Gandhi and India's Path to Independence

Boycotts

Refused to buy mostly from the salt and textile industries, so they could damage the economy for Britain.

Concerns of Muslim League

After India gained its independence, the Muslims were worried that when the new gov't formed, they wouldn't have a say, it wouldn't work, or they wouldn't gain any benefits. They were correct, for they eventually moved out of the country into what is now Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Soul Force

Concept by Gandhi; self-sacrifice, internal suffering; wouldn't fight back physically.

India's Main Issue

Hindus and Muslims wanted independence from British.

Government of India Act

India was granted self-government and limited elections. It was a major step toward Indian independence which would come in 1947. Also fueled tensions between Muslims and Hindus as both groups vied for power.

Gandhi

Indian nationalist and spiritual leader who developed the practice of nonviolent disobedience that forced Great Britain to grant independence to India (1947). He was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic.

Indian National Congress Party

Indian nationalist group formed to work for rights and power for Indians under British rule. Composed of Hindus.

Rowlatt Acts

Laws that allowed the British government in India to jail anti-British protesters without trial for as long as two years. Also, it outlawed large gatherings that were anti-gov't related. Led to Amritsar Massacre.

Salt March

Passive resistance campaign of Gandhi where many Indians protested the British tax on salt by marching to the sea to make their own salt. journalists traveled along side them where they would record the physical actions the British would take on the non-violent protesters.

WWI Affect on India

The British promised independence if the Indians fought in the war. After WWI, when they returned, the British didn't fulfill their promise. This led to hostility and distress towards to British and eventually led to nationalistic movements.

Partition of India

This led to the movement of millions of people in South Asia after India got its independence from Britain. Muslims had to move to East and West Pakistan which became Pakistan (west Pakistan) and Bangladesh (East Pakistan). About one million people died during the movement.

Indian Independence

This movement was led by Mohandas Gandhi. It was fueled by the fact that Indians who served in WWI for the British did not get rewarded for their loyalty. British rule continued to be oppressive and suffocating. British acceptance occurred slowly. The British offered to give India its independence after WWII, but Gandhi demanded it immediately. By civil disobedience and soul force, they were able to achieve their independence.

Amritsar Massacre

To protest the Rowlatt Act, Indians gathered in a place, where British troops fired on the crowd killing several hundred because they were afraid of what would happen if the Muslims and Hindus actually worked together. This sparked further protests

Body Force

Using your physical strength to hurt or affect others. British used this against the non-violent Indian people.

Muslim League

organization formed by Muslims to protect their interests against British Rule.