Independence for India Gandhi Independence for India

Mohandas Gandhi 1869-1948 Indian nationalist Born to vaisya class Married at 13 Studied law & religion in England. Gained nickname “Mahatma”, meaning “great soul” Practiced law in S. Africa and protested racial discrimination there

1915 returns to India Sets up an “ashram” or a self-sufficient community, lived simply; equality for all 1918 – people were poor dying of famine b/c they’re forced to grow cash crops rather than food & he begins a campaign against British rule

Mohandas Gandhi’s methods Gandhi was a pacifist, opposed war and violence Used civil disobedience (refusal to obey laws that are considered unjust) & passive resistance (non-action) as forms of protest. Led a movement for independence & religious tolerance and cooperation Fasted to prevent the use of violence (refused to eat)

Gandhi’s beliefs Wanted Indians to reject violence Wanted to end caste system and help untouchables Wanted to improve status of women Wanted Hindus and Muslims to work together Satyagraha- soul force Ahimsa- nonviolence

Indian National Congress - Political party formed to make India independent from Britain. 1924: Party divided into two groups: Jawaharlal Nehru – leader of Hindus Mohammed Ali Jinnah – leader of Muslims

The Amritsar Massacre April 1919 1919 Rowlatt Acts- British had outlawed all large gatherings of Indian people 10,000 unarmed Indians assembled in Amritsar for a political meeting British troops arrived and fired into crowd, killing 400 people and wounding 1,200 in less than 10 minutes Reaction to the massacre was shock and outrage Indians more determined to kick out British

Homespun movement - 1921 Boycott British goods/cotton Burned British cloth Wove their own cloth Encouraged India’s self-sufficiency Spinning wheel became symbol of movement

Salt March - 1930 Marched over 200 miles to the sea. People began making their own salt. British owned all the salt fields and mines (monopoly). Taxes raised on salt which was needed to survive. Over 100,000 people arrested, including Gandhi.

Move toward independence Homespun movement 1921 Invited to London for “indep. talks” Salt March 1930 Government of India Act (1935) created constitution for India that gave local Indian legislatures more control over certain areas (education, agriculture, etc.) First step toward self-rule (independence)

World War II interrupted the independence process. Gandhi declared that India could not be party to a war ostensibly being fought for democratic freedom, while that freedom was denied to India itself. Gandhi drafted a resolution calling for the British to Quit India. Placed under house arrest for treason (wartime) Jawaharlal Nehru sitting next to Gandhi at the AICC General Session, 1942.

Jawaharlal Nehru Leader of the INC who took over as India’s first Prime Minister after independence Close Hindu friend & associate of Gandhi Focused on building a new independent nation

Mohammed Ali Jinnah Started as member of INC Served as first leader of a new nation- Pakistan, after independence Muslim Differed from Gandhi’s beliefs Wanted more power and influence for Muslims Formed Muslim League

Photograph of the Celebration of the Independence of India and Pakistan from Britain in August of 1947

Partition of India Muslims worried the majority (Hindus) would mistreat them. They wanted a separate independent country for the Muslims. Hindu - “India” and Muslim - East and West “Pakistan.” East-

Partition sparks violence 11 million refugees Hindus & Sikhs blamed Muslims bloodshed followed the partition, ~1 million died Gandhi was to commence the last fast until violence was rejected by all groups

Gandhi’s death Jan 30, 1948 Nathuram Godse, a Brahmin Hindu, was one of seven conspirators Assassinated Gandhi shooting him three times. His ashes were dipped in all the major rivers Mahatma Gandhi world peace memorial