Nationalism Around the World (INDIA)

1. Nationalism Around the World (INDIA) 1885-1939 Mr. Barchetto Notes #2 HONORS

2. Western-Educated Indians begin their Quest for NATIONALISM. • Indian National Congress • formed in 1885 with the initial goal of having greater control of their own government. • Most of its members were Hindu. They were lawyers, doctors, teachers and journalists… • By early 1900’s radicals in group called for an end to cooperation with the British • Muslim League • created in 1906 to ensure that Muslim interests would be considered in India’s future. “Every Englishman knows they are a mere handful in this country, and it is the business of everyone of them to befool you into believing that you are weak and they are strong. You must realize that the future rests entirely in your own hands” Why does the Indian National Congress not find success with the “heart” of India?

3. Gandhi brings Breath of Life into Indian Nationalism • As a young man Gandhi studied law in Britain. • Gandhi first practiced law in South Africa where many Indians worked in mines for British colonial officials. • It is here in South Africa where Gandhi forms his basic principles of his teachings. • On the onset of WWI Gandhi returns to India as a leader of the Indian Nationalist movement • THINK: How does Gandhi connect to the Indian people in a way that the Congress Party cannot?

4. Turning point in Indian Nationalist Movement… • Outbreak of WWI • Indians put aside differences and help Britain defeat the Germans. • Expectations from the War: • British led Indians to believe that their service would lead to self-government… • IT DID NOT! • Result of Lies • Anti-British terrorism erupt around India • Rowlatt Act • Law gave British government in India the right to jail protestors w/o trial for as long as 2 years. • In response Gandhi calls for days of prayer and fasting • A general strike…result would essentially shut down services throughout India. • Amritsar • Small group of nationalists meet in defiance of the ban on public gatherings.

5. "The Indians were 'packed together so that one bullet would drive through three or four bodies'; the people 'ran madly this way and the other. When fire was directed upon the centre, they ran to the sides. The fire was then directed to the sides. Many threw themselves down on the ground, and the fire was then directed on the ground. This was continued for eight or ten minutes, and it stopped only when the ammunition had reached the point of exhaustion".....Winston Churchill • Message Received • Remember 1885- Indian National Congress • Goal: Initially their goal was winning equal opportunity for Indians in social services. • By the early 1900’s Indians' were calling for an end to cooperation with Britain • The Amritsar Massacre only unified Indians' more toward this cause • “Cooperation in any shape or form with this satanic government is sinful”-Gandhi When: April 13, 1919 Where: Amritsar capital city of Punjab; in a walled park called Jillianbagh Goals of Nationalist are forever changed. Who: Indian nationalists & celebrators dressed for a Hindu Festival (approx. 10,000) What: General Dyer and 90 Indian soldiers opened fire on the crowd killing 400 and wounding 1200. General Dyer after ten minutes of shooting orders his men to leave. Why: Indians were meeting in defiance to the new law stating no public gatherings. April 13, 1919: Amritsar Massacre The flame of nationalism is lit and explodes across India General Dyer wanted to send a message to India

6. In order to soothe tensions the British passed the First Government of India Act, setting up a dual system of administration in which the British governor-general shared power with an Indian Legislature. Britain attempts to place a Band-Aid over the Amritsar Massacre Gandhi responds with “Soul Force”…eventually arrested. Government of India Act Passed in December 1919

7. The unity Gandhi help established was all but gone. Understanding the history behind the division between the Hindu and Muslim Indians is important to recognize the difficulty of Indian Nationalism during the 1900’s Gandhi is released from prison in 1924 Read speech made by Jinnah in March of 1940-found on pg. 990 in right column.

8. The Push for Indian Independence – New Government of India Act 1935 • New Government of India Act gave India “Home Rule”, but it was to little too late. • Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru led India’s independence movement. • Gandhi organized mass protests against British law using methods of civildisobedience. Gandhi & Nehru