India - Theme 2 Flashcards
When and why does Gandhi emerge as INC leader?
December 1920
Becomes the focal point of the INC and begins dictating the strategy and direction of the group
He was not universally popular to begin with, especially with some of the more conservative members of the group
The scars of Amritsar are fresh and there were no other suitable plans, and so there is a vote to take onboard Gandhi’s Satyagraha at the 25th Annual Congress
What initial goal does the INC declare?
Swaraj / self-rule / Dominion Status
What are the methods of the Second Satyagraha?
Mass civil disobedience
Non-violence
Hartals/boycotts of British factories and goods
Why does Gandhi set a short timeframe on the S. Satyagraha?
Unrealistic timeline of 1 year to achieve - impractical = more movement support and immediacy
Why is the S. Satyagraha so popular?
Not just focused on high-caste or elites
Included Hindus of all castes and showed remarkable Indian Unity with muslims
Boycotts were supported by teachers and lawyers - universal support
How many are arrested in the S. Satyagraha?
30k arrested as agitation rose - worse for the Raj
What is the impact of the S. Satyagraha on Britain?
Economic impact - cloth boycotting in particular caused much textile industry loss
Why did Jinnah leave the INC December 1920?
Jinnah leaves the INC in protest of the decision to adopt the strategy of non-cooperation. He does not support theatrics and saw them as tacky; the best form of pushing for self governance is working through consitutional means with the British
Begins the seperateness between the INC and ML
When does Lord Reading become Viceroy and what opportunities does he offer?
2 April 1921
Opportunity for fresh relations between Britain and India as Chelmsford had been hugely unpopular for post-war events
Offered hope for a settlement
What does Lord Reading offer in return for the suspension of the Satyagraha movement?
March 1921 - Full Provincial Autonomy
Improvement on GOIA that grants provincial control of their own affairs (like states)
Why does Gandhi not accept Reading’s offer?
Seen as appeasement
Not Dominion Status - declines the offer and continues the Satyagraha movement
Gandhi has the whole nation partaking in non-coperation - foolish to take this
When does the first communal violence in the S. Satyagraha break out and what does it show?
First communal violence breaks out across India, suggesting cracks in the relationship between Hindus and Muslims
600 people were killed
Violence shows India cannot commit to being non-violent forever
Satyagraha continues regardless but the Lucknow Pact commitments were waning
Perhaps Jinnah, as a uniting figure, is needed
What/when is the Chauri Chara incident?
5 February 1922
Nationalist protestors v. muslim protestors
22 policemen killed
Station with men inside set ablaze and men burnt/beaten
Why does Gandhi end the non-cooperation movement?
Rebel mobs had abandoned ahimsa at Chauri Chara
Campaign could still have been incredibly impactful, even if it devolved into violence but Gandhi wanted to keep the integrity and symbolic peaceful values of ahimsa
Would not tolerate movement descending to violence
INC advisors pleaded with him to not do this as the movement had significant momentum - foolish decision
Fast-unto-death for a week
What is the impact of the S. Satyagraha ending?
India will never be united on such a large and interfaith interclass scale ever again - separateness will only be exacerbated from here on
Why/when is Gandhi arrested after the S. Satyagraha?
6 years in prison for sedition - inciting a rebellion against the state
Pleaded guilty to charges and began his prison time in Bombay
Nationalism significantly dipped during his time and tensions eased
What are the Tanzeem and Tabligh movements?
Early 1923
Encourage muslim awareness and political activism
Increases membership of ML
Muslim teaching and history brought to schools and the ML incerased their recruitment and visibility in Muslim dominated areas to attract wider membership
When/why did the Khilafat movement collapse?
Supported by Gandhi, not Jinnah
Republic of Turkey formed
End of cooperation between movements and ends direct nationalism in India
When/why is Gandhi released from prison early?
Operation on his appendix
British make the decision to annul his sentence to avoid antagonising the situation further and try to smooth over Raj and INC relations
When is the Congress Working Committee formed?
April 1924 - huge milestone for the growth of the INC
What is the CWC?
Cabinet for the Congress Party and establishes the politicisation of the party
Fully-fledgef political organisation for the masses
Gandhi is elected president
Congress consolidation its position but also an example of Gandhi consolidating his position in the party
What is the Back to Basics campaign?
Stance shift from direct nationalism to back to basics philosophy
INC takes a much more internal stance and aims to improve the lives of untouchables and transcend caste
Improvements of sanitation and healthcare of the nation
Meant to prove they are capable of running the country
How did INC membership increase 1920-22?
40,000 in 1920 - 2 million in 1922
When is Irwin appointed Viceroy and what is his approach?
April 1926
Represents a conservative government
