1. Gandhi & The Push For Indian Independence

2. India had been under British control since the 18 th C. Millions of Indian soldiers lost their lives fighting for Britain in WWI, but many more came home to be treated as second-class citizens again. Years of discrimination led to the formation of nationalist groups who began calling for independence:  The Indian National Congress wanted a free India based on Hindu values.  The Muslim League wanted to create a separate nation for India’s Muslims. What Was The Indian Nationalist Movement? Protest against British occupation of India Nationalist leaders: Jinnah, Nehru, and Gandhi

3. What Was The Role of Gandhi? Mohandas Gandhi was a native Indian, educated in South Africa. His experience with apartheid discrimination inspired his return to India to fight for equality. Gandhi’s initial goals were: –Equality with the British –Hindu-Muslim unity –End to untouchability Over time, his goals evolved to demand full independence for India. Gandhi knew the way to rid India of British rule was to gain global support. He did this with civil disobedience - protesting unfair British laws, and using non-violent resistance and non-cooperation.

4. What Actions Did Gandhi Take To Resist & Inspire? Gandhi used the concept of satyagraha (truth force) to show the world the righteousness of his cause, and his fight for justice. In 1930, Gandhi and his followers organized a 300+ mile salt march to the coast of India, to boycott the British monopoly on the trade of salt. Gandhi also encouraged local production of goods, rather than buying British-taxed goods. Cloth-making by hand (khadi) was a tradition that Gandhi used as a symbol of “Indian-ness”. By stressing the natural rights & traditions of India’s people, he was able to help develop a strong sense of nationalism in their fight for independence.

5. What Were The Goals Of India’s Hindu & Muslim Populations? India had an overwhelming Hindu majority over Muslims, which was not a problem for Hindu, or even secular (non-religious) leaders. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, was a socialist who largely avoided matters of religion. Leaders of the Muslim minority constantly worried that their goals would be overlooked. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, father of modern-day Pakistan, pushed for a separate nation for India’s Muslims. Gandhi had always believed that India’s religious diversity was a blessing, and a source of national strength rather than divisions.

6. What Was The Result Of India’s Independence Movement? British rule in India ended in 1947. The independence agreement negotiated the creation of a separate homeland for India’s Muslims. At midnight on August 15, 1947, the separate independent nations of India & Pakistan were born. This is known as partition. Immediately, the largest mass migration in history began, as Hindus & Muslims on the “wrong side” of new borders left their lives behind and set out for a new beginning.

7. What Happened During India’s Partition? 15 million Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims were displaced, crossing borders hoping for safety with their religious majority. Sectarian violence was extreme on all sides: rape, theft, and mutilation were common occurrences during Partition. Around one million people were violently murdered. 2-3 million people were reported missing, never arriving at their destinations. Nearly half a million female abduction & rape victims refused to go back to their families, fearing shame and lack of acceptance.