India Seeks Self-Rule

 India moved toward independence after WW I because they were frustrated with British rule.

1.WWI – More than a million Indians had served overseas suffering heavy casualties yet had no freedom at home. 2.Britain promised India greater self-government after the war, but instituted only minor reforms.

 There were many efforts at attaining self-rule 1.Congress Party – since 1855 had pressed for self-rule with the British empire and called for independence. Members were from the middle class and were western-educated elite who had little in common with the masses of Indian peasants. 2.In the 1920’s a new leader emerged, Mohandas Gandhi who united all Indians

 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.

Philosophy of Nonviolence –Embraced Hindu traditions to solve national problems 1.Ahimsa: Nonviolence & reverence for all life 2.Civil Disobedience: refusal to obey unjust laws (inspired by Henry David Thoreau) 3.Embraces Western ideas of democracy & nationalism Rejected inequalities of caste system Fought hard to end harsh treatment of untouchables Equal rights for all Indians

Gandhi continued Wore traditional village clothes – dhoti Series of nonviolent actions against British rule When protests led to violent riots by Indians, Gandhi would fast, pray & call on the Indians to practice self- control –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

 As a result of the Salt March and reports of the incident, the rest of the world begins placing pressure on the British to grant India self-rule 1.Britain slowly gave some power to the Indians 2.WWII interrupts plans of independence for India Some Indians help the British war effort Others outraged India has been drug into another war

1947 – India achieves independence Tensions between Muslims & Hindus increase and erupt into violence 1930’s Muhammad Ali Jinnah led the Muslim League 1.At first represents Muslim interests in the Congress Party 2.Later supports idea of a separate state for Muslims - Pakistan 3.Pakistan will be granted independence from India 4.East Pakistan will become Bangladesh

Border problems India Split: India (Hindu Majority) East and West Pakistan (Muslim Majority) These two nations would have a huge influence on the region from 1947 on…

 Overpopulation  1 billion & climbing.  Economic development.  Hindu-Muslim tensions.  Gender issues  dowry killings.  Caste bias  discrimination against untouchables continues.  The Kashmir dispute and nuclear weapons.  Political assassinations. Major problems & Issues in india today