What were Churchill's views on India? Flashcards
What was founded in 1885 and what did they want?
Indian National Congress (Party) - initially for greater political autonomy, but by early 1900s called for full independence
What helped strengthen the independence movement?
The fact that World War 1 had left Britain virtually bankrupt
How many Indian troops had fought for Britain in World War 1?
Over 1 million
What act did the Imperial Legislative Council introduce in March 1919?
Rowlatt Act (1919)
* gave power to the police to arrest any person without reason
What 3 key things did the Rowlatt Act permit?
- Certain political cases could be tried without a jury
- Suspects could be imprisoned without trial
- Restrictions placed on press
What other act did the British introduce in 1919
Montagu-Chelmsford Act - gave provincial governments increased autonomy over some issues
What was Gandhi’s response to the Rowlatt Act?
In April 1919, Gandhi called for people to engage in nonviolent protest
How many were killed/wounded at the Amritsar Massacre + what happened?
90 Gurka and inidan soldiers led by Reginald Dyre open fired upon a crowd of protesters for 10 minutes
379 killed
1,200 wounded
Why did Churchill see India as important?
- Prestige - Churchill believed Britain’s greatness was bound up in its Empire, and India was the “jewel in the crown”
- Violence between Hindus and Muslims - Churchill believed rule of British Raj protected Muslim minority from Hindu majority
- Counter to communism - British Empire was best means of keeping it in check. Weakening Empire in India would be a significant blow to its power, India = strategic location
When + what was the Salt March?
major nonviolent protest led by Gandhi
(March / April 1930) - about salt taxes
By the end of 1930, how many people involved in the Salt March had been jailed?
60,000
When + what were the Round Table Conferences?
November 1930 - December 1932
The next stage of India’s constitutional development
* influenced the passing of the (1935) Government of India Act
Who was Secretary of State for India from 1931-1935?
Sir Samuel Hoare
What did Churchill do in January 1931?
Resigned from shadow cabinet over his party’s India policy so he could speak freely
What did Churchill do in the spring of 1933?
Publicly split with Stanley Baldwin over India policy
