2.3 Flashcards
Who was present at the first round table conference
16 delegates representing the 3 British political parties
- Ramsay MacDonald (Labour part leader, British PM)
- Sir Samuel Hoare (conservative leader)
- Lord Reading (liberal leader)
The princes sent 16 representatives
58 delegates representing most shades of Indian political opinion
However, Congress were not present
What was the outcome of the first round table conference
It was decided that:
India would be run as a type of dominion
The dominion would take the form of a federation that would include the princely states as well as the 11 British provinces
There would be Indian participation at all levels of government
Who was present at the second round table conference
Similar mix of delegates to the first
The Gandhi-Irwin pact made it possible for Congress to be represented - Gandhi became Congress’ only representative
Iqbal and Jinnah represented the Muslim League
Master Tara Singh represented the Sikhs
Dr Ambedkar represented the Untouchables
What was the outcome of the second round table conference
Gandhi wouldn’t accept any solution that focused on dominion status and was opposed to the first delegation’s outcome
The conference was dominated by the well-rehearsed racial and religious minorities arguments - Hindus and Muslims couldn’t agree, and the conference couldn’t agree on a workable constitution
Who was present at the third round table conference
46 delegates
None from the British Labour Party or Congress
What was the outcome of the third round table conference
Discussed the franchise, finance and the role of the princely states but again couldn’t reach any definite conclusions and it collapsed in confusion
Explain the inauguration of New Delhi
1931, the British formally inaugurated New Delhi as the administrative capital of the Raj
The design of the administrative buildings of the Raj clearly showed that India was, at some point, going to be welcomed into the family of British dominions
Why did the Round Table Conferences fail?
The situation in Britain
New individuals
Congress
Divisions over separate electorates
Explain how the situation in Britain led to the Round Table Conferences failing
1931 - Labour government resigned and was replaced by a Tory-dominated coalition (the National Government) facing a depression, unemployment and the collapse of the economy, which they considered to be more pressing issues
Explain how new individuals led to the Round Table Conferences failing
The new Secretary of State for India, Sir Samuel Hoare, had more reservations about self-government for India than his predecessor, William Wedgwood - these reservations were shared by many in the Conservative party, e.g. Churchill who set up the India Defence League, with support from around 50 conservative MPs, and made no secret of the fact that he thought Indians were totally unsuited to democracy and should remain subordinate to the white British Empire for ever
Explain how Congress led to the Round Table Conferences failing
Congress was not represented at the first conference as him and Nehru were in jail
It took the Gandhi-Irwin Pact to allow Gandhi to travel to London for the second round table conference
He maintained that he would alone speak for all of India
He succeeded in alienating all the groups seeking separate representation, and especially the Muslims
Explain how divisions over separate electorates led to the Round Table Conferences failing
Jinnah was firm in his support for separate electorates
He received support from other minority groups, especially the Untouchables, who were outraged that Gandhi claimed to speak for them as they were Hindus
The situation was further complicated as Jinnah played one group off against each other as he sought to gain greater concessions for the Muslims
The British government supported the idea of separate electorates and this drew them into contention with Gandhi
How did Britain respond to the failure of the Round Table Conferences?
1932 Gandhi was arrested
Congress outlawed
All members of Congress Working Committee were rounded up and imprisoned
Youth organisations were banned
Over 80000 Indians (mostly members of Congress) were imprisoned within 4 months
The Communal Award 1932 - Sikhs, Christians, Anglo-Indians and Untouchables were all declared as separate classes
How did Gandhi respond?
Boycott of British goods
Responded to the Communal Award with fast-unto-death (therefore blackmailed the British)
Met with the British at Yeravda (Poona) late 1932 - agreed that in essence, separate electorates would end (as although separate electorates remained, voting was by the general electorate)
Gandhi declared that untouchability should be abandoned by law (took 20 years)
