Nationalism in India
and Vietnam: The
Fight Against
Colonial Control
7th Grade Geography
SS7H3 The student will analyze continuity and change
in Southern and Eastern Asia leading to the 21st
century.
a. Describe how nationalism led to independence in India
and Vietnam.
b. Describe the impact of Mohandas Gandhi’s belief in nonviolent protest.
Key Ideas
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Nationalism- a belief that people should be
loyal to those whom they share a common
history, customs, origins, and sometimes
language or religion.
Colonialism- a practice of domination, the
control or governing influence of a nation
over a dependent country, territory, or
people.
Independence- freedom from the control,
influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.
Indian Nationalism Grows
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Two groups form in India
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Hindus and Muslims
Both hated the British
Learned about nationalism while fighting in
the British Army during WWI
When they returned from the war—treated as
second-class citizens
Indian Nationalism Grows
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Indians applies European views of
nationalism and democracy
India
Indian National Congress
Muslim League
-Even though Hindus and Muslim were divided,
they had the same goal: Independence
Nationalist Activity
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India wanted self-government
Joined the British army
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thought they would gain more rights in
government
But NO, still treated poorly
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Angered Indians acted violently
British Governments formed
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“Rowlatt Act” : protesters in prison without trial.
Educated Indians denied this law, rebelled
Amritsar Massacre
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Hindus and Muslim gather
in Amritsar
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angered British
British government forbid
public meetings.
British commander told the
army to kill them-> 400 died.
1200 wounded
Angered India
 Loyal Indians
revolutionaries and
nationalists
Mohandas K. Gandhi
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Gandhi: Leader of Independence
movement
Politically acted with his religious
ideas
Called Mahatma = “GREAT SOUL”
The Gandhi Rap
Civil Disobedience
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Stated principle of satyagraha=
“truth-force,” “civil
disobedience”
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Disobeying unfair laws
Gandhi required “No Violence”
Purpose: weaken British
government and economy
 Don’t do things that will help
British.
 Boycott of British cloth

Dropped British cloth sales
Salt March
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Indians could only buy salt
from British government
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walked 240 miles to the
seacoast
 > “Salt March”
Made their own salt
Tried to shut down British
salt works, but failed and
were attacked by the Police
Gandhi and 60,000 people
were arrested
India Self-Rule
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Indians gain political power
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Government of India Act: providing selfgovernment
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Helped move closer to full independence
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Muslims & Hindus fought for more power
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Short Biography of Gandhi
Vietnamese Nationalism
Historical Background
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In the Early 1900’s the French controlled an area in
Southeastern Asia called Indochina
This later came to be called Vietnam
French wanted control of the rich agricultural products
and natural resources of this area
How do you think the Vietnamese felt?
History of Nationalism
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Vietnam worked hard to maintain freedom from China. (a very
powerful neighbor)
They saw themselves as different from other Southeastern Asian
countries (sense of pride and nationalism!)
They also rejected French colonial rule
Ho Chi Minh (Nationalist Leader)
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He worked for
Vietnamese
Independence from the
French
He chose the Communist
Party as the vehicle to
challenge colonialism
Communists were
generally critical of
colonialism
Ho Chi Minh staged
protests with his
Communists Party
Vietminh League
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Independence was the goal
They believed the French would give up
control after WW II (The French did not)
They fought the French for nine years
People in the countryside sided with Ho Chi
Minh
The French gave up control in 1954 after
years of fighting
Ho Chi Minh
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Communism-a social structure in which classes are
abolished and property is commonly controlled, as
well as a political philosophy and social movement
that advocates and aims to create such a society.
U.S did not like a communist leader running a
country
U.S. felt communism would spread to other Asian
countries (contain)
The U.S. went to war against North Vietnam
Nationalism was extremely high
Vietnam Unified
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The North and South unified
Vietnam became a Communist country
(Republic of Vietnam)