INDIA
In General:
 After World War 1, the British lacked the resources to strictly control its empire.
Therefore, the British reduced their commitments all around the world. Canada,
gained political independence during this time
India during and after World War 1:
 India was very loyal during the war, contributed money, sent 500,000 workers and
800,000 soldiers to assist Britain (really had no choice)
 India’s sacrifice earned them a spot at the Paris Peace conference
 To reward India, the British appointed more Indians to high government positions
and promised that India would be a self governing dominion in 1917.
 However, the British kept control over the national government and Indian were only
allowed to vote in provincial governments
 In 1918, British government in India made a new law which allowed for people to be
put in jail without trial and to have trials without juries. This law sparked violent
protests all over India
 The most violent protests were in the Punjab province. A British army group fired
into a crowd of protesters killing 379 and wounding over 1000.
 This was the spark that created a strong Indian Independence movement.
 Also, Muslim Indians were outraged and the destruction of the Ottoman empire after
the war (The Ottoman’s were a source of pride for all Muslims)
Mohanda (Mahatma) Gandhi
 Born in 1869 to rich parents, Gandhi practiced law unsuccessfully in India.
 He then moved to South Africa and used his skills as a lawyer to fight for the rights of
Indian immigrants
 While in South Africa, he developed a great reputation and attracted a large number
of followers
 He developed techniques for peaceful demonstration (Satyagraha – truth force)
 Within a few years of his return to India, Gandhi was given control over the Indian
Governments.
 His ideas:
1. 200,000 Britons ruled 400,000,000 Indians, if Indians refused to cooperate, the British couldn’t rule.
2. Everyone must support Independence, get rid of the Caste system and
religious differences between Hindu’s and Muslims
 To appeal to the common man and to promote Indian culture, he dressed in homemade Indian style clothes, walked barefoot, and preached peace, independence, and
social justice in simple terms to the common person
 Gandhi mobilized many peaceful demonstrations against the British. (Protests,
Strikes, Hunger Strikes)
 The best example is the Salt March in 1930, when he protested British control over
Indian Products by making his own salt from sea water.
 In 1935, Britain passed the India Act which allowed India some self government
 However, the British refused to let it go completely.