India & China India Seeks self rule Upheavals in China

Moves toward Independence Like nations in Africa and the Middle East, India was also promised greater independence by Britain The Congress Party pressed for self-rule A new leader emerged that the people called Mahatma, or ‘great soul’

Mohandas Gandhi Came from a middle- class Hindu family Studied law in England Worked in South Africa as a lawyer Fought laws that discriminated against Indians in South Africa.

Mohandas Gandhi Adopted the weapon of non-violent resistance He called it satya-graha - “soul-force” He embraced Hindu traditions: – Ahimsa or non-violence and respect for all life. Admired the Christian teachings about love Read Thoreau - belief in civil disobedience or refusal to obey unjust laws Embraced democracy and nationalism

Gandhi sets the Example Wore traditional Indian dress – not western clothes Non-violent actions: – Boycott of British goods – textiles – Urged Indians to wear only Indian made cotton textiles Inspired Indians to, “get rid of our helplessness”

The Salt March Gandhi set out to end the British monopoly of salt – Indians not allowed to use natural salt available in the sea. – Could only use salt sold by British government The salt monopoly was a symbol of British oppression.

Breaking the Law March 12, 1930 – Gandhi as 78 followers began a 240 mile march to the Sea – Numbers were in the thousands by the time they reached the sea. Picked up a lump of sea salt – “with this, I am shaking the foundations of the British Empire” Gandhi was arrested and jailed. – Thousands were eventually arrested in the protest

Toward Freedom British soldiers brutally clubbed protestors Indian marchers never raised a hand to defend themselves Gandhi’s campaign of non-violence slowly forced Britain to agree to hand some power over to India Complete Independence achieved after WWII in 1947

Separate Muslim State Indian Muslims feared the Hindu majority Called for a separate Muslim state It would be called “Pakistan” meaning land of the ritually pure

Upheaval in China

The Chinese Republic Qing dynasty collapsed in 1911 Attempt made to establish a republic leader resigned and military leaders tried to set up a new Dynasty Warlords, rival armies all battled for control Peasants suffered terrible hardships – taxes and famine.

Foreign Imperialism During this upheaval, foreign powers increased influence of China – spheres of influence 1915 Japan takes advantage of Europe being in WWI – Sought to make China a protectorate Paris Peace Conference – Japan given control of former German possessions in China

The Appeal of Marxism Student protest – May Fourth Movement – wanted to strengthen China – Organized a boycott of Japanese goods The Russian Revolution had impressed some Chinese by turning Soviet Russia around Soviets were more than willing to train Chinese communist.

New Leaders Nationalist Party set up a democratic government in south China – Leader Jiang Jieshi Chinese Communist Party was attacked by the Nationalist – Leader Mao Zedong Mao sought peasant support to establish a communist China Fought each other for 22 years

Japanese Invasion (1931) During the civil war, Japan invaded Manchuria in NE China to add to their empire Nationalist and Communist united to fight the common enemy – Japan 1937 – Japan struck again – occupying much of eastern China 1941 – Japan bombs Pearl Harbor – bringing America into an alliance with China

Questions to Ponder How did Gandhi revive Indian pride? Why did Gandhi organize the Salt March? Why did the new republic of China fall into chaos after 1912? Describe the goals of Mao Zedong.