C-30 S-4 Nationalism in India and Southwest Asia Nationalism triggered independence movements to overthrow colonial power. These independent nations—India, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia – are key players on the world state today.

World War I Heightens Nationalist Activity Until World War I, the vast majority of Indians had little interest in nationalism. The situation changed as over a million Indians enlisted in the British army. In return for their service, the British government promised reforms that would eventually lead to self-government. Indian leaders expected to make gains once the war was over.

Gandhi’s Principles of Nonviolence Gandhi became the leader of India’s independence movement Gandhi advocated passive resistance or civil disobedience Led the famous “Salt March”

The Salt March and Gandhi 240 mile march to the sea coast led by Gandhi. It was to protest the British imposed high salt tax. Gandhi urged Indians to boycott British cloth and not to buy British goods, attend government schools, pay British taxes, or vote in elections. This began to take a heavy economic toll on the British.

Great Britain & India Gandhi and his followers gradually reaped the rewards of their civil disobedience In 1935, the British Parliament passed the Government of India Act. It provided for local self-government and limited democratic elections. India began moving toward full independence from Great Britain. This increased tensions between Muslims and Hindus.

By the end of World War I, Turkey was all that remained of the Ottoman Empire.

In 1935, Persia becomes Iran

During the 1920 and 1930s, European and American companies discover huge deposits of oil in Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait

Fact #1 Nationalism is when citizens are loyal to their nation rather than to a king or empire

Fact #2 Indians were upset with Britain after World War I because they were not granted the independence that they had been promised.

Fact #3 Most Indians at this time were Hindu, with Islam being the minority religion.

Fact #4 Mahatma Gandhi was the leader of India’s independence movement who advocated a policy of civil disobedience

Fact #5 Turkey was all that remained of the Ottoman Empire

Fact #6 In 1935, Persia was renamed Iran

Important Facts Nationalism triggered independence movements to overthrow colonial power. These independent nations—India, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia – are key players on the world state today.