British East India Company gained control of most India by mid 1800’s – Mughal Empire had declined

British government took direct control of India after the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 – Indians were treated as 2 nd class citizens – Many Indians wanted autonomy or self rule

The Indian National Congress (1885) – Primarily made up of Hindus – Pushed for self rule

The Muslim League – Formed to protect the interest of Muslims in India – Called for self rule

India had provided soldiers to help the British during WWI. – Over 1 million Indians had served with the Allies during WWI Great Britain had promised reforms and self-government for helping in the war – Britain never fulfilled this promise

Indian troops returned to India and were treated like 2 nd class citizens again – Led to anger and protests – Fueled the growth of nationalist movements

Britain passed the Rowlatt Acts to limit protests and dissent in India. – Allowed the British to jail protestors without trial for 2 years

Hindus and Muslim Indians gathered to protested British actions in April 1919 British troops fired on crowd of unarmed protestors – 400 protestors killed, 1200 wounded

Sparked tremendous anger Indian Reaction to Amritsar Massacre Increased support for nationalist movements Many people wanted Independence from British rule

Gandhi emerged as the leader of the Indian nationalist movement Became a national figure by supporting passive, non-violent resistance

How did WWI contribute to the rise of nationalism in India? Why was the Amritsar Massacre a turning point in the relationship between the people of India and Britain?

Gandhi emerged as the leader of the Indian nationalist movement Became a national figure by supporting passive, non-violent resistance

Was educated in England – Became a lawyer in South Africa Returned to India and began to to organize protests against British rule

Gandhi’s strategy for fighting injustice was influenced by his Hindu Faith – Nonviolence towards all living things

Gandhi believed that peaceful civil disobedience was necessary to end British rule in India – A deliberate and public refusal to obey a law considered unjust

Gandhi asked Indians to stop buying British products – He refused to wear clothes from British cloth – Encouraged Indians to make their own thread and cloth Shut down railroads and factories when people refused to work

Gandhi organized a 240 mile march to protest British monopoly on salt in India in 1930 – British required Indians to buy salt from the government and pay sales tax – Protesters marched to the sea to make their own salt – Nonviolent protesters were attacked and beaten by police on the way

Inspired millions of Indians to resist British rule Stories of peaceful protestors being attacked increased support around the world

Britain granted limited self rule in 1935 India gained full independence in 1947 – Country divided into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan

Gandhi assassinated in 1948