India - 2.2 Flashcards
1
Q
Gandhi’s aims and beliefs
A
- respect for parents (a lot of protests from parents about their kids and removing them from education)
- not to touch meat and wine
- improve life for the untouchables
- cleanliness and good habits were as important as prayer
- Hindus and Muslims should work together
- he had a good understanding of British language and law making him more threatening.
- his time in England also exposed him to the idea of Victorian self-help
2
Q
satyagraha
A
- believed that very individual was created to search for the truth. This helped people to be fully human
- means truth and obstinacy
3
Q
Gandhi’s methods
A
- set up an ashram
- wore a dhoti and walked everywhere
- charkas (a spinning wheel) became a symbol of not buying British goods. it also brought him closer to the masses who did this daily
- fasting
- swaraj the ‘quit India’ movement
- defied British making salt
- these methods allowed people to identify not only with his ideas but also Gandhi himself.
- he combined spiritual strength with political awareness making him very popular
4
Q
Gandhi in Britain
A
- he met freethinking theosophists such as Annie Besant
- taught him the importance of meeting opponents in person
- witnessed the suffragettes, admiring their hunger strikes, but abhorred violence.
5
Q
why did Gandhi become a leader?
A
- when he left SA he wasn’t completely anti-raj but three things changed his mind
- the Rowlett Acts which wanted to continue wartime repression
- the Amritsar Massacre
- one of the outcomes of the Paris Pease Conference was that Turkey had to pay a huge indemnity and lose its territories. this confirmed that the west had little concern for islamic nations. this could increase the notion of separateness among muslims
- he believed Britain no longer had a moral right to rule India
6
Q
what did congress encourage Indians to do 1920-22?
A
- boycott the law courts
- withhold taxes
- refuse to buy imported goods
- leave all government posts
- refuse invitation to social events run by the Raj
- remove children from government schools
- hand back all titles and decorations
- boycott elections and new legislative councils
- at this point that tactic was very much satyagraha as oppose to Swaraj.
7
Q
successes of congress 1920-22
A
- refusal to pay taxes stopped most government departments functioning
- targeted areas that were unlikely to result in conflict
- students boycotted exams, electoral procedures and Indians didn’t attend official ceremonies (e.g. the visit of the Duke of Connaught to Calcutta in 1921)
- supported social welfare policies instead of non-cooperation
- acquired a deeper understanding of peasants needs.
- air of excitement as congress were starting to understand local grievances
8
Q
failures of congress 1920-22
A
- some of the tactics were unrealistic (lawyers were unlikely to leave their lucrative practice and parents reluctant to remove their children from education)
- many Indians failed to understand the morality underpinning satyagraha, following their own agendas instead (rioting in Bombay during a visit from the prince of Wales)
- Gandhi was sent to prion for 6 years
- muslims declared a jihad, killing British people and forcing others to convert.
- Hindus forced muslims to purify themselves by total immersion in things like rivers. This drowned many
9
Q
noncooperation 1920-22
A
- Gandhi targeted the areas where non-cooperation would be unlikely to bring them into conflict with the police.
- this happened to be areas such as the taxation or administration (vital to Smooth functioning of the Raj)
- came to an end in 1922 when a mob of congress supported torched a police station. Gandhi called an end to this campaign
- he turned away from political agitation and worked on social welfare
10
Q
Gandhi’s imprisonment and its effects
A
- congress became more involved in peasant communities and gained a greater understanding of their needs
- congress became more understanding of local grievances
- leadership of congress passed to more moderate leaders such as Motilal Nehru. both wanted to take control of the Government of India Act
- many congressmen were successful in local elections giving them an air of respectability
- the Raj returned to the traditional policy of attempting to balance the need to keep control while also making concessions. (support given to assemblies giving cholera and smallpox inoculations)
11
Q
1922-30 - extending the appeal
A
- membership of congress rose to 2 million in 1921
- it appealed to more geographical areas
- wooded interest groups that had been neglected (peasantry and the commercial class)
- members of the all-Indian congress increased to 350 with seats located on a regional population basis.
- 100 additional provincial committees set up
- congress working committee was set up to formulate policy (alternative administrative structure to the Raj)
- however, a large number of muslims left as they though Gandhi had failed to support them over their concerns about the breakup of the Islamic Ottoman Empire after FWW
- muslim membership dropped by 7.3%
12
Q
1922-30 - Back to basics
A
- set up the all India spinners association to promote self sufficiency
- wanted to return to a simpler way of life
- congress campaigned for mass literacy and sanitation. this helped the untouchables, allowing them to enter fully into Indian society
- congress seemed to be becoming a responsible political party, determined to improve India not just independence
13
Q
1922-30 - Young Hooligans
A
-it is said that the setting up of the Simon commission was linked to the emergence of these three energetic men
-they lobbied the All Indian Congress Committee and wanted renewed action
- independence would bring was their main aim
-they were impatient with congress’ reluctance to confront the raj
-congress had debated the limited freedom that would come with dominion status and therefore opposed this
-
14
Q
1922-1930 - The Nehru Report
A
- 1928
- all parties constitution held producing what was essentially the first draft of the Indian constitution (work of Sapru and M Nehru)
- recommended dominion status on the same terms as Canada and Australia
- princely states and British India were to be joined in a federation (Hindus would formed a permeant hindu majority and a lack of muslim representation)
- get rid of devolution (no further power to separate provinces)
- muslims were not happy as they would lose the separate electorates outlined in the Lucknow pact
15
Q
how did congress react to the Nehru Report?
A
- organised a boycott of the Simon commission
- 1928 congress met in Calcutta where delegates backed two motions. one demanded instant dominion status, the other (proposed by the YH) wanted complete withdrawal
- it was unrealistic to expect the British to withdraw in the space of a few months. Britain’s inability to do this would however act as an excuse for further non-cooperation.
16
Q
lahore congress
A
- Gandhi aware his view would sway the final decision due to his charisma and standing
- aware that another mass civil disobedience would alienate more moderate members
- by backing the young hooligans he would have considerable support from young members and trade unionists
- congress was also facing the problem of asserting its authority (smaller groups gaining more of a voice). not doing so would risk Britain settling with individual factions, playing them against each other
17
Q
outcome of Lahore congress
A
- Gandhi decided to support the young hooligans
- purna swaraj (total independence) became India’s new political demand
- however there was no decision on how this would be achieved
18
Q
salt march
A
- 1930
- salt was needed by Indians, however, it was controlled by the Raj
- Gandhi walked 240 miles to Dandi accompanied by 78 supporters, including the untouchables (they were -75,000 gathered the day the march began.
- reporters from the NY times accompanied
- picked up salt from the shore and published a message that he had broken the law by harvesting salt-free tax
19
Q
response to the salt march
A
- the raj continued with repression
- hundred arrested (mass arrests of congress leaders inc Nehru Jr)
- arrest of Gandhi led to strikes
- encouraged other civil disobedience campaigns, of unique nature and timing
- by allowing provincial committees autonomy congress hoped to demonstrate that it was sensitive to local needs
- it also made it harder for the Raj to stop because there was no central organisation to take out
20
Q
was civil disobedience in the 1920s a success?
A
- parts of Bombay were in the hands of a mob and was a no-go are for police.
- a peasants anti-land-tax campaign was particular successful
- it meant that on a national scale, people were becoming aware and articulate about the problems. Women became involved when their husbands were imprisoned. they also became involved in their own way with 360 being sent to jail
- 2000 youth under the age of 17 in jail
- Raj had regained control by 1931. Irwin had considered imposing martial law
- congress was also under strain as local satyagraha couldn’t be sustained once local grievances had been settled
- an economic upturn in 1930 made people anxious to return to norm business relationships.
21
Q
why did the Muslim League promote separateness?
A
- fundamental aspects of each religion were very different, raising questions about how both would be supported
- muslims believe in one God with equality amongst people
- hindus believe in multiple Gods with a social hierarchy (castes)
- for example, both promoted violence for faith and therefore this had the potential for conflict
22
Q
the khilafat movement
A
- Caliph of Turkey was seen as the muslims spiritual leader
- Turkey supported Germany in WW1 so muslims wants to go against the British. (the majority of the muslim league still supported the British)
- muslim leaders joined with Gandhi from 1920-21 in civil-disobedience campaigns
- Gandhi endorsed the movement giving the backing of a Hindu opinion
23
Q
Jinnah’s view on the khilafat movement
A
- opposed Gandhi’s support for the movement as it caused divisions between muslims
- e.g. spoke out against it during Congress’s Nagpur session 1920
- he thought the movement was too extreme
24
Q
why did the Khilafat movement collapse?
A
- 1923
- Turkey rejected the caliphate and became secular, this removed the main reason for the movements existence
- the religious mass appeal of the movement alienate western-orientated politicians, like Jinnah
- many muslims became uncomfortable with Gandhi’s leadership
25
re-emergence of muslim values
- similar to the back to basics campaign and the congress working committee
- created the Tanzeem which was in charge of organisation and the Tabligh which was in charge of religion
- each was to have their own association (anjuman) responsible for islamic teaching, regular observance, religious duties and the construction of mosques
- meant to be pro-muslim but anti-hindu sentiment grew and congress was no longer seen by muslims as the body to push for independence
- congress didn't have a religious element to their CWC so the muslim league became more about religion as oppose to independence
26
separateness
- became so volatile due to the neutrality of officially adopted by the Raj.
- this led muslims and Hindus to believe they had equal rights to carry out religious practices. other princely states came down harder, so it wad clear which religious behaviours would be tolerated
- festivals, beliefs and worships were separate
27
Hindu organisations that emphasises separateness
- Arya samj was proactive in muslim Northern India. They set up the Cow Protection society and wanted to protect other Hindu ideals
- in 1906 a Hindu 'ginger group' was established aiming to make Hindus powerful and to retain the purity of the faith (a member shot Gandhi in 1948)
28
how was Jinnah different to Gandhi?
- he didn't mix religion and politics
- he was not an orthodox muslim, he wore western clothes and regular drank, his second wife was not a muslim
- he led the Muslim League because he was an effective leader not primarily. because of his dedication to islam
29
Jinnahs aims
- he wanted ML and Congress to work together and recognised the large influence of congress
- 1927 he offered to end separate electorates if 1/3 of congress assembly seats went to muslims. this was rejected
- 1929 Jinnah tried again with his 14 point comprise which was again rejected
- Jinnah left for England where he devised a plan for separateness and the partition
- he started to learn Urdu and appeared at formal events in traditional muslim clothing, identifying himself more closely with the muslim cause
30
why did congress reject Jinnah's proposal?
- congress didn't want congress to become religious, it was about being Indian. it was not particularly religious based however it had a hindu majority and wasn't actively looking to change this
- could give increase to muslim power
- by 1929 they had a clear agenda so didn't want to make concessions
31
successes of the muslim league
- good detailed organisation at a local level. Anjuman helped to gain support
- Gandhi endorsed the Khalifat movement and initially said he would work with the Muslim League. for example, they were part of early civil disobedience campaigns
- Jinnah had an attractive personality
32
failures of the muslim league
- they failed to unite with congress as they rejected JInnahs proposals
- certain groups were stopped due to being too extreme
- they had different aims (separateness), alienating other religions in society. Many campaigns also became anti-hind
- lack of a central philosophy making it clear what they don't want but not what they do
- less focused on independence so less of an appeal
- British were more likely to see with congress as they had Gandhi and mass support.
33
why did the conservatives bring forward a review of the government of India act?
- they were worried that if the review occurred after the election and labile won, British politics in India would become more liberal
- bringing it forward ensured that the conservatives had the biggest influence
34
what did the British do in 1927?
- the government sent a parliamentary delegation, headed by Sir John Simon to find out how the government of India Act was working and to make any new recommendations
- attlee was one of the seven delegates
- it was not well received as there were no Indian delegates showing that the future of India was to be decided by Britain
35
how did Hindus and Muslims respond to the Simon commission?
- en masse in crowds booing and jeering banners such as 'Simon go home'
- these happened in many major cities such as Calcutta, Dehli, Lahore, Mandra and others
- many leaders boycotted the Simon commission. Hindu leaders refused to give evidence
- Muslims from the provinces where they were a majority, Sikhs, angloindians and untouchables helped as they envisioned a better future than under the Hindu congress
36
how did attitudes change under the labour government?
- Ramsay Macdonald was more sympathetic to Congress' demands, as was the new Secretary of State who was far more anti empire
- Irwin wanted to bring about a coalition
- However, though the attitudes were more sympathetic, the British were not prepared to negotiate and therefore they achieved very little
37
Irwin declaration 1929
- reiterated the Montagu Declaration of 1917 and that dominion status would be a natural development of this
- Indian representatives were invited to a round table conference where details of the new constitution would be decided
- welcomed by CWC and so they called on the gov to release Indian political prisoners in good faith
- they refused and therefore led to terrorist attack, inc a bombing of the Viceroys train in Bombay
38
what was Gandhi's dilemma about the Irwin declaration?
- attending the Round table conference would be political suicide as it was on foreign soil led by British concerns.
- all representatives of Indian opinion would be there (congress, Sikhs, untouchables, princes) therefore concession would be made and Gandhi would be less satisfied
- not going might led to a settlement they didn't support however
39
why was a Gandhi-Irwin Pact created in 1931
- Irwin worried that congress would find a way out of stalemate via violence
- he wanted Gandhi to leave prison and negotiate with Britain
- however, he couldn't be seen to be openly negotiating with a terrorist and should have been seen to support the ICS
- he had to persuade Gandhi that the RTCs were in Gandhi's best interests
- approached Gandhi in 1930, met face-to-face in 1931
- this was brokered by businessmen worried that civil-disobedience would affect the economy
40
terms of the Gandhi-Irwin pact
- congress's civil disobedience would be suspended
- Gandhi agreed to attend the second RTC
- 19,000 congress supported released from jail
- confiscated property would be returned to its owners
41
Winston Churchill's response to the G-I pact
- he supported white interests
- didn't agree with Gandhi-s image and campaign strategy
- could not understand why Irwin would negotiate
