war/interwar India Flashcards
Instance of increasing agitation during WWI?
2 early mutinies of Pathans in 1914-15 caused by fear that they would be led by Muslims
Home Rule movements?
2 developed- one led by Gokhale and one led by Annie Besant
-they supported one another; each leader was a member of the other and helped out by giving out leaflets etc
the success of HR orgs?
Tilak’s quickly gained 32k members
but they both eventualy lost wind due to Montagnu Decl
British response to HR?
They responded with arrest of campaigners- Gokhale arrested for sedition and Annie arrested without trial
What did HR organisations do/want?
followed the model of campaigns in Ireland- wanted to work democratically for self-government while remaining part of the Empire
Besant wanted ‘freedom with separation’
When was Montagnu Decl
20 Aug 1917
What did Montagnu Decl say?
Claimed objective in India was ‘responsible government’ and ‘self-governing institutions’
what also happened in 1917 demonstrating Britain conceding imperial power?
Dominion presidents and nominated Indian leaders invited to join the war cabinet
When/what was the Rowlatt Act
Spring 1919
Enabled draconian powers of the Defence of India Act (1915), inc unlimited detention without trial, trial without jury etc., tob be invoked in anarchic conditions
Reaction to the Rowlatt Act?
Bit of a piss take after Montagnu
All 22 INC leaders oppposed it
Gandhi organised a national strike (hartal) on 6th April 1919
When/what was the Amritsar Massacre?
General of the British Indian Army, Dyer, banned all public meetings on 11 April
Ban defied by call for meeting on 13 April
Dyer killed 379 people within minutes and wounded 1200
He then imposed martial law and public floggings held of suspected Indians
What happened to Dyer?
Not really condemned- HoL passed a vote of thanks and public subscription raised thousands of pounds for him in rewards
GANDHI = NOT HAPPY, DECLARED BRITAIN A ‘SATANIC GOV’
Montagnu-Chelmsford period?
Named after SoS Montagnu and Viceroy Chelmsford (1916-21)
Montagnu-Chelmsford reforms?
Made up report which comprised 1919 Gov of India Act
This promised eventual self government- promised a review in 10 years time BUT NO REFERENCE TO SPECIFIC DATE
Eliminated majorities of appointed officials in most legislative councils- members elected by Indians themselves would now make up majority
3 appointed Indians now part of Imperial Executive Council
Franchise extended- 5m men now able to vote for provincial council, 1m for Legislative Assembly and 17k for Councils of State
Dyarchy- division of responsibility between central government and provinces.Even more division on provincial level- matters deemed either to be ‘reserved’ (eg law, order, revenue) or ‘transferred’ (development)
Different settings for different provinces
How was 1919 Act recieved?
Lukewarm reaction- seemed confusing and very vague
Key events in Indian nationalism during interwar period?
Non-cooperation movement 1919-21 Simon Comission 1928 Gandhi's Salt March 1930 Round Table Conferences 1930,1 Government of India Act 1935 Quit India Movement 1942
Non-cooperation movement 1919-21?
Reaction to it?
Declared aims for Swaraj within a year
Boycotts of elections and schools- swadesh promoted
30k people arrested inc Gandhi in 1922
What was Simon Commission?
Reactions to it?
Promised review of India’s progression to self government
Didnt contain a single India
When it came to India in 1928, Congress boycotted all meetings and held protest demonstrations
Muslim League also rejected it
Gandhi’s Salt March?
Reaction to it?
Announced that, with 78 supporters, he would walk 400km collecting sea salt to publicise the British indirect tax which was proportionally unfair to low income households
Peaceful idea of ahimsa guided it
Gained international attention
In towns along the route, large numbers of Indians resigned from their Posts
March organised in solidarity in Bombay and 2k demonstrations at Dharasana were attacked by police
Gandhi arrested
Round Table Conferences (1930,1)
Hoped to settle India’s consitutional future
1st Conference agreed that the central and provincial executive power should be accountable to legislatures…not really any progress without Gandhi
2nd Conference- Gandhi was the only representative of INC and was ordered on their behalf to make no concessions. He angered untouchable and Musim representatives as he claimed to speak on behalf of whole country, again no real progress
3rd Conference- doomed by loss of MacDonald, Labour PM who was pushing Indian progress. Gandhi and others didnt attend
Government of India Act 1935?
Created a federation of India by
Making the provinces completely self governing (but provincial governors would still be appointed by the Br, and the Viceroy could suspend self-gov in emergencies)
Franchise extended from 7 to 35m
Reactions of Congress to 1935 Act?
They opposed it- it fell short of the independence enjoyed by Dominions and Princely states didnt like federal India (they wanted to maintain their own independence)
What happened at outbreak of WWII?
1939- Congress members in the provinces resigned from office, against Indian participation in the War
1942 Quit India Resolution?
Occurred while India was under threat from Japan
All India Congress Comittee met and and resolved for a widespread challenge to British rule and exploit the wartime situation
Gandhi declared ‘do or die’ for Indian independence
