Indonesia DBQ
1) When was the idea of a separate homeland for Muslims first
introduced?
Answer- 1930's
2) Who was one of the biggest proponents of a separate Muslim state?
Answer- Muhammad Ali Jinnah
3) Why did some Muslim leaders want a separate Muslim state? What
worried them about a united India?
Answer- Muslim leaders worried Muslims would be a permanent
minority in a fully independent India. A separate state would allow them
to Majority.
4) Why might some blame the British for the violence that resulted from
Partition?
Answer- In March 1947 the British government sent Louis Mountbatten
to India to determine a plan for transferring power to Indians before June
1948. This resulted in 15 million migrations, and between 300,000 to 1
million refugees losing their lives.
1) (Sourcing) Who wrote this document? What do you suppose his
purpose was in writing a book about India at this time?
Answer- Jawaharlal Nehru probably wrote this book to explain his
vision for India as part of the independence movement.
2) (Close reading) What are two reasons the speaker opposes the
creation of a separate state for Muslims?
Answer- He opposes the creation of a Muslim state because Hindus and
Muslims are not located in any specific place but are spread throughout
India. Also, he argues there are many religious minorities not just
Muslims. Second, he argues that it will hurt the Muslim minority the
most.
3) (Close reading) What does Nehru mean when he accuses the
supporters of a separate Pakistan of moving on the “emotional plane”?
Answer- Because of these contradictions, Nehru argues that the drive for
a Muslim state stems from emotions of fear and insecurity. The failure to
address problems regarding the creation of a ‘Pakistan’ would only
produce bigger problems.
4) (Contextualization) Both Jinnah and Nehru are writing before Great
Britain has granted India independence. In other words, the argument
over whether India should be split is occurring against the backdrop of
the fight for Indian independence. How might this context have affected
what Jinnah and Nehru are saying in these documents?
Answer- It would have been a situation of high tension and frustration
on the part of these leaders. It was also a time when the British would
want to take advantage of divisions within the movement.
1) (Sourcing) Who is speaking in this document?
Answer- Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last British leader of India
2) (Sourcing) What type of document is this?
Answer- An excerpt from an interview
3) (Sourcing) When was this document written? Why is this important?
Answer- The interview took place after Indian independence and the
death of Jinnah. It provides some hindsight regarding how events
progressed. Also, Jinnah’s death means he can speak more frankly about
himself.
4) (Close reading) According to Mountbatten, what role did Jinnah play
in the decision to split India rather than keep it unified?
Answer- He suggests that Jinnah was the singular figure in promoting a
Muslim state.
3) (Close reading) According to Mountbatten, why was it “almost
criminal” that he didn’t know that Jinnah was dying?
Answer- He believes that he could have negotiated Indian independence
differently.
1) (Sourcing) What type of document is this?
Answer- A History Book
2) (Sourcing) How does this source differ from all the others? Do you
think it’s more or less reliable? Explain.
Answer- It is a secondary document. It is reliable because it has access
to many documents and can evaluate different perspectives on the issue.
3) (Close reading) According to Wolpert, who was responsible for the
failure of partition? Explain.
Answer- Wolpert argues that Mountbatten messed up the process by
hastily deciding to split India and drawing the line without care. He
should have used the time better to create more dialogue and negotiate a
better settlement.