goal: more modernization Sikhs in Punjab demanded an independent nation Hid in Golden Temple Indira Gandhi had temple attacked Her Sikh guards then murdered her

Modern India Rajiv Gandhi – son of Indira Elected after she was assassinated Youngest PM in India He was assassinated 5 years later Narendra Modi Elected 2014

Quick Quiz Name the first three Prime Ministers of the Neru dynasty. All three died in office. How did Indira and Rajiv die? What did Indira do that angered the Sikhs?