1. Front of Board
TPO: We will examine India’s history and independence from Britain using guided notes to produce a short writing.
Essential Q: How did non-violence play a role in India’s fight for independence?
Reflection Q: How could a situation in your life have been different if non-violence was used?
STAAR: What was Mohandas Gandhi’s role in the end of British rule over India?
Vocab: Non-violent, empire, maharaja,

2. South Asia colonization history

3. In the beginning…
The Indus River Valley Civilization was one of the first civilizations in the area and the first in India.
Developed along the Indus River because of its fertile land
this area is called the Fertile Crescent
Established around 2500 BC

4. Empires in the Region
Many empires came throughout the years, often spreading religion during their rule:
Mauryan Empire: spread Buddhism
Gupta Empire: still practiced Buddhism
Mughal Empire: invaded and spread Islam.
When they persecuted (attacked) the Hindus, the empire fell apart!
This empire lasted from

5. Before the British Ruled…
In the 1500s, European nations were busy trying to find resources to expand their empire and wealth.
They created the East India Company specifically to trade here, with the states of the Maharajas (princes)
Video: East India Company
In case the chopped video doesn’t work, here Is the link to the original. Start it at 2:

6. East India Company
The EIC gained power in India by trading with so many states within the country.
They were able to place people they trusted in positions of power
Took advantage of fights within the empire
Had power until India completely fell to British Rule

7. British Rule India was officially a colony under British rule.
Maharajas still were in control of their states.
Railroads were constructed to transport India’s many vast resources.
British education was available to some, but not to all, and many Indians were still treated as second-class citizens.

8. British Rule
British rule continued into the 1900s, where the people of India were still treated poorly in their own country.
One particular individual, Mohandas Gandhi was a very influential leader in India’s fight for independence from Britain

9. Mohandas Gandhi A Hindu religious leader
Led non-violent protests against the British
Goal: to end British Rule in India!
How?
Civil Disobedience – disobeying an unjust law to protest it
Passive Resistance – refusing to cooperate, but without using violence.

10. Mohandas Gandhi Video

11. Non-violent Protest March 12, 1931 – the Salt March
Protest of high taxes on salt by marching to the sea (over 200 miles away) with over 100 followers. People extracted salt from the sea for themselves.
Boycott of British goods
Wore only Indian-made clothes

12. India’s Independence
After many years, Britain finally gave up its claim to India after World War II, and granted it Independence in 1947
Despite receiving its independence, there were still issues in India, as there were two very large groups of Hindus and Muslims.
Another deal was made to divide India, which led to The Partition (but more on that tomorrow!)

13. The (brief) history of other countries in the region
South Asia
The (brief) history of other countries in the region

14. Sri Lanka Originally settled by Indians
Then taken over by British & named Ceylon
Won its independence in 1972 and was renamed Sri Lanka
Has had a lot of fighting between the Tamils and Sinhalese in recent years
Its economy = agriculture (especially tea) and gemstones
Tamils = Dravidian Hindu that came to Sri Lanka during the 300s, now minority
Sinhalese = Indo-Aryan people that crossed into Sri Lanka during the 500s

15. Maldives
The Maldives
Originally settled by Buddhists & Hindus, but after many Arab traders made their way through the islands they converted to Islam
Sultans (Muslim leaders) ruled the islands until its independence in 1968
Today their economy comes from fishing and tourism, though rising sea levels due to climate change threaten their existence

16. Nepal & Bhutan These countries were once smaller religious kingdoms
Eventually the kingdoms unified into countries, and today they have constitutional monarchies, where the ruler’s powers are limited by a constitution.
Economy is limited due to poor resources, though they have some timber and rising tourism.
Sherpas act as traditional mountain guides in the Everest regions.

17. Writing!
Think of a situation in the world right now, in history, or in your life where people tried to solve a problem with violence.
Write about what you think would have been different if the people involved chose to practice non-violence to solve their problems.
This needs to be at least half a page long