Indian Independence and the Creation of Pakistan
What did India want? The movement for independence began 1885 with the formation of the INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS. At first, India just wanted self-government. But eventually, India wanted to be free from British rule.
Who led the independence movement? MOHANDAS GANDHI stepped forward to lead India’s movement for independence. He focused on civil disobedience (non-violence) to achieve independence. Gandhi called for PASSIVE RESISTANCE Declaring a law unjust Refusing to follow it Suffering the consequences
Gandhi called this process SATYAGRAHA, Hindu for How did Gandhi protest the British? Gandhi and his followers defied British rule through peaceful protests. Gandhi called this process SATYAGRAHA, Hindu for truth holding firm Other people, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would practice this behavior.
What did Gandhi go through? Gandhi suffered for his cause by: Leading the Salt March in 1930 to protest British taxes Boycotting the purchase of British goods to hurt the British economically Enduring life-threatening hunger strikes (fasting) Going to jail
lowest social class in India Who supported Gandhi? lowest social class in India Thousands of people joined with Gandhi…. …even the PARIAHS that were usually known as the “untouchables” Gandhi renamed these people the HARIJAN “Children of God”
Higher offices still remained out of their reach. How did the British respond? The British slowly gave into the demands of the Indian people… …such as allowing Indians to run for local offices. Higher offices still remained out of their reach.
When did independence come? After World War II, the independence movement grew stronger 1947 – Independence finally comes to India.
Who lived in India? Hindus Muslims Before giving India its independence, the British tried to settle religious tensions between Hindus And Muslims
How was India divided? India for the Hindu people The easiest way to avoid religious issues was to divide India Pakistan for the Muslim people Pakistan was made up of two regions: West Pakistan East Pakistan
Why did violence break out? Many people moved according to their religion… Muslims did not want to live in Hindu India. Hindus did not want to live in Muslim Pakistan. During this time of migration – violence broke out between the two groups. Over 1 million people were killed.
Kashmir Both India and Pakistan want control of the region of Kashmir. India controlled the region, but most of the residents were Muslim. The United Nations enforced a cease-fire and gave Pakistan 1/3 of the region of Kashmir. However, the two still disagree over ownership of the region. Kashmir
What was Pakistan’s problem? 1960s – Trouble occurs between East and West Pakistan East Pakistan felt it had no power because the government of Pakistan was in West Pakistan. 1971 – East Pakistan declares its independence … …a civil war erupts… Today: West Pakistan = Pakistan East Pakistan = Bangladesh
What type of government was created? Despite all the conflicts, leaders in India created a government….. …the Indian Constitution looked very similar to the US Constitution: Separation of powers Three branches of government Two house legislature A president, vice-president, etc. However, similar to Great Britain, India had a Prime Minister that ran the government
Who led India? JAWAHARLAL NEHRU became the first Prime Minister of India However, Nehru lost a valuable supporter when Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated in 1948.
Who led after Nehru? Daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru No relation to Gandhi Had been the head of the Congress Party INDIRA GANDHI Prime Minister of India 1966 - 1984
How was India changed? Indira Gandhi as leader… Helped to see the foundation of Bangladesh Kept tight control over the government Crushed demands for independent states “If I die today, every drop of my blood will invigorate the nation” She was assassinated by her own bodyguard in 1984. Her son, Rajiv Gandhi became the next Prime Minister – He resigned in 1989 and was assassinated in 1991.