Amritsar Massacre Consequences Flashcards
What did the details of the Massacre do in Britain?
Divided Common and the Lords in Westminster
What did the Lords believe?
They saw Dyer as brave and a courageous upholder of the Raj
What did the Commons believe?
Dyer had destroyed all possibility of Indian nationalists + Raj working together to create a secure future for India
What did furious debates lead to in the Commons?
Extreme disapproval of Dyer
What did furious debates lead to in the Lords?
Support for Dyer
What did Montagu push ahead with?
An inquiry into the massacre
Fearless in its search for the proof
What happened 11th November 1919?
Lord Hunter + colleagues arrived at Lahore to ask questions, listen to evidence and reach a conclusion
What happened to witnesses as they arrived to give evidence?
They were booed and cheered by the crowd
Why did journalists write at length?
Censorship and Martial law had ended
What did Dyer admit?
That he would have used machine guns, had continued firing until his ammunition was exhausted
What did Dyer also consider?
Razing Amritsar to the ground
Why did Dyer punish the Punjabis?
Because they were disobedient
What did the Hunter Commission’s Report conclude?
They found no evidence of a conspiracy to overthrow the Raj
- Dyer was roundly censured, but
- O’Dwyer gently reprimanded
Who condemned the actions of both men?
The 3 indian members of the Commission
What happened to Dyer?
Forced to resign in Delhi, but was unremorseful
What did the Ladies of Punjab do?
Presented Dwyer with an illuminated address, expressing their gratitude for his actions
What did Dyer insist, arriving in Southampton?
He had acted in accordance with his duty
When did the Punjab Sub-Committee of the INC set up its own inquiry?
After the Hunter Committee Report
What did the Punjab Sub-Committee examine?
1.7K witnesses + published 650 verified statements
What did the Punjab Sub-Committee conclude?
Graphic photographs
= A savage indictment of the way India was governed
What was the impact of the Punjab Sub-Committee?
It aroused deep feelings of anger + resentment among Indian subjects of the Raj
