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India Seeks Self-Rule

India Seeks Self-Rule. India moved toward independence after WW I because they were frustrated with British rule. Some examples of their frustration are:. Amritsar Massacre WWI – More than a million Indians had served overseas suffering heavy casualties yet had no freedom at home.

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India Seeks Self-Rule

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  1. India Seeks Self-Rule

  2. India moved toward independence after WW I because they were frustrated with British rule. Some examples of their frustration are:

  3. Amritsar Massacre • WWI – More than a million Indians had served overseas suffering heavy casualties yet had no freedom at home. • Britain promised India greater self-government after the war, but instituted only minor reforms.

  4. There were many efforts at attaining self-rule • Congress Party – since 1855 had pressed for self-rule with the British empire and after Amristar called for independence. • Members were from the middle class n and were western-educated elite who had little in common with the masses of Indian peasants. • In the 1920’s a new leader emerged, Mohandas Gandhi who united all Indians

  5. Mohandas Gandhi (“Mahatma – Great Soul”) • Background • Middle Class Hindu Family • Went to England to study law at age of 19 • Joined a law firm in South Africa where he faced racial prejudice and spent 20 years fighting discrimination against Indians in South Africa – develops philosophy of nonviolence.

  6. 2. Philosophy of Nonviolence • Embraced Hindu traditions to solve national problems • Ahimsa: Nonviolence & reverence for all life • Civil Disobedience: refusal to obey unjust laws (inspired by Henry David Thoreau) • Embraces Western ideas of democracy & nationalism • Rejected inequalities of caste system • Fought hard to end harsh treatment of untouchables • Equal rights for all Indians

  7. 3. An Example • Wore traditional village clothes – dhoti • Series of nonviolent actions against British rule • Boycott British goods, especially textiles • Urged Indians to wear only cotton grown & woven in India • Wanted to restore pride in India’s traditional industries • Spinning Wheel becomes symbol of the nationalist movement • When protests led to violent riots by Indians, Gandhi would fast, pray & call on the Indians to practice self-control

  8. As a result of the Salt March and Walkers report of the incident, the rest of the world begins placing pressure on the British to grant India self-rule • Britain slowly gave some power to the Indians • WWII interrupts plans of independence for India • Some Indians help the British war effort • Others outraged India has been drug into another war

  9. 3. 1947 – India achieves independence • Tensions between Muslims & Hindus increase and erupt into violence • 1930’s Muhammad Ali Jinnah led the Muslim League • At first represents Muslim interests in the Congress Party • Later supports idea of a separate state for Muslims - Pakistan

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