The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | End of the British Empire | India
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The campaign for greater self-rule for India began in 1885. During the 20th century the
demands grew stronger and stronger. India finally became independent in 1947, although
in fact the British-ruled area became two states - India and Pakistan. As you study the
sources, look for reasons why British rule ended. The sources may provide evidence that
one or more of these factors were important:
1. The British left India as soon as the people there wanted them to.
2. The British left because of the actions of important individuals.
3. The British were forced out by peaceful political protests.
4. The British were forced out by armed resistance.
5. The British wanted to leave because the area was causing them problems.
6. The British left because they felt the country was ready to rule itself
democratically.
As you study each source, decide whether it supports any of these factors. When you have
looked at all of the sources and the Background, try to decide on the relative importance
of these factors.
Use the Worksheet to record your ideas.
The Background will give you an introduction to the end of British rule in India.
1. Cartoon on events at
Amritsar, 1919
2. Indian National
Congress resolution, 1930
3. Speech by Winston
Churchill, 1931
4. Secret telegram about
Gandhi, 1943
5. British memo on
Gandhi’s actions, 1944
6. Film on the end of
British rule, 1947
7. British government
report on India, 1947
8. Report after
assassination of Gandhi,
1948
9. British paper on
democracy in India, 1959
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The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | End of the British Empire | India | Source 1
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Cartoon published in 1919 commenting on events at Amritsar
(Centre for the Study of Cartoons, University of Kent: LSE 6183, David Low)
1 Study this source carefully. Ask
yourself whether the source supports or
contradicts the view that:
●
●
●
●
●
The British left India as soon as
the people wanted them to
The British left because of the
actions of important individuals
The British were forced out by
peaceful political protests
The British were forced out by
armed resistance
The British wanted to leave
because the area was causing
them problems
2 If you were an admirer of the British
empire, explain whether you would be
able to use this source to support your
viewpoint.
3 If you were a critic of the British
empire, explain whether you would be
able to use this source to support your
viewpoint.
4 What impression do you get of British
rule from this cartoon?
Background | Worksheet
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The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | End of the British Empire | India | Source 2
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Extracts from the Independence Day Resolution passed by the Indian National Congress in 1930
(By permission of The British Library: T672, John Lane, Jawaharlal Nehru: An Autobiography, 1936)
2b
2a
1 Study this source carefully. Ask yourself whether the source supports or contradicts the view that:
●
●
●
●
●
The
The
The
The
The
British
British
British
British
British
left India as soon as the people wanted them to
left because of the actions of important individuals
were forced out by peaceful political protests
were forced out by armed resistance
wanted to leave because the area was causing them problems
2 If you were an admirer of the British empire, explain whether you would be able to use this source to support
your viewpoint.
3 If you were a critic of the British empire, explain whether you would be able to use this source to support your
viewpoint.
4 What does this source tell you about the views of Indian nationalists in 1930?
Background | Worksheet
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Source 2a
Extracts from the Independence Day Resolution passed by the Indian National Congress in 1930
(By permission of The British Library: T672, John Lane, Jawaharlal Nehru: An Autobiography, 1936)
Source 2b
Extracts from the Independence Day Resolution passed by the Indian National Congress in 1930
(By permission of The British Library: T672, John Lane, Jawaharlal Nehru: An Autobiography, 1936)
The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | End of the British Empire | India | Source 3
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A speech made by Winston Churchill in 1931
(G Bennett, The Concept of Empire, 1953)
1 Study this source carefully. Ask
yourself whether the source supports or
contradicts the view that:
●
●
●
●
●
The British left India as soon as
the people wanted them to
The British left because of the
actions of important individuals
The British were forced out by
peaceful political protests
The British were forced out by
armed resistance
The British wanted to leave
because the area was causing
them problems
2 If you were an admirer of the British
empire, explain whether you would be
able to use this source to support your
viewpoint.
3 If you were a critic of the British
empire, explain whether you would be
able to use this source to support your
viewpoint.
4 What are the main arguments
Churchill puts forward against Indian
independence?
Background | Worksheet
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The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | End of the British Empire | India | Source 4
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Secret telegram from the Viceroy of India to the British government commenting on Indian nationalist leader Gandhi
in 1943
(PRO ref: PREM 4/49/3)
1 Study this source carefully. Ask yourself whether the source supports or contradicts the view that:
●
●
●
●
●
The
The
The
The
The
British
British
British
British
British
left India as soon as the people wanted them to
left because of the actions of important individuals
were forced out by peaceful political protests
were forced out by armed resistance
wanted to leave because the area was causing them problems
2 If you were an admirer of the British empire, explain whether you would be able to use this source to support
your viewpoint.
3 If you were a critic of the British empire, explain whether you would be able to use this source to support your
viewpoint.
4 Is there any evidence here that Gandhi's non-violent methods of protest against British rule were effective?
Background | Worksheet
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The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | End of the British Empire | India | Source 5
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Secret memo from the British government on Gandhi's actions in 1944
(PRO ref: PREM 4/49/3)
5b
5a
5c
1 Study this source carefully. Ask yourself whether the source supports or contradicts the view that:
●
●
●
●
●
The
The
The
The
The
British
British
British
British
British
left India as soon as the people wanted them to.
left because of the actions of important individuals.
were forced out by peaceful political protests
were forced out by armed resistance.
wanted to leave because the area was causing them problems.
2 If you were an admirer of the British empire, explain whether you would be able to use this source to support
your viewpoint.
3 If you were a critic of the British empire, explain whether you would be able to use this source to support your
viewpoint.
4 Is there any evidence here that Gandhi was an important figure in the campaign for Indian independence?
Background | Worksheet
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Source 5a
Secret memo from the British government on Gandhi's actions in 1944
(PRO ref: PREM 4/49/3)
Source 5b
Secret memo from the British government on Gandhi's actions in 1944
(PRO ref: PREM 4/49/3)
Source 5c
Secret memo from the British government on Gandhi's actions in 1944
(PRO ref: PREM 4/49/3)
The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | End of the British empire | India
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A British newsreel from 1947 commenting on the end of British rule in India
(British Pathe: 1193.16, India Takes Over)
file size: 834KB
file size: 2.2MB
file size: 5.5MB
1 Study this source carefully. Ask
yourself whether the source supports or
contradicts the view that:
●
●
●
●
●
The British left India as soon as
the people wanted them to
The British left because of the
actions of important individuals
The British were forced out by
peaceful political protests
The British were forced out by
armed resistance
The British wanted to leave
because the area was causing
them problems
2 If you were an admirer of the British
empire, explain whether you would be
able to use this source to support your
viewpoint.
Running time: 2mins 58secs
help?
get plugin
3 If you were a critic of the British
empire, explain whether you would be
able to use this source to support your
viewpoint.
4) How does the newsreel portray
Britain's role in ruling India and in giving
India independence?
5) According to the newsreel, what
problems and challenges is the newly
independent India facing?
Background | Worksheet
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The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | End of the British Empire | India | Source 7
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British government report on the state of India in 1947
(PRO ref: DO 142/259)
7a
7b
1 Study this source carefully. Ask
yourself whether the source supports or
contradicts the view that:
●
●
●
●
●
The British left India as soon as
the people wanted them to
The British left because of the
actions of important individuals
The British were forced out by
peaceful political protests
The British were forced out by
armed resistance
The British wanted to leave
because the area was causing
them problems
2 If you were an admirer of the British
empire, explain whether you would be
able to use this source to support your
viewpoint.
3 If you were a critic of the British
empire, explain whether you would be
able to use this source to support your
viewpoint.
Background | Worksheet
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Glossary | World Maps
Source 7a
British government report on the state of India in 1947
(PRO ref: DO 142/259)
Source 7b
British government report on the state of India in 1947
(PRO ref: DO 142/259)
The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | End of the British Empire | India | Source 8
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Report from British officials in India after the assassination of Gandhi in 1948
(PRO ref: DO 142/307)
8a
8b
8c
1 Study this source carefully. Ask
yourself whether the source supports or
contradicts the view that:
●
●
●
●
●
The British left India as soon as
the people wanted them to
The British left because of the
actions of important individuals
The British were forced out by
peaceful political protests
The British were forced out by
armed resistance
The British wanted to leave
because the area was causing
them problems
2 What evidence does this source
provide historians with in terms of the
importance of Gandhi?
Background | Worksheet
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Glossary | World Maps
Source 8a
Report from British officials in India after the assassination of Gandhi in 1948
(PRO ref: DO 142/307)
Source 8b
Report from British officials in India after the assassination of Gandhi in 1948
(PRO ref: DO 142/307)
Source 8c
Report from British officials in India after the assassination of Gandhi in 1948
(PRO ref: DO 142/307)
The National Archives Learning Curve | British Empire | End of the British Empire | India | Source 9
Home > Gallery > Case Study > Source
British government paper on the strength of democracy in India in 1959
(PRO ref: CAB 21/4571)
1 Study this source carefully. Ask yourself whether the source supports or contradicts the view that:
●
●
●
●
●
The
The
The
The
The
British
British
British
British
British
left India as soon as the people wanted them to
left because of the actions of important individuals
were forced out by peaceful political protests
were forced out by armed resistance
wanted to leave because the area was causing them problems
Background | Worksheet
Feedback | Credits | Sitemap | Help
http://learningcurve.pro.gov.uk/empire/g3/cs3/g3cs3s9.htm
Glossary | World Maps