Ch 12 Section 4 Terms From “Ghandi & India’s Independence” DVD

Indian Nationalism/Hindu Nationalism Indian nationalists called for South Asia’s independence from the British. The movement was dominated by the British educated elite (upper/middle class) who were divided about what direction an independent India should take (some favored modernization; some wanted to hold onto traditional Hindu values – they were called Hindu Nationalists). Indian nationalists called for South Asia’s independence from the British. The movement was dominated by the British educated elite (upper/middle class) who were divided about what direction an independent India should take (some favored modernization; some wanted to hold onto traditional Hindu values – they were called Hindu Nationalists).

INC/Mohandas Gandhi/Muslim League… The Indian National Congress: (INC) worked for independence, at first peacefully & at times aggressively. The Indian National Congress: (INC) worked for independence, at first peacefully & at times aggressively. Mohandas Gandhi - (Hindu) took over the INC in Mohandas Gandhi - (Hindu) took over the INC in Muslim League: grew out of concern that an independent South Asia would be dominated by Hindus, whom they didn’t always trust. Lead by Muhammad Jinnah who called for the creation of 2 independent nations – one for Hindus and one for Muslims. Muslim League: grew out of concern that an independent South Asia would be dominated by Hindus, whom they didn’t always trust. Lead by Muhammad Jinnah who called for the creation of 2 independent nations – one for Hindus and one for Muslims.

Mohandas Gandhi… Gandhi was a middle-class Hindu who became a lawyer & worked for a time in South Africa. There he developed a method of nonviolent resistance called “satyagraha” which aimed to educate the British and the world about the injustices of Imperialism, thus causing the British to see the error of their ways (“convert the wrongdoer”) and end their control of India. Gandhi was a middle-class Hindu who became a lawyer & worked for a time in South Africa. There he developed a method of nonviolent resistance called “satyagraha” which aimed to educate the British and the world about the injustices of Imperialism, thus causing the British to see the error of their ways (“convert the wrongdoer”) and end their control of India.

Gandhi continued… Gandhi believed civil disobedience (the refusal to obey unjust laws) would be more effective than war. He called on the people of South Asia follow a policy of non- cooperation with the British (called “Quit India”) which eventually wore down the British & by 1945 plans were made to end British rule in South Asia. Gandhi believed civil disobedience (the refusal to obey unjust laws) would be more effective than war. He called on the people of South Asia follow a policy of non- cooperation with the British (called “Quit India”) which eventually wore down the British & by 1945 plans were made to end British rule in South Asia.

Gandhi’s appeal… Because of some of the beliefs of Hinduism, it was difficult to rally the Hindus of South Asia to work for their freedom. Gandhi appealed to Hindus of all classes. His “March to the Sea” (aka “Salt March”) catapulted him into the national spot light & made him a significant leader in the independence movement. Because of some of the beliefs of Hinduism, it was difficult to rally the Hindus of South Asia to work for their freedom. Gandhi appealed to Hindus of all classes. His “March to the Sea” (aka “Salt March”) catapulted him into the national spot light & made him a significant leader in the independence movement.

Amritsar Massacre… Not everyone was devoted to peaceful negotiations to achieve independence. The British often used force against the Indian people. In April of 1919 a large, peaceful gathering occurred in the northwestern city of Amritsar. British troops opened fire on the peaceful crowd & killed close to 400 & injured over 1,000 (“Amritsar Massacre”). This was a turning point b/c it deepened distrust for the British & led some Indians to call for violent resistance. Not everyone was devoted to peaceful negotiations to achieve independence. The British often used force against the Indian people. In April of 1919 a large, peaceful gathering occurred in the northwestern city of Amritsar. British troops opened fire on the peaceful crowd & killed close to 400 & injured over 1,000 (“Amritsar Massacre”). This was a turning point b/c it deepened distrust for the British & led some Indians to call for violent resistance.

Independence for South Asia… By 1946 as independence approached, the Hindus & Muslims were conflicted over how the new government would look. By 1946 as independence approached, the Hindus & Muslims were conflicted over how the new government would look. Widespread rioting led the British to pass the Indian Independence Act to end British rule in India. The Act also partitioned the subcontinent into 2 separate nations: Hindu dominated India; & Muslim dominated Pakistan. Widespread rioting led the British to pass the Indian Independence Act to end British rule in India. The Act also partitioned the subcontinent into 2 separate nations: Hindu dominated India; & Muslim dominated Pakistan.

Impact of WWII on Gr. Britain “The collapse of British imperial power - all but complete by the mid-1960s - can be traced directly to the impact of World War Two. “The collapse of British imperial power - all but complete by the mid-1960s - can be traced directly to the impact of World War Two. The catastrophic British defeats in Europe and Asia between 1940 and 1942 destroyed its financial and economic independence, the real foundation of the imperial system. The catastrophic British defeats in Europe and Asia between 1940 and 1942 destroyed its financial and economic independence, the real foundation of the imperial system. Britain had survived the war, but its wealth, prestige and authority had been severely reduced. It also erased the old balance of power on which British security - at home and abroad - had largely depended. Britain had survived the war, but its wealth, prestige and authority had been severely reduced. It also erased the old balance of power on which British security - at home and abroad - had largely depended. Although Britain was one of the victorious allies, the defeat of Germany had been mainly the work of Soviet and American power, while that of Japan had been an almost entirely American triumph. Although Britain was one of the victorious allies, the defeat of Germany had been mainly the work of Soviet and American power, while that of Japan had been an almost entirely American triumph. Britain had survived and recovered the territory lost during the war. But its prestige and authority, not to mention its wealth, had been severely reduced and in 1947 Britain withdrew from India.” Britain had survived and recovered the territory lost during the war. But its prestige and authority, not to mention its wealth, had been severely reduced and in 1947 Britain withdrew from India.” Excerpt from BBC History Excerpt from BBC History

Partition of British India Radcliffe Line - The Radcliffe Line became the international border between India and both West Pakistan, that included East Pakistan. The line divided Bengal into Indian held West Bengal and East Bengal which later became Bangladesh. The line was decided by the Border Commissions headed by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who was to divide equitably 175,000 square miles of territory with 88 million people. Radcliffe Line - The Radcliffe Line became the international border between India and both West Pakistan, that included East Pakistan. The line divided Bengal into Indian held West Bengal and East Bengal which later became Bangladesh. The line was decided by the Border Commissions headed by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who was to divide equitably 175,000 square miles of territory with 88 million people.IndiaWest PakistanEast PakistanBangladeshSir Cyril RadcliffeIndiaWest PakistanEast PakistanBangladeshSir Cyril Radcliffe The line took effect on 17 August 1947 after the Partition of India. When the partition was implemented, there were some problems, for example, some areas that were mostly Muslim were given to India & vice versa. Also – sometimes the line divided villages, so one part of the village was in each country. At other instances, it went through houses, so that different rooms of the same house were in different countries The line took effect on 17 August 1947 after the Partition of India. When the partition was implemented, there were some problems, for example, some areas that were mostly Muslim were given to India & vice versa. Also – sometimes the line divided villages, so one part of the village was in each country. At other instances, it went through houses, so that different rooms of the same house were in different countriesPartition of IndiaPartition of India

Independence continued… August 15, 1947 – date of India’s independence. August 15, 1947 – date of India’s independence. Muhammad Jinnah became governor general of Pakistan; Muhammad Jinnah became governor general of Pakistan; Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s Prime Minister. Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s Prime Minister. Partition led to civil war as millions of people struggled to move to their newly designated areas of self-rule & over half million people died. Partition led to civil war as millions of people struggled to move to their newly designated areas of self-rule & over half million people died.

Independence continued… Gandhi was sickened by the violence b/c he favored one nation with a democratic government that would serve both Hindus and Muslims; Gandhi was sickened by the violence b/c he favored one nation with a democratic government that would serve both Hindus and Muslims; January 1948 – Gandhi is assassinated by a Hindu extremist Nathram Godse. January 1948 – Gandhi is assassinated by a Hindu extremist Nathram Godse. Godse was executed on with 1 co- conspirator. Godse was executed on with 1 co- conspirator. India & Pakistan’s relationship has never been a positive one as you will see when you finish reading section 4. Both nations have nuclear weapons & have come to the brink of war on several occasions. India & Pakistan’s relationship has never been a positive one as you will see when you finish reading section 4. Both nations have nuclear weapons & have come to the brink of war on several occasions.