Nationalism in India & Gandhi

What happened when we were last in India?

Conditions in India Nearly 1 million Indians served in World War I For this military service, Britain promised reforms that would lead to India’s eventual independence After WWI, Britain did not fulfill it’s promise In fact, Britain increased control over India The Rowlatt Act Protestors of British policy could be jailed for 2 years without a trial Denial of a trial by jury violates individual rights

Amritsar Massacre Hindus & Muslims come together to protest the Rowlatt Act. Amritsar officials had passed a ban on public meetings unknown to it’s residents British fire on unarmed Indians for violating ban on public meetings Shooting lasts 10 minutes straight 400-1000 killed (depends on source) 1800 wounded

Gandhi Quotes “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” “I believe that a man is the strongest soldier for daring to die unarmed.” “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” “It is any day better to stand erect with a broken and bandaged head then to crawl on one's belly, in order to be able to save one's head.”

Gandhi Methods Civil Disobedience  Refusing to obey an unjust law Passive Resistance  to secure rights without using violence; the opposite of achieving goals by using force

India: Post Decolonization Global II: Spiconardi

Social Change The Caste System Urbanization Gandhi campaigned to end the caste system In 1950, the Indian constitution banned discrimination against the “untouchables” Urbanization Urbanization = loss/decline of traditional culture Urbanization has helped break down caste barriers, but they are still prevalent in rural areas

Indian Government & Foreign Policy India is a democracy Federal System  power divided between a strong central government and smaller local governments (similar to U.S.) Struggle for Democracy Ethnic and religious conflicts have made democracy difficult Prime ministers Indira Gandhi & Rajiv Gandhi have been assassinated

Indian Government & Foreign Policy Non-alignment  a policy of not supporting either the U.S. or U.S.S.R. during the Cold War This allowed India to accept financial aid from both capitalist & communist nations

Sikh Separatism Sikhism religion that blends elements of Hinduism and Islam Through discipline & meditation on God one can attain salvation Many Sikhs have demanded self-rule due to discrimination they have faced Indian government had prevented Sikhs from having a political voice

India & Pakistan: Nuclear Proliferation Despite the creation of Pakistan in 1947, there is still conflict India & Pakistan have fought over a region called Kashmir Terrorist attacked India’s parliament in 2001 Nuclear Proliferation Both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons Great fear among the international community that nuclear war could break out between the two countries

* Lack of oil & natural gas Industrial Growth Hindu Caste System Less educational opportunity for women & poor Ethnic & religious prejudices Social Equality Rapid Population Growth Floods from monsoons/Droughts Produce Enough Food