Topic 1: The First World War and its Impact on British India, 1914-20 Flashcards
When was the Montagu Declaration announced?
20th August 1917
What did the Montagu Declaration imply?
British Gov granting some form of self-government to India.
Flaw- No timescale. No rush for the British
What did Edwin Montagu notice about the British Administration of India ?
It was slow, complex, stifled innovation and opposed radical reform.
Why did the Rowlatt investigation get launched in 1917?
To put a stop to anti-war & revolutionary conspiracies.
What did the Rowlatt commission report?
Bengal, Bombay and Punjab as centres of revolutionary activities.
encouraged Old wartime controls to be continued- Imprisonment without trial, censorship, House arrest.
How did the Indian Legislative Council react to the Rowlatt act?
All 22 members opposed the act (out-voted by British majority)
Muslim Leader Jinnah- resigned, wrote angry letter to Chelmsford “irresponsible and out of touch with the people of India”
How was opposition to the Rowlatt act displayed?
Hartals organised- impressive Hindu-Muslim solidarity
After arrest of organisers- turns into anti-Raj riot on April 11th. Scared European women, property destroyed
What was the response to the Rowlatt opposition?
General Dyer Marched 1,000 soldiers into Amristar (April 12th)
Dyer sent proclamations against gatherings and established curfew
What caused the Amritsar Massacre?
Baisaki Day (reg festival) bought in pilgrims. All gathered in park -4 exits, high walls. Rules Ignored by punjabis. Infantrymen at entrances shooting.
How many people died in the Amritsar massacre?
In 10-15min, 400 were killed and 1,500 injured
How did Martial Law in Amritsar affect the people of India?
Designed to humiliate Indians had to Salaam to Europeans Public floggings Crawling order-most humiliating, had to crawl in dirt to pass the street. Offensive to Hindu caste system. Aroused even more anger
Impact of Amritsar Massacre on Britain?
Split opinions. Commons scrutised Dyer. The Lords supported his actions.
Lord Hunter went to Lahore to question wittnesses
What did the Hunter Commission’s report conclude?
Found no evidence of a conspiracy to overthrow the Raj.
Dyer was censured.
Impact of Amritsar Massacre on India?
Set up it’s own inquiry. India was governed/treated in an appalling manner- roused deep anger/resentment among subjects of the Raj.
Government of India Act-1919
Created a Dyarchy
Provincial/central legislative councils enlarged
Prov council control- Education, agriculture, health, local self gov
British- Control of Military, foreign affairs, currency, criminal law
Franchise extended
reserved seats for religious groups
What was the British response to the India Act?
Horrified. Became a controversial issue.
Right wing- gov was losing its nerve, and soon India
Left wing-reforms had not gone far enough
felt strength and influence slip away
How did the Lucknow Pact form?
M&H pursuing self-government
Problem of separate electorates due to: The raj denying muslims partition
Declaration of War against Turkey in 1914- insult to Muslims. Caliph most important
Wanted an enhanced sense of muslim identity
when was the Lucknow Pact formed?
1916
Separate electorates for all communities unless a joint one is requested.
what was the Impact of the Lucknow Pact?
ML reassured, felt like they could work with Congress, Muslim identity enhanced
Congress strengthened through cooperation & healing rifts within.
who was Jinnah and What was his role?
Member of Congress & League. Worked to unite the groups under the aim of self-government. Barrister in Bombay, League’s chief spokesman in discussions leading up to Lucknow
Which were the 2 main Leagues that promoted self-rule in 1916?
Bal Tilak’s ‘Home Rule League’ in Western India (gained 32k members)
Anne Besant’s ‘All India Home Rule League’. Slower growth but a network covering most of India
How did the Home Rule Leagues gather support?
Newspapers, Rallies, pamphlets, songs, fiery speeches
Jinnah joined Besant’s League in 1917
support from Muslim League & Congress
What impact did Home Rule Leagues have on Indian society?
Encouraged nationalism, showed strength in unity, spread political awareness in unpoliticised provinces (idea of educating the masses)
What caused the Amritsar Massacre?
Hindus protesting the Rowlatt Act, British did not fullfill promise of giving Indians independence after WWI. Did not respect the curfew/ regulations and therefore shot at by soldiers.
What were the cosequences of the Amritsar Massacre?
Gandhi Launched non-violent satyagraha to government to withdraw Rowlatt Act
Degree of Hartals observation from gov was limited & some erupted into violence.
Aftermath of the Amritsar?
Thousands of Loyal Raj supporters turned away.
Revealed true face of British Rule
Any British reform tending to Indian independence was a sham
Why did Gandhi’s Satyagraha fail to work in Amritsar?
Satyagraha only worked if everyone involved understood it’s basic tenets and did not use it as a pretext to follow other agendas
Who was Gandhi?
A lawyer who previously worked in South Africa. Adopted a peasant lifestyle to get closer to people.Believed that Violence inhibits the search for the ultimate truth, thus non-violence between groups is essential. People will be happier in small self-contained communities.
How did Gandhi develop the idea of Swaraj (self rule)?
The Rowlatt Acts which continued oppressing people
The Amritsar Massacre of 1919
An outcome of the Paris peace conferences- Turkey paying indemnity & losing territories, showed the west’s lack of concern for Islam and encouraged separatism among Muslims
How did Congress react to Gandhi’s rise in the political sphere?
Congress impressed at first
No one could oppose him as he was the most influential figure in India
Congress so divided they could not unite against him
Little alternative but to ally with Gandhi
