Notes on the Road to Independence
The Indian Subcontinent Achieves Freedom: Chapter 34 Section 1
I. Setting the Stage A. People are reconsidering the policy of colonialism. 1. After WWII, people questioned whether dictatorship was a good idea. 2. “All nations should be free from the power of other nations.” 3. Keeping colonies had a high cost. It wasn’t worth it. 4. Colonized people pressed harder for freedom. Ex: British-held India
II. A Movement Toward Independence A. The Indian’s strive to freedom intensifies. 1. British had power over India for 2 centuries. 2. Britain drafted Indians into WWII in 1939 without the consent of the the colony’s representatives. 3. Gandhi launched civil disobedience and many who followed were arrested. 4. To gain favor of the Indians, Britain promised government changes after WWII, but didn’t offer freedom. B. Besides colonialism, India struggles with internal conflict. 1. They have religious disagreements.
350 million Hindus
100 million Muslims 2. The Congress Party (aka Indian National Congress: India’s national political party) was made up mostly of Hindus, and a few Muslims.
C. The Muslim League is created.
1. The Muslim League (1906) is the organization against the mostly Hindu Congress Party, aimed to protect Muslim interest.
2. (The leader) Muhammad Ali Jinnah asked all Muslims to leave the Congress party. He would not accept independence from Britain if it meant staying under Hindu rule.
III. Freedom Brings Turmoil A. The decision of who receives power is being made. 1. The British lost much wealth after WWII, and was ready to turn over their power, since keeping up with colonies was costly.
2. The power will either be given to Hindus or Muslims.
B. Muslims resisted Hindu domination. 1. Rioting broke out and in 1946, there were 20,000 casualties in a 4 day clash in Calcutta.
C. Pakistan was created. 1. To maintain peace, Britain decided to partition (division of Indian religions into separate
I. Setting the Stage A. People are reconsidering the policy of colonialism. 1. After WWII, people questioned whether dictatorship was a good idea. 2. “All nations should be free from the power of other nations.” 3. Keeping colonies had a high cost. It wasn’t worth it. 4. Colonized people pressed harder for freedom. Ex: British-held India
II. A Movement Toward Independence A. The Indian’s strive to freedom intensifies. 1. British had power over India for 2 centuries. 2. Britain drafted Indians into WWII in 1939 without the consent of the the colony’s representatives. 3. Gandhi launched civil disobedience and many who followed were arrested. 4. To gain favor of the Indians, Britain promised government changes after WWII, but didn’t offer freedom. B. Besides colonialism, India struggles with internal conflict. 1. They have religious disagreements.
350 million Hindus
100 million Muslims 2. The Congress Party (aka Indian National Congress: India’s national political party) was made up mostly of Hindus, and a few Muslims.
C. The Muslim League is created.
1. The Muslim League (1906) is the organization against the mostly Hindu Congress Party, aimed to protect Muslim interest.
2. (The leader) Muhammad Ali Jinnah asked all Muslims to leave the Congress party. He would not accept independence from Britain if it meant staying under Hindu rule.
III. Freedom Brings Turmoil A. The decision of who receives power is being made. 1. The British lost much wealth after WWII, and was ready to turn over their power, since keeping up with colonies was costly.
2. The power will either be given to Hindus or Muslims.
B. Muslims resisted Hindu domination. 1. Rioting broke out and in 1946, there were 20,000 casualties in a 4 day clash in Calcutta.
C. Pakistan was created. 1. To maintain peace, Britain decided to partition (division of Indian religions into separate