Indian Independence

Growing Unrest In 1919, new laws from Britain Limited freedom of the press and other rights Protested by nationalists Five British officials killed in protests British General Reginald Dyer banned all public gatherings to combat protests NO PUBLIC GATHERSI NGS!-

Amritsar Massacre April 13, ,000+ Nationalists gather to defy orders of Dyer’s orders- Amritsar General Dyer- FIRE Some shot, others trampled 379 killed, more than 1,100 wounded

Amritsar Massacre Massacre deepened distrust between British and Indians Led to increased violence Made more Indians call for complete separation

Moving Toward Independence WWII broke out in 1939, and Britain became involved Indians had no desire to assist Britain in this war Indian National Council refused to support war unless they were granted immediate independence Britain refused such commands

Moving Towards Independence This refusal caused the “Quit India” movement Supported by Gandhi and other members of the INC Urged Indians to follow a policy of non-cooperation and civil disobedience with British More than 20,000 members arrested By Britain could not keep India after the war

Conflict between whom? What two groups have had the most conflict in Indian history? Who wanted a separate country?

The Subcontinent Divided rioting spread between Hindus and Muslims Britain passes the Indian Independence Act Ended British rule in India Subcontinent divided into two separate countries India and Pakistan

The Subcontinent Divided This partition led to an explosion of violence Why riot? What happens to Muslims and Hindus in each country? Gandhi refused to celebrate India’s independence on August 15, 1947 One year later, he was assassinated

India’s Government India’s constitution created a federal system They became a Parliamentary Democracy Based on British form of government President is head of state- has little power Two houses of Parliament The Rajya Sabha- Council of State The Lok Sabha- House of the People

India’s Government India has more than 12 national political parties Parties represent the interests of different caste, language, religious or regional groups The Bharata Janata Party dominates Parliament now

Dividing and Unifying Forces The population of India has more than doubled since independence Poverty and illiteracy are still widespread despite government attempts to change that The caste system is still a dividing force Untouchability made illegal Effects still felt

Dividing and Unifying Forces Cultural Diversity Language and ethnic groups want their own countries Sikh Separatism Religious minority in India Blends Islam and Hinduism One God and rejects caste system Sikh extremists occupy Golden Temple, refuse to leave Government ordered attack- many Sikhs killed

More Hindu- Muslim Clashes Many Muslims had fled to Pakistan Some did remain Clash over mosque in Ayodhya Hindus claim birthplace of the god Rama Hindus attack mosque Hundreds killed from both religions Plan to build Hindu temple sparked bloody rebellion and more than 600 Indians killed

Unifying Forces Despite all of the bad, there is a commitment to Democratic traditions Also, common faith of many Indians- Hinduism Modern communications and strong leaders also unifies India

India’s Leaders Jawaharlal Nehru led India for 17 years after independence Wanted to make India modern industrial nation Hoped to create a casteless, secular India No official religion Set up programs for schools and economic development

India’s Leaders Indira Gandhi Nehru’s Daughter Elected Prime Minister in tried to jail opponents and limit some freedoms Forced to return to democratic rule ordered troops to storm the Golden Temple Who was there? assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards because of her actions at the Golden Temple Rajiv Gandhi elected Prime Minister after his mother’s death Murdered by a group of Tamil Tigers in nearby Sri Lanka