3.6 - Relations with Indigenous People

Question 1

What was the main response of political leadership in India during 1914-47?

Answer 1

Mainstream political leadership was overwhelmingly loyal to Britain

Question 2

Where were their instances of anti-British outbursts?

Answer 2

Bengal and Punjab

Question 3

What were the Ghadar Conspiracy and the Singapore Mutiny?

Answer 3

Attempts to provoke a mutiny in the British Indian Army

Question 4

What did the 1919 Government of India Act fail to do?

Answer 4

Satisfy nationalist demands

Question 5

What was the outcome of the Amritsar massacre in 1919?

Answer 5

It provoked a huge reaction and showed that Britain lost moral authority to rule

The massacre resulted in varying death tolls, with the British claiming 379 killed and the Indian National Congress claiming 1000.

Question 6

What was the Muslim League’s role in the 1930s?

Answer 6

It introduced a new and increasingly militant element into the struggle for independence

Question 7

India received independence in _______.

Answer 7

1947

Question 8

What was the outcome of the Milner Report for Egypt?

Answer 8

Egypt was granted independence in 1922

Question 9

What led to increased tensions in Palestine during the 1930s?

Answer 9

The influx of Jewish immigrants fleeing Nazism

This resulted in Arab protests and inter-racial violence.

Question 10

What was the Curragh mutiny?

Answer 10

British soldiers refused to enforce Home Rule in Ireland
in 1914

Question 11

What did Sinn Fein declare in 1919?

Answer 11

Declaration of the Irish Republic

Question 12

What was the outcome of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty?

Answer 12

Creation of the Irish Free State as a self-governing Dominion

Question 13

What significant change did the Statute of Westminster in 1931 bring?

Answer 13

Southern Ireland gained equality of status as a Dominion

Question 14

What was the significance of the Republic of Ireland Act in 1948?

Answer 14

Ireland separated entirely from Britain

Question 15

True or False: British imperialism in Ireland was successfully challenged.

Answer 15

True

The Irish struggle for independence exemplified successful resistance against British rule.

Question 16

Why did support for the Indian National Congress grow after WW1?

Answer 16

• Many Indians volunteered in the War expecting
• The collapse of the Ottoman Empire inspired Indian nationalists
• The Anglo-Irish Treaty showed that nationalism could achieve concessions
• Gandhi’s efforts to recruit the masses increased support
• The Government of India Act of 1919 angered many Indians

Question 17

Who was Jawaharlal Nehru?

Answer 17

• A lawyer and close ally of Gandhi
• Joined Congress in 1919
• Elected president of Congress in 1928
• Imprisoned during anti-salt tax campaign
• Reluctantly supported Quit India movement
• Became India’s first Prime Minister in 1947

Question 18

How did Nehru’s views differ from those of Gandhi?

Answer 18

• Committed socialist seeking modernisation
• Advocated for state economic planning
• Supported Britain during WWII

Question 19

Why did other nationalists oppose Gandhi’s views?

Answer 19

• Gandhi’s views were not universally accepted
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar criticized Gandhi’s stance on the caste system

Question 20

Who was Subhas Chandra Bose?

Answer 20

• Nehru’s rival in the Congress party
• Advocated for a more militant approach
• President of Congress 1938-39
• Formed the Indian National Army in 1942

Question 21

Why did the All India Muslim League oppose Gandhi?

Answer 21

• Initially cooperated with Congress
• Under Jinnah’s leadership, became more vocal for Muslim rights

Question 22

Who was Muhammad Ali Jinnah?

Answer 22

• Prominent member of Congress and leader of Muslim League
• Initially supported Hindu-Muslim cooperation
• Resigned from Congress in 1920 over non-violent protest
• Advocated for a separate Muslim state by 1940
• First Governor-General of Pakistan in 1947

Question 23

How did the idea of partition (Pakistan) come into being by 1940?

Answer 23

• Dr. Muhammad Iqbal proposed a Muslim nation-state in 1930
• Muslim League was initially divided on partition
• Jinnah rejected partition until 1940

Question 24

Why was it difficult for African nationalism to develop prior to WW2?

Answer 24

• There was tribal politics; no defined national identity
• There were less educated elites (to lead nationalist groups)
• There was less political representation (especially in colonies with white settlers)
• There was widespread collaboration of chiefs and local rulers
• British policies undermined nationalism (especially Trusteeship)
• Limited economic development

Question 25

What was the National Congress of West Africa?

Answer 25

A group of political activists from Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and the Gold Coast formed in 1919 to promote political representation of Africans.

Question 26

Who supported the National Congress of West Africa?

Answer 26

It was supported by the swelling numbers of the black middle-class lawyers, teachers, and doctors, many of whom were European educated.

Question 27

Why was the work of the National Congress of West Africa frustrated in the 1920s?

Answer 27

* Congress demands for greater representation were initially ignored * Nationalists were outnumbered by appointed African chiefs on legislative councils

Question 28

Why did support for nationalism grow in the 1930s?

Answer 28

* With the spread of education * Colonial administrators increased new employment opportunities

Question 29

What was WASU?

Answer 29

* The West African Students’ Union * Founded in 1925 * Key political, social, and cultural organisation for West Africans in Britain * Campaigned against racism and colonialism * Produced a journal and founded hostels for West African students

Question 30

How influential was WASU?

Answer 30

* Inspired greater radicalism among its members * Acted as a training ground for future West African politicians * Major influence on anti-colonial movements in Nigeria and the Gold Coast

Question 31

How did WW2 accelerate nationalism?

Answer 31

It brought faster economic development to West African colonies as Britain relied on its raw materials for the war effort.

Question 32

What was the Pan African Congress?

Answer 32

A congress convened in Manchester in 1945 that called for the ‘autonomy and independence’ of black Africa.

Question 33

Who was Harry Thuku?

Answer 33

* Born into an influential Kikuyu family * Became president of the Kikuyu Central Association in 1932

Question 34

What was the Young Kikuyu?

Answer 34

A non-violent organisation set up to recover Kikuyu lands lost when Kenya became a British Crown Colony in 1920.

Question 35

What was the East African Association?

Answer 35

* Founded in 1921 * Pushed for more representation and opposed white rule * Broadened into a campaign for African rights and representation

Question 36

In what ways was the East African Association different from the Young Kikuyu?

Answer 36

* Across tribal lines, more representative of East Africans * A larger and more representative group

Question 37

What was the significance of the Kenya African Study Union (KASU)?

Answer 37

Inspired by movements in West Africa, educated people in an urban environment, and led to a political party that would guide Kenya to independence.

Question 38

What were the aims of British colonisers?

Answer 38

* To improve and develop the areas of the empire * To impose British ideals and economic demands on indigenous people

Question 39

In what ways were colonised peoples not always passive victims?

Answer 39

* Some collaborated with British rule for new opportunities * Wanted to preserve the status quo to retain power

Question 40

How did British rule undermine their own authority?

Answer 40

* Actions such as the Amritsar Massacre undermined their right to rule

Question 41

In what ways were colonies loyal to Britain?

Answer 41

* Sense of loyalty and pride among those in the empire * Strong attachment to British institutions and the Crown * Support for Britain in the World Wars