Indian Independence

1
Indian Independence

• 9.1-9.2

2
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 GATHERSINGS!-
3
Amritsar Massacre

• April 13, 1919
• 10,000 Nationalists gather to defy orders of
  Dyers orders- Amritsar
• General Dyer- FIRE
• Some shot, others trampled
• 379 killed, more than 1,100 wounded

4
Amritsar Massacre

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

5
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

6
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 1945- Britain could not keep India after the
  war

7
Conflict between whom?

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

8
The Subcontinent Divided

• 1946- rioting spread between Hindus and Muslims
• 1947- Britain passes the Indian Independence Act
• Ended British rule in India
• Subcontinent divided into two separate countries
• India and Pakistan

9
(No Transcript)
10
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 Indias independence
  on August 15, 1947
• One year later, he was assassinated

11
Indias Government

• Indias 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

12
Indias 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

13
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

14
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
• 1984- Sikh extremists occupy Golden Temple,
  refuse to leave
• Government ordered attack- many Sikhs killed

15
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
• 1992- Hindus attack mosque
• Hundreds killed from both religions
• 2002- Plan to build Hindu temple sparked bloody
  rebellion and more than 600 Indians killed

16
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

17
Indias 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

18
Indias Leaders

• Indira Gandhi
• Nehrus Daughter
• Elected Prime Minister in 1966
• 1975- tried to jail opponents and limit some
  freedoms
• Forced to return to democratic rule
• 1984- ordered troops to storm the Golden Temple
• Who was there?
• 1984- assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards
  because of her actions at the Golden Temple
• Rajiv Gandhi elected Prime Minister after his
  mothers death
• Murdered by a group of Tamil Tigers in nearby Sri
  Lanka