Indian Nationalism PDF

**UNIT 10: Lesson 1 -- The Rising Tide of Nationalism in East and South Asia** **Rising Tide of Nationalism in India** **World War 1 Heightens India's Nationalism** **Cause:** - **Indian Soldiers' Expectations After WWI:** - Indian soldiers who fought in World War I returned home in 191...

**UNIT 10: Lesson 1 -- The Rising Tide of Nationalism in East and South Asia** **Rising Tide of Nationalism in India** **World War 1 Heightens India's Nationalism** **Cause:** - **Indian Soldiers' Expectations After WWI:** - Indian soldiers who fought in World War I returned home in 1918 expecting that Britain would fulfill its promise of self-governance (swaraj) for India. - Instead, they were treated as second-class citizens, leading to frustration and disillusionment among the Indian populace. - **Radical Nationalist Response:** - The unmet promises of self-governance led to increasing resentment and anger toward British rule. - Radical nationalists responded with acts of violence to express their opposition to British colonial policies. **Process:** - **British Response with the Rowlatt Act (1919):** - In response to the growing unrest and acts of violence, the British government passed the **Rowlatt Act** in 1919. - The Act allowed for the arrest and detention of Indians without trial, suppressing political activism and curbing freedom of expression. - It was widely seen as an oppressive measure to maintain British control over India. **Effect:** - **Increased Unrest and Opposition to British Rule:** - The Rowlatt Act deepened resentment and anger among Indians, leading to widespread protests and civil disobedience. - The British colonial government\'s harsh response further fueled nationalist sentiments and calls for swaraj. - **Impact on Indian Independence Movement:** - The Act became a symbol of British oppression, uniting Indians across various regions and communities in their demand for independence. - The growing opposition set the stage for further anti-colonial movements, including the **Non-Cooperation Movement** led by Mahatma Gandhi. In summary, the British failure to honor their promises of self-governance after World War I, combined with the harsh repression of Indian dissent through the Rowlatt Act, significantly intensified the Indian nationalist movement and accelerated the push for independence. **Satyagraha** **Historical Context:** - After **WWI**, Indian troops returned home expecting self-governance, as promised by Britain, but were met with continued second-class treatment. - **British Response:** In retaliation to nationalist violence, Britain introduced the **Rowlatt Act (1919)**, which further escalated tensions and repression. **Definition of Satyagraha:** - **Sanskrit roots:** \"Satya\" (truth) + \"Agraha\" (clinging/insistence). - **Core principle:** Emphasizes truth, self-suffering, and peaceful resistance to oppression. **Gandhi\'s Philosophy:** - **Satyagraha** embodies **\"firmness in a good cause\"**, prioritizing self-sacrifice over harming others. - It is seen as a **\"matchless weapon\"** for non-violent resistance and achieving justice. **Cause:** - Gandhi\'s desire to fight against injustice and oppression without resorting to violence. - The need for a method to unite Indians and achieve independence from British rule. **Process:** - The concept of *Satyagraha* was introduced by Gandhi in 1915 as a method of non-violent resistance. - It involved clinging to truth (*Satya*) and non-violence, with self-suffering as a key principle. - Gandhi organized successful movements in Ahmedabad, Bihar, and Kheda to demonstrate the power of *Satyagraha*. - *Satyagraha* was a form of mass agitation that involved peaceful protests based on truth, tolerance, and non-violence. **Effect:** - *Satyagraha* became a powerful and successful tool in India's fight for independence, leading to the liberation from British imperialism. - The method united Indians, promoting a collective struggle grounded in the dharma of truth and non-violence. - It demonstrated that physical force was unnecessary for achieving a just cause. **Non-Cooperation Movement** **Cause:** - Sparked by the **Jallianwala Bagh Massacre** and the desire for Indian independence. - Triggered by growing unrest and opposition to British colonial rule. - Gandhi and the **Indian National Congress (INC)** sought a united, non-violent movement to challenge British authority. **Process:** - **Launch**: The movement was initiated by Gandhi under the direction of the INC at a session in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in September 1920 and formally launched in December 1920. - **Boycotts & Protests**: - Indians were encouraged to resign titles, boycott government institutions (courts, schools, elections), foreign goods, and refuse to pay taxes. - People were urged to withdraw from government jobs, quit British-controlled educational institutions, and boycott the British army. - Gandhi promoted the use of **Indian-made goods** and aimed for **Swarajya (self-rule)** through non-violent methods. - **Muslim Moplah Rebellion**: The revolt in Kerala (1921) and various violent outbreaks caused concern among moderate leaders. - **Chauri Chaura Incident** (February 1922): Violent clashes between police and a mob led Gandhi to call off the movement. **Effect:** - **Gandhi\'s Arrest**: Following the Chauri Chaura incident, Gandhi was arrested in March 1922, marking the end of the movement. - **Transition in Nationalism**: The movement marked a shift from middle-class leadership to mass-based participation in the Indian independence struggle. - **Strengthened Indian Unity**: For the first time, the INC presented a united front against British rule, and the movement gained significant support from the masses. - **Growth of Non-Violence**: Non-violent protest became a central strategy in India\'s fight for independence. - **Impact on British Government**: The movement visibly shook the British colonial authorities, as they faced united resistance from the Indian population. **Civil Disobedient Movement** **Cause:** - The failure of the **Non-Cooperation Movement** after the **Chauri Chaura incident** of 1922 left many Congress leaders demoralized, leading to a decline in the momentum of the nationalist movement. - Growing discontent with British colonial policies, especially **unjust laws and taxes**, fueled the desire for a more direct resistance. - **Gandhi\'s Ideals**: Gandhi advocated for **non-violent resistance** and **passive resistance** as a strategy to challenge British authority. **Process:** - **Leadership**: Mahatma Gandhi led the movement, urging Indians to defy British laws that were considered unjust. - **Methods**: - Indians were encouraged to refuse to follow colonial laws, refuse to pay taxes, and boycott British goods. - The movement focused on **non-cooperation** and **passive resistance**, avoiding violence. - The **Salt March** (1930) was a major event of this movement, symbolizing defiance against British salt laws. - **Mass Participation**: The movement gained widespread support, with millions participating in protests, strikes, and boycotts. - Large numbers of people were arrested, filling jails across India. - The protests attracted global attention, highlighting the Indian struggle for independence. **Effect:** - **Impact on British Authority**: While the movement didn't lead to immediate independence, it **weakened British colonial control** by showing the power of unified, non-violent resistance. - **International Attention**: The movement drew global attention to India's plight, garnering sympathy for the Indian cause. - **Stepping Stone to Independence**: It was a crucial phase in the Indian nationalist struggle, laying the groundwork for India's eventual independence in **1947**. **Salt March** **Cause:** - **Poorna Swarajya (Complete Independence)**: By 1930, the **Indian National Congress (INC)** had declared full independence as the primary goal of the freedom struggle. - **Salt Tax**: The British imposed a **Salt Tax** under the 1882 **Salt Act**, which gave them a monopoly on salt production and forced Indians to buy it from the British at a high price. This tax burdened the poor, especially since salt was an essential commodity. - **Civil Disobedience**: The INC decided to use **civil disobedience** as a means to achieve independence. Gandhi was asked to lead the first major act of defiance, and he chose to challenge the salt tax. - **Unified Protest**: Gandhi hoped that the issue of salt, affecting all Indians, would unite people across **religions and social classes**, including **Hindus** and **Muslims**. **Process:** - **Planning and Announcement**: Gandhi informed the British Viceroy, **Lord Irwin**, about his plan on **2nd March 1930**. He would lead a march from **Sabarmati Ashram** to the coastal village of **Dandi** to break the salt law. - **March Begins**: On **12th March 1930**, Gandhi and 80 followers began their **24-day march**, traveling through Gujarat villages. The march drew large crowds, and thousands of people joined daily. - **Non-Violence**: Gandhi emphasized strict non-violence during the march. - **Public Engagement**: Gandhi addressed large gatherings every evening, criticizing British rule, engaging foreign journalists, and writing articles for global media, which gained international attention for the Indian independence movement. - **Growing Participation**: By **5th April 1930**, the march had swelled to around **50,000** participants, including **Sarojini Naidu**. - **Breaking the Law**: On **6th April 1930**, Gandhi and his followers broke the salt law by making salt from seawater in Dandi. This act of defiance inspired thousands of Indians to follow suit. **Effect:** - **Global Attention**: The Salt March brought the **Indian independence struggle** into the global spotlight, making **Gandhi** a household name. - **Mass Participation**: The movement united millions of Indians in peaceful resistance, challenging British authority and the legitimacy of colonial rule. - **Government Response**: The British government, initially dismissive, responded with arrests and repression, but the protest had a significant psychological impact, weakening British control. - **Catalyst for Wider Protests**: The Salt March became a symbol of India\'s **nonviolent resistance** and laid the foundation for further acts of civil disobedience, contributing to India's eventual **independence in 1947**. **Lesson Summary:** India\'s path to independence from Britain was marked by protests and struggles, including key events like the Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, many non-violent movements played a crucial role in the fight for freedom. After decades of conflict, India gained independence on August 15, 1947, when the British withdrew and transferred power to the Indians.