Ch. 30 Independence: India & Latin America (1900–1949)

I. Africa

A. Colonial Africa: 1.Africans forced to work in European-owned mines and plantations under harsh conditions for little or no pay 2.Religious changes: both Christianity & Islam spread 3.Colonialism provided little modernization: –worsened public health –undermined the African family –gave rise to large segregated cities

B. Early Nationalists 1.Nationalist leaders & movements little influence until after WW II –Africans had served in Allied forces –the African National Congress in South Africa –“Pan-Africanists”

II. Indian Independence (1905–1947)

A. Land & People 1.Indian pop.: 250 mill. in 1900…389 mill Indian society diverse: –peasants –wealthy property owners –urban wor kers –over 30 languages (English for Western-educated) –majority practice Hinduism –large Muslim minority (Bengal province)

B. British Rule 1.Colonial India: ruled by viceroy & Indian Civil Service (ICS) 2.A few thousand members of the ICS controlled all technology into India: –for political control –to prevent economic development –to maximize British profits

C. Indian Nationalism 1.By 1900: most Indians accepted British rule 2.But racism & discrimination inspired political groups: –Hindus established the Indian National Congress (1885) –Muslims founded the All-India Muslim League (1906) –India had two independence movements…

D. Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) 1.English-educated lawyer 2.Practiced law in South Africa & returned to India –joined Indian National Congress 3. Political ideas: –Nonviolence: ahimsa –The search for “soul truth”: satyagraha

Gandhi’s Life Gandhi dressed & lived simply Love for the poor, the illiterate, and social outcasts Gandhi was a brilliant political strategist through tactician passive resistant demonstrations: –80 mile “Walk to the Sea” to make salt (in violation of the government’s salt monopoly) –several fasts “unto death” –repeated arrests & prison sentences

Mahatma Gandhi

E. Move To Independence ’s: British slowly give Indians control of: –Education –The economy 2.Indians contributed heavily to the war effort 3.Lack of industrialization –But, some wealthy Indians who looked to the INC

F. Partition & Independence : Muhammad Ali Jinnah demands Muslim independence (to create Pakistan) : Indian independence & “Partition” of (India & East-West Pakistan) –violence between Muslims & Hindus –massive refugees –Gandhi assassinated 1948