WWI: Causes and Indian Involvement

Study Notes

India was a British colony, automatically entering the war on Britain's side
Over 1.3 million Indian soldiers served in the war, with many casualties
India's contribution to the war effort included both human and material resources

A pan-Islamic movement that emerged in India during the war
Goal was to protect the Ottoman Empire's Caliphate (Islamic leadership) from Allied powers
Led by Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, who were influenced by Mahatma Gandhi
Demanded that the British government protect the Caliphate and ensure Turkey's territorial integrity
Movement was popular among Indian Muslims, who saw it as a way to assert their identity and solidarity with the global Islamic community

A nationwide movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, inspired by the Khilafat movement
Goal was to non-violently resist British rule in India and achieve Swaraj (self-rule)
Movement involved various forms of non-cooperation, including:
- Boycott of British goods and institutions
- Refusal to pay taxes
- Non-participation in British government and elections
- Use of Indian goods and services instead of British ones
Movement was suspended by Gandhi in 1922, following the Chauri Chaura incident where protesters turned violent

The Khilafat movement's focus on Islamic identity and solidarity influenced Gandhi's decision to launch the Non-Cooperation movement
Gandhi saw the Khilafat movement as an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims in a common struggle against British rule
The two movements shared a common goal of challenging British authority and achieving Indian independence

European powers competing for colonies and territories led to imperialism and colonial rivalries
Nationalism and militarism created an atmosphere of tension and aggression in various countries
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914 triggered the war
Complex system of alliances between European nations made it difficult to remain neutral

As a British colony, India automatically entered the war on Britain's side
Over 1.3 million Indian soldiers served in the war, with many casualties and sacrifices
India contributed significantly to the war effort, providing both human and material resources

Pan-Islamic movement emerged in India during the war to protect the Ottoman Empire's Caliphate
Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, led the movement
Demanded that the British government protect the Caliphate and ensure Turkey's territorial integrity
Popular among Indian Muslims, who saw it as a way to assert their identity and solidarity with the global Islamic community

Nationwide movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, inspired by the Khilafat movement
Aimed to non-violently resist British rule in India and achieve Swaraj (self-rule)
Involved various forms of non-cooperation, including boycotts, tax refusal, and non-participation in British government and elections
Suspension of the movement in 1922 followed the Chauri Chaura incident, where protesters turned violent

Khilafat movement's focus on Islamic identity and solidarity influenced Gandhi's decision to launch the Non-Cooperation movement
Gandhi saw the Khilafat movement as an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims in a common struggle against British rule
Shared goal of challenging British authority and achieving Indian independence