How important was the role of key individuals and groups and how were they affected by developments: 1914-1947

Question 1

Gandhi

Answer 1

Nationalist:

• Was influential as his effort were non-violent, used to disrupt British rule, meaning that it undermined British moral authority if they imprisoned him
• Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920
• Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930-31
• “Quit India” campaign of 1942
• Organised the 240 mile Salt March in 1930 as a protest against British imposition of a salt-tax (Gandhi proved that salt shouldn’t be taxed as it was naturally occuring by marching to the sea and making salt)

Question 2

Nehru

Answer 2

Nationalist:

• Joined INC 1919 - became ally of Gandhi
• Elected INC president 1928 however imprisoned during anti-salt tax campaign in 1930 but was re-elected INC president in 1936
• Supported Britain in 1939 for the war effort however he also supported Gandhi’s 1942 ‘Quit India campaign’ - imprisoned until 1945
• India’s first PM in 1946 until his death in 1947
• Promoted complete independence from Britain rather than dominion status however didn’t have great impact on terms as he agreed to what Lord Mountbatten proposed

Question 3

Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Answer 3

Nationalist:

• Member of INC
• Active member of Muslim League which he led from 1913
• Resigned from Congress Party in 1920 over disagreement with policy for non-violent resistance, arguing it was less efficient
• Argued for separate Muslim state in 1940 as he saw partition as necessary for protection of Indian Muslims
• Appointed Pakistan’s first Governor-General in 1947

Question 4

Trusteeship

Answer 4

Administrators to protect interests of native inhabitants, develop economy of colony and nurture it to self-rule

Question 5

Dual Mandate

Answer 5

Belief that colonial power had dual responsibility: to its colonial people owed ‘material and moral advancement’ leading to self-government; to the outside world it had the obligation to see that the natural resources of colonies were developed and exploited

Question 6

Harry Haig

Answer 6

Administrator:

• Member of Viceroy’s Executive Council in 1932
• Against (Gandhi’s) Indian independence movement however
• Came to terms with the idea as India as partners in Empire rather than subject of it: encouraged drafting of Government of India Act 1934 to make constituency reserved seats in North-West for Muslims and other minorities

Question 7

Lord Linlithgow

Answer 7

Administrator:

• Viceroy of India 1935-1943 who believed further reform would weaken radical nationalism (Blamed for division and lack of economic development)
• Promoted further enfranchisement of Indians in the Government of India Act (1935)
• Ordered Gandhi’s Indian Civil disobedience campaign to be suppressed which led to 20,000 Indians imprisoned in one year, increased censorship and surveillance of Congress (1942 Congress leaders arrested connected to ‘Quit India’ campaign)
• Appealed for unity at the outbreak of the Second World War (brought promise of greater rights in governance of India for Indian people) however was reluctant to press Britain for aid during the 1943 Bengal Famine (killed 3 million)

Question 8

Sir Philip Mitchell

Answer 8

Administrator:
Uganda (1935):

• Fulfilled ‘trusteeship’ principle by extending Makerere College and looking to create more educated African elite, offering courses in nursing, agriculture, veterinary science and teacher training