Churchills Views On India Flashcards
What view did Churchill take in India ?
Victorian view that it was the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the British empire
Took the view, like many who served in India, that British rule alone stopped the domination of the Hindu elites over the large numbers of Indian Muslims
- British rule ensured good government, prevented endemic corruption and protected the weak
What were Churchills ideological views on race which relate to India ?
Believed in Anglo Saxon racial superiority believing in their destiny to rule over and develop lesser people
- Indians seen as inferior
What did the Indian people want by the 1930s
There was an increased demand for independence, self governance and representation
- pressure came from both educate elite and increasingly from the masses led by Mohandas Gandhi
Why was Gandhi important ?
Developed satyagraha ‘holding onto truth’
- led him to pursue freedom via non violent protest
London trained barrister
How did Britain respond to the protest and unrest ?
Mixture of repression and reform
- Rowlatt Acts 1919 increased police powers for trial without imprisonment
- 1919 Montagu- Chelmsford measures gave locally elected council measure of control over some internal matters
How did Gandhi react to the oppressive measures taken by Britain ?
April 1919 mass campaign against Rowlatt Acts and the troops that opened fire at Amritsar killing 400 and wounding 1200
- important as it gave Indian nationalism huge numbers of supporters
1930s Gandhi led a mass march to sea protesting salt tax by gathering natural salt
How did Britain respond to Gandhi ?
- imprisoned but released to attend conferences in London 30+31 to resolve conflict
- little success and agreement and arrested upon his return
- By 1933 Britain announced plans and intentions to allow Indian independence
What did Britain do to allow greater independence by 1930s ?
Government of India Act 1935 taking effect in 1937
- Electorate expanded to 35 million out of 338 million
How did Churchill react to independence ?
Bitterly opposed the movement
- Australia, New Zealand and Canada were utterly loyal yet enjoyed self governance with Churchill not being opposed to this therefore prejudice against Indian’s was only reason for against
- Churchill saw it as his duty to launch a personal crusade to defend British interests
Why was Churchills reaction to this an issue ?
- extreme public statements and supported eccentric and racist organisation which isolated him from the more moderate conserv viewpoint
- Baldwin undermined Churchill through calm and moderate speeches often mocking Churchills view
- 1934 bitter attacks on government over Indian reform proposals
- ## Leo Amery MP described Churchills view and general demeanour as a ‘unique achievement to sit up a hornits nests’
How did Churchill go to far against Sir Samuel Hoare?
- as Secretary for Indian Hoare was pushed by Churchill to resign who threatened to shatter the Conservative Party
- won him ridicule from a conservative and distrust for Conservative leadership
Did Churchill ever show support ?
When Government of India Act passed he was not critical instead he wished them well
He contradicted his view saying india was a ‘burden to us’
And if India could ‘look after herself, we would be delighted’
- however his Anglo centric view of responsibility to govern lesser races was still prominent
