India 1914-1947 Flashcards
Impact of WW1 on India
1/3 of all troops in France in 1914 were either Indian or had previously served in India
contributed £196 million
1.3 million soldiers
economic impact of WW1 on India
military expenditure increased through taxation
food prices rose by 93% and imported goods by 90%
manufacturing industries expanded - cloth mills in Bombay
political impact of WW1
Indian soldiers had fought alongside the British, strengthened self esteem
1916 Lucknow pact
compromise between the Indian National Congress and the All Muslim League
Muslims were promised a fixed proportion of seats in parliament
Muslim league led by extremist Bal Tilak
1917 Monatgu Declaration
interpreted by Indians as though they were going to get self governance
1919 Government of India Act (Monatgu-Chelmsford reforms)
reforms were a concession to critics of British rule in the INC
viceroy retained control of major areas like defence but it was required to defend its actions before the Legislative council whos 104 of 144 members were to be elected
1919 Rowlatt Act
gave the authorities harsh power to arrest and imprison anyone who protested against British rule
done to prevent nationalist movements advancing
increased tension in Punjab region
Amritsar Massacre 1919
rioting against the Rowlatt act brought down civil order in the area
a peaceful protest of Indians led to British opening fire on many who had gathered for Sikh new year = 400 killed
aftermath of the Amritsar massacre
Indian national congress claimed that British actions showed they had no moral authority to rule
galvanised Ghandi’s 1920 Non-coop movement
1922 Chauri Chaura incident
violence erupted amongst Non-Coop movement
police opened fire = 3 civillians killed
demonstrators set fire to police station = 23 police killed
INC called for an end to the non coop movement
The Simon Commission 1929
did not include Indian representation
reviewed the India act and recommended that a federal system of government should be created across India, including provinces under British rule and princely states
defence, internal security, and foreign affairs should remain in the hands of the Viceroy
Round Table Conference
Gandhi unable to attend the first but went to second and represented the INC
British rejected self governing Dominion status for India due to their prejudice about competence of non-white leaders
Gandhi made mistake of claiming to speak on behalf of muslims = conference unravelled and no agreement was reached
FAILURE OF GANDHI
Government of India act 1935
created a federation by making the provinces entirely self-governing (provincial governors to be appointed by the British)
extending the franchise from 7 to 35 million people
why was the GoI act 1935 opposed
by congress as it fell short of the independence enjoyed by the Dominions due to a desire to be completely free of British rule
princely states rejected as wanted to maintain their independence from the rest of India
nationalism in 1939
members of congress controlled ministries in the provinces resigned in opposition to Indian participation in the war
British imposed direct rule and severe repression
Non Cooperation 1920-22
Gandhi wanted to make the Raj ungovernable e.g. boycotts
this was to be peaceful but millions followed their own agenda
within 4 days, Looting broke out in Bombay
sparked riots between groups e.g. Hindus and Muslims
Chauri Chaura
had to be called of and Gandhi was arrested
Gandhis salt march 1930
a 24 day march where they made salt from sea water in defiance of the British oppression they had on salt
thousands joined him, encouraging Indians to break the law
80,000 arrests were made and Gandhi was sent to prison = strikes and protests
Fast-unto death 1932
Gandhi threatened to fast until death in response to Ramsay McDonalds Commual Award
Viceroy Willingdon did not want to make Gandhi a martyr so it led to Untouchability abolition week
Quit India Campaign 1942
Chruchill sent Stafford Cripps who offered Dominion status after the war but princely states could opt out
Gandhi was furious
led to violence and destruction of property = over 1000 deaths
Raj responded by deploying 35,000 troops to support the police, arrest of leading congress members
by November, order was restored and so campaign was not successful = Gandhi lost support
Gandhi’s beliefs
Satyagraha = peaceful protest
harmonious relations between Hindus and Muslims, rejected partition
independent India to remain agricultural and rural, rejecting western development
importance of Gandhi
provided a leader and coordinated nationalism
made it difficult for British to respond - used violence to break up demonstrations, showing empire rested on ruthlessness rather than peaceful methods
other nationalism - Nehru
sought modernisation and industrialisation
supported Britain in WW2
president of congress from 1936
reluctantly supported Quit India Campaign
Indias first president
other nationalists - Chandra Bose
wanted INC to adopt a more militant approach
1939 allied himself with axis powers and formed the Indian National Army in 1943
Jinnahs All Indian Muslim League
disagreed with Gandhis tactics of non violence = more militant
campaigned for establishment of safeguards for muslims
supported the British during WW2 = divisions in nationalism
wanted a separate Muslim state in Punjab and the North West frontier = Pakistan
