Topic 3: Consultation and Confrontation (1930-1942) Flashcards
What was the reason for the Second Round Table Conference, September-December 1931, and who attended?
The Second Round Table Conference had similar motives to the first: providing reassurance to the nationalists that changes would be made. However, the key difference was the presence of Gandhi as the sole representative of the INC.
Sir Samuel Hoare, a staunchly Conservative politician who was Secretary of State, chaired the conference. Bhimrao Ambedkag represented the ‘untouchables’ and Iqbal, the Aga Khan, also attended, along with Jinnah as representative of the Muslim League.
What was decided at the conference?
Nothing was concretely decided on due to the constant disagreements instigated by Gandhi claiming that he and the INC should be the voice for India in these matters. Gandhi didn’t want a large number of minority representatives as it would be more difficult for decisions to be made, which angered many due to the arrogance this mindset denoted, particularly for Ambedkah. He was enraged as Gandhi singled him out and questioned his right to fight for separate electorate because ‘untouchables‘ were Hindus, and should therefore be under the umbrella of the INC, who were Hindu dominated. The Muslim League also protested against Gandhi’s attempt to represent all of India due to the clear religious divides.
Why did Gandhi agree to visit Britain?
As part of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931, Gandhi promised to attend the Second Round Table Conference in order to discuss the state of India, guaranteeing a representative from India’s largest nationalist organisation. He also travelled to select areas in order to advocate his cause and get conversations going about the state of affairs in India.
How was Gandhi received by the British?
People were bemused by Gandhi due to his appearance and clothing, particularly due to its impracticality during the colder months, but were also fascinated to see such a prominent political figure. Whilst not everyone agreed with Gandhi and his policies, everyone was certainly intrigued by him, especially due to his unlikely physique and stature for an individual of such grandeur.
Where in Britain did Gandhi visit, and why?
Gandhi visited a number of locations in Britain, including West Sussex in order to meet with the Bishop of Chichester due his advocation of peace, which aligns with Gandhi’s ‘ahimsa’ approach to protesting. He also met with C.P. Scott, the editor of ‘The Guardian’ - a renowned newspaper typically read by educated individuals to get more influential figures onside. He also travelled to Bagnor in Wales and Darwen in Lancashire, which were traditional producers of clothing using cotton mills. He perceives that the workers are being exploited and blames big companies for the decline in the cloth industry, which aligns with his emphasis on living a ‘swaraj’ lifestyle.
To what extent is Gandhi to blame for the failure of the Second Round Table Conference?
Gandhi is greatly to blame for the failure of the Conference as he monopolised the meeting and wanted to speak for all of India when he of all people should understand the nuanced nature of fighting for freedom as all social groups have their own demands that are hardly met with ease. Gandhi wanted a united India, including minority groups who wanted separate electorates, and saw the Conferences as Britain attempting to ‘divide and conquer’, but his actions came across as arrogant and ultimately resulted in the failure of the Conference.
Summarise the main actions and events under Viceroy Irwin and assess his viceroyship
Viceroy Irwin oversaw the Simon Commission, the creation of the Nehru Report, the First Round Table Conference, Jinnah’s two attempts at rapprochement with the INC and Gandhi’s third satyagraha.
The Irwin Declaration in 1929 also confirmed that the previous events of chaos throughout the 1920s was all working towards dominion status but was vague regarding timelines and purposely ignored horrific events. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931 also release Indian political prisoners in exchange for Gandhi’s presence at the Second Round Table Conference for the INC, showing that he could negotiate with nationalists but ultimately led to the failure of the Second Round Table Conference.
Summarise the main actions and events under Viceroy Willingdon and assess his viceroyship
Viceroy Willingdon oversaw the Second and Third Round Table Conferences, the Communal Awards, the Poona Pact and the passing of the Government of India Act 1935.
Viceroy Willingdon was much more Conservative as far less sympathetic towards Gandhi and the cause of nationalists than his predecessor. He stated he wa so not willing to work with nationalists conforming to the Raj administration and proved this when he arrested Gandhi after he returned to India after the carnage that was the Second Round Table Conference, where the issues were instigated by Gandhi.
Outline the details of the Communal Award
The Communal Award was announced by Prime Minister Ramsey Macdonald on 16 August 1932 and had to be incorporated into any new India Constitution immediately, piquing the interest of Indian nationalists. It recognises Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo Indians and ‘untouchables’ as separate classes that were entitled to separate electorates. Muslims were also recognised as a separate class and were also entitled to separate electorates in the event of a new Indian Constitution as they had been since 1909.
Why was Gandhi so opposed to the Communal Award?
Gandhi had never been in favour of separate electorate but because untouchables were included as those rehiring separate electorates was the final straw. Gandhi had been advocating to eradicate untouchability for years and argued that because they were also Hindus that they should unify under the INC against the British. He perceived this as an insult to the ‘swaraj’ movement and believed that the British wanted to weaken the INC by dividing them and making it more difficult to make decisions as a group with the presence of separate electorates.
Why did the meeting in Poona take place and who was involved?
Gandhi began a ‘fast-unto-death’ campaign whilst in prison in Yeravda in an attempt to force the British to revoke the untouchables’ separate electorates as he believed that as Hindu citizens of India, they should be represented by the INC. Neither the British nor the untouchables wanted Gandhi to die on their hands as he was imprisoned in a British prison and should he die, Gandhi would become a martyr to Indian nationalists, and if the untouchables ignore Gandhi’s demands, it was likely that he would become fatally weak. Therefore, the untouchables sent representatives and a wide spectrum of Hindu leaders met them in Bombay to discuss the situation at hand before travelling to Poona to speak with Gandhi. Following this, the Poona Pact was signed which abandoned separate electorates and tied the untouchables to the INC for a 10 year period.
What did the Poona Pact mean for the untouchables?
The Pact rejected the concept of separate electorates for those in the class of ‘untouchables’ but gave them 148 seats in any future Indian government under the INC. This meant that whilst the untouchables could not be an autonomous entity for a decade, they had a greater voice within Indian nationalism and the INC had to at least consider their demands and proposals.
What was the reason for the third Round Table Conference, and who attended?
Only 46 delegates attended the third Round Table Conference in comparison to the 89 representatives that attended the first conference in 1930. There were notable absences, with the British Labour Party and the INC sending no representatives. The topics addressed in the conference include franchise (voting), economic considerations and the role of the Princely States.
What was decided at the conference?
No definitive conclusions were made at the third Round Table Conference due to the two of the biggest organisations involved in the affairs of India were absent. The conference collapsed in confusion and other groups saw little point in repeating the second conference, where delegates were met with constant disagreements between the different representatives on behalf of their respective groups.
What was the purpose of the Round Table Conferences?
The Round Table Conferences, of which there was initially supposed to be one of, were declared as a way of reassuring Indian nationalists and allowing them to have talks with the British that could benefit their group and the country. Many delegates, particularly the minority groups, were chosen by Viceroy Irwin which included Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians and untouchables in the first conference to represent those whose voices are often overpowered by the Hindu majority. However, Gandhi saw this as another example of the ‘divide and conquer’ tactic he had seen many times with the British to undermine the power and influence the INC had in Indian nationalism. He argued that the INC should represent all of India in the second conference, which enraged the minority groups who wanted to remain autonomous and have the right to things like separate electorates to ensure their views were heard and addressed.
