Documents and Historical Circumstances Quiz Flashcards
The Declaration of Purna Swaraj was written by the Indian National Congress and publicly declared on January 26, 1930.
We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they may have full opportunities of growth. We believe also that if any government deprives a people of these rights and oppresses them the people have a further right to
alter it or to abolish it. The British government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and has
ruined India economically, politically, culturally, and spiritually. We believe, therefore, that India must sever the British connection and attain Purna Swaraj or complete independence. . . .
We hold it to be a crime against man and God to submit any longer to a rule that has caused this fourfold [enormous] disaster to our country. We recognize, however, that the most effective way of gaining our freedom is not through violence. We will therefore prepare ourselves by withdrawing, so far as we can, all voluntary association from the British Government and will prepare for civil disobedience, including nonpayment of taxes. We therefore hereby solemnly resolve to carry out the Congress instructions issued from time to time for the purpose of establishing Purna Swaraj.
Source: Declaration of Purna Swaraj, 1930
Historical circumstances= BEIC (indirect British rule) ——-> Sepoy Rebellion——–> Raj———->Gandhi and Civil disobedience. Salt March/Homespun Clothing Movement
- Must be able to explain what the BEIC/Sepoy Rebellion and Raj were!!!
… The purge began its last, and deadliest, phase in the spring of 1937. Until then it had claimed thousands of victims from among the ruling classes. Now it began to claim millions of ordinary citizens who had nothing to do with politics. Stalin knew that these people, let alone their families, hadn’t committed treason and
probably never would. He also knew the Russian proverb: “Fear has big eyes.” He believed that arresting suspects for real crimes wasn’t as useful as arresting the innocent. Arresting someone for a crime that could be proven would allow everyone else to feel safe. And safety
bred confidence, and confidence drew people together. Fear, however, sowed suspicion. It built walls between people, preventing them from uniting against his tyranny. And the best way to create fear was to strike the innocent. Millions of innocent lives were, to Stalin, a small
price to pay for safeguarding his power.
Creating fear was easy. The NKVD [Soviet secret police] had blanketed the country with informers. Like the secret police itself, informers were everywhere. An informer was stationed in every apartment house in every street in every Soviet town. Every office, shop, factory, and army barracks had its informers. He or she could be anyone: the janitor, the bank teller, the nice lady across the hall—or your best friend. Informers sat in the theaters, rode
the trains, and strolled in the parks, eavesdropping on conversations. Although there is no way of checking, it was said that one person in five was a stool pigeon [informer].…
Historical Circumstances=
The Bolshevik Revolution led by Lenin paving the way for Stalin to come to power.
The Russian Revolution
Mention Marx as the father of Communism
I do indeed believe that we may yet secure peace for our time, but I never meant to suggest that we should do that by disarmament, until we can induce others to disarm too. Our past experience has shown us only too clearly that weakness in armed strength means weakness in diplomacy, and if we want to secure a lasting peace, I realize that diplomacy cannot be effective unless…behind the diplomacy is the strength to give effect. . . .
I cannot help feeling that if, after all, war had come upon us, the people of this Country would have lost their
spiritual faith altogether. As it turned out the other way, I think we have all seen something like a new spiritual
revival, and I know that everywhere there is a strong desire among the people to record their readiness to serve their Country, where-ever or however their services could be most useful.
Source: Neville Chamberlain to the House of Commons, October 5, 1938.
⏳ What Were the Historical Circumstances?
1. The Aftermath of World War I
World War I (1914–1918) had caused massive destruction and loss of life in Europe.
Many people in Britain and France wanted to avoid another war at all costs.
Leaders hoped that giving Hitler what he wanted would keep peace.
- The Treaty of Versailles (1919)
This treaty punished Germany harshly after WWI.
Many Germans were angry, and Hitler used this anger to gain support.
Some British leaders felt the treaty had been too harsh and thought Hitler had a right to reclaim some land.
- Economic Problems
The Great Depression (1929–1930s) hurt economies around the world.
Britain and France were focused on fixing their own problems, not starting a new war.
- Fear of Communism
Britain and France feared the spread of communism from the Soviet Union.
Some leaders saw Hitler as a bulwark (barrier) against the USSR.
- Hitler’s Early Moves Seemed Limited
In 1936, Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland (against the treaty).
In 1938, he annexed Austria (Anschluss).
Then he demanded Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia, claiming it had German people.
Chamberlain agreed at the Munich Conference in 1938—thinking it would satisfy Hitler.
🗣️ Chamberlain famously said he had secured “peace for our time” after the Munich Agreement.
