India 1919-47

Question 1

Issues with post war withdrawal of India

Answer 1

Feared widespread violent resistance which would stretch military resources
Indian army now unavailable due to pro independence, British troops expensive + unpopular
No longer great market for cotton

Question 2

Partition of India deaths

Answer 2

At least 1 million died

Question 3

India and WW2

Answer 3

British defeats in SE Asia in 1942 encouraged Hindu congress to demand immediate reforms
British adopt policy of repression, imprison congress leaders and blatantly lean in favour of Muslim league
In March 1942, India promised full dominion status

Question 4

Gov of India Act 1919

Answer 4

Dyarchy: sharing of powers between Viceroy and Indian ministers
Limited system of self government

Question 5

Twin track strategy

Answer 5

Adopted due to deep concerns that reforms may strengthen nationalism to move for faster change
Combination of reforms and determination
Clear signal that any mass resistance would be dealt with ruthlessly

Question 6

Rowlatt Act 1919

Answer 6

Gave authorities harsh powers to arrest and imprison anyone who protests British rule
Only produced more resistance and tragic results such as the Amritsar massacre April 1919

Question 7

Amritsar massacre April 1919

Answer 7

Result of Rowlatt Act
Dyer with army troops fired upon a crowd containing a mixture of Indians, protesting arrest of two nationalist leaders and Sikh pilgrims celebrating Sikh new year
IC politicians believe British no longer had moral rule
379 killed and 1200 wounded

Question 8

1929-30 Simon Commision

Answer 8

No Indian representation
Recommend a federal system
Provinces given more power
British overall control ensured

Question 9

Round table conferences 1930-31

Answer 9

No agreement reached
British reject idea of dominion status
Reluctant to give Indians too much control

Question 10

Government of India Act 1935

Answer 10

Provinces were self governing, Viceroy could suspend self gov
Expanding franchise from 7 mil to 35 mil
Opposed by congress as fell short of independence of white dominions
Number of Indians eligible to vote increased

Question 11

Answer to growing divisions in nationalist movements

Answer 11

Divide and rule

Question 12

Nehru

Answer 12

Ally of Gandhi but disagreed about India’s future
Eventually became India’s first PM in 1947
Educated in Harrow and Cambridge

Question 13

Gandhi

Answer 13

Believed in passive resistance and civil disobedience
Helped to organise: Non cooperation movement 1920, Civil disobedience 1930-31, Quit India 1942
Importance of political non violence
Assassinated by Hindus for bias to Muslims

Question 14

Jinnah

Answer 14

Prominent in Congress party and Muslim league
Favoured Hindu-Muslim cooperation but left congress after disagreeing with non violent protest
Lead figure in separate Muslim state

Question 15

Bose

Answer 15

Broke away over Indian support for the British in 1939
Sought support from Japan and Germany
Established Indian National Army

Question 16

Impact of Amritsar massacre

Answer 16

Led to crisis of confidence in empire
Influenced Gandhi heavily, galvanised non cooperation movement
Serious divisions in British politics
Outbreaks of violent protest
No longer had moral authority to govern India

Question 17

Reasons for British withdrawal from India

Answer 17

Increased demand for independence from a more politicised society
Impact of war, may not be in position to maintain empire
Attempts of appeasements failed
Quit India, salt March etc

Question 18

Was Britain to blame for violence and partition during withdrawal?

Answer 18

When independence became inevitable withdrawal was rushed and unsuitable boundaries were drawn up and caused widespread violence
Responsibility must also lie with the leaders of the INC and Muslim league
Congress party and Muslim league wanted different things, no agreement led to widespread violence

Question 19

Evidence of Britain’s hold weakining

Answer 19

By early 1946, 64,000 British servicemen compared to 389,000 Indian soldiers
More Indian officials replaced Europeans leaving only 500 British civil servants and 500 police officers