3.6 - Relations with Indigenous People Flashcards
What was the main response of political leadership in India during 1914-47?
Mainstream political leadership was overwhelmingly loyal to Britain
This loyalty was present despite anti-British outbursts in regions like Bengal and Punjab.
What were the Ghadar Conspiracy and the Singapore Mutiny?
Attempts to provoke a mutiny in the British Indian Army
The Ghadar Conspiracy occurred in 1915, and the Singapore Mutiny was a 7-day uprising by Indian sepoys.
What did the 1919 Government of India Act fail to do?
It failed to satisfy nationalist demands
This failure led to further protests and the introduction of the Rowlatt Acts.
What was the outcome of the Amritsar massacre in 1919?
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.
What incident led to the end of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?
Chauri Chaura incident
Violence erupted between protestors and police, resulting in civilian and police casualties.
What was the Muslim League’s role in the 1930s?
It introduced a new and increasingly militant element into the struggle for independence
This shift contributed to rising tensions between Hindus and Muslims.
Fill in the blank: India received independence in _______.
1947
This was amidst significant communal violence resulting in many deaths.
What triggered the Egyptian revolution in 1919?
The exile of nationalist leader Saad Zaghloul and other members of his party
This led to widespread civil disobedience and violence.
What was the outcome of the Milner Report for Egypt?
Egypt was granted independence in 1922
However, Britain retained troops and did not recognize full sovereignty over Sudan.
What was the Haganah?
An underground Jewish militia in Palestine
It later became the national army of Israel after the partition of Palestine in 1948.
What led to increased tensions in Palestine during the 1930s?
The influx of Jewish immigrants fleeing Nazism
This resulted in Arab protests and inter-racial violence.
What was the Curragh mutiny?
British soldiers refused to enforce Home Rule in Ireland
This occurred in March 1914 amid rising tensions between Protestants and Catholics.
What did Sinn Fein declare in 1919?
The establishment of an Irish assembly and the declaration of the Irish Republic
This came after Sinn Fein won a majority in the 1918 general election.
What was the outcome of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty?
Creation of the Irish Free State as a self-governing Dominion
The six northern counties opted out of the Free State.
Fill in the blank: Eamon de Valera refused to accept the 1921 treaty because it did not create a _______.
republic
His refusal led to further civil conflict in Ireland.
What significant change did the Statute of Westminster in 1931 bring?
Southern Ireland gained equality of status as a Dominion
This was part of the gradual evolution towards independence.
What was the significance of the Republic of Ireland Act in 1948?
Ireland separated entirely from Britain
This act marked the formal establishment of the Republic of Ireland.
True or False: British imperialism in Ireland was successfully challenged.
True
The Irish struggle for independence exemplified successful resistance against British rule.
Why did support for the Indian National Congress grow after WW1?
- Many Indians volunteered in the War expecting independence
- The Russian Revolution encouraged the possibility of overthrowing British rule
- The collapse of the Ottoman Empire inspired Indian nationalists
- Creation of new European nation states highlighted British hypocrisy
- 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
Who was Jawaharlal Nehru?
- A lawyer and close ally of Gandhi
- Wealthy Brahmin background
- Joined Congress in 1919
- Elected president of Congress in 1928
- Imprisoned during anti-salt tax campaign
- Re-elected in 1936
- Supported Britain in 1939
- Reluctantly supported Quit India movement
- Became India’s first Prime Minister in 1947
How did Nehru’s views differ from those of Gandhi?
- Committed socialist seeking modernisation
- Advocated for state economic planning
- Supported Britain during WWII
Why did other nationalists oppose Gandhi’s views?
- Gandhi’s views were not universally accepted
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar criticized Gandhi’s stance on the caste system
Who was Subhas Chandra Bose?
- Nehru’s rival in the Congress party
- Advocated for a more militant approach
- President of Congress 1938-39
- Escaped house arrest to Germany
- Allied with Germany and Japan
- Formed the Indian National Army in 1942
Why did the All India Muslim League oppose Gandhi?
- Initially cooperated with Congress
- Under Jinnah’s leadership, became more vocal for Muslim rights
Who was Muhammad Ali Jinnah?
- 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
How did the idea of partition (Pakistan) come into being by 1940?
- Dr. Muhammad Iqbal proposed a Muslim nation-state in 1930
- Choudry Rahmat Ali coined the name ‘Pakistan’ in 1933
- Muslim League was initially divided on partition
- Jinnah rejected partition until 1940
What challenges did the Communist Party of India face in the independence struggle?
- British banned all communist activities
- Three conspiracy trials against the communist movement in the early 20s
- League Against Gandhism founded by the underground CPI
- CPI was legalized in 1941 after Britain and the Soviet Union allied
Why was it difficult for African nationalism to develop prior to WW2?
- There was tribal politics; no defined national identity
- There were less educated elites (to lead nationalist groups)
- There was a less educated population (to engage)
- There was a less urban population (poorer communication)
- 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
What was the National Congress of West Africa?
A group of political activists from Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and the Gold Coast formed in 1919 to promote political representation of Africans.
Who supported the National Congress of West Africa?
It was supported by the swelling numbers of the black middle-class lawyers, teachers, and doctors, many of whom were European educated.
Why was the work of the National Congress of West Africa frustrated in the 1920s?
- Congress demands for greater representation were initially ignored
- Nationalists were outnumbered by appointed African chiefs on legislative councils
Why did support for nationalism grow in the 1930s?
- With the spread of education
- Colonial administrators increased new employment opportunities
What was WASU?
- 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
How influential was WASU?
- 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
How did WW2 accelerate nationalism?
It brought faster economic development to West African colonies as Britain relied on its raw materials for the war effort.
What was the Pan African Congress?
A congress convened in Manchester in 1945 that called for the ‘autonomy and independence’ of black Africa.
Who was Harry Thuku?
- Born into an influential Kikuyu family
- Missionary educated
- Helped form the East African Association in 1921
- Imprisoned in 1922 for a protest
- Became president of the Kikuyu Central Association in 1932
What was the Young Kikuyu?
A non-violent organisation set up to recover Kikuyu lands lost when Kenya became a British Crown Colony in 1920.
What was the East African Association?
- Founded in 1921
- Pushed for more representation and opposed white rule
- Broadened into a campaign for African rights and representation
In what ways was the East African Association different from the Young Kikuyu?
- Across tribal lines, more representative of East Africans
- A larger and more representative group
What impact did WW2 have on Kenyan nationalism?
More reliance on trade with Kenya during the war years led to urbanization and opportunities to oppose British rule.
What was the significance of the Kenya African Study Union (KASU)?
Inspired by movements in West Africa, educated people in an urban environment, and led to a political party that would guide Kenya to independence.
Why is it difficult to define a ‘colonial identity’?
- Identity is intangible and difficult to measure
- The term is subjective and may mean different things to different people
What were the aims of British colonisers?
- To improve and develop the areas of the empire
- To impose British ideals and economic demands on indigenous people
In what ways were colonised peoples not always passive victims?
- Some collaborated with British rule for new opportunities
- Reactions were dictated by treatment received
- Wanted to preserve the status quo to retain power
How did British rule undermine their own authority?
- Keenness to extend Western education created national consciousness
- Actions such as the Amritsar Massacre undermined their right to rule
In what ways were colonies loyal to Britain?
- 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
