WELCOME TO INDIA
THE SALT MARCH
To mobilize mass support in India, Mohandas Gandhi offered a challenge to the British government in April of 1930. He set out to end the British salt monopoly in India. Because Britain was in control over India’s government, the taxes that they set were collected to maintain the government. But throughout India the taxes were an evil burden on the poor and a symbol of British oppression. Using India’s location as beneficial, they are surrounded by water on three sides and the water contains natural salt available for free. Indians were forbidden to touch it, because they could only buy from salt from the government. Gandhi upset by this fact started a movement. He made it his challenge to fix this problem and led a 200 mile march to the sea. Starting with 70 followers and arriving at the sea with thousands he got what he wanted. Followers with him broke the laws by picking up handfuls of salt from the sea. Police soon arrested Gandhi and many others who followed his lead. In then end arrest were up to nearly 60,000 people including Gandhi. The salt march embarrassed Britain, which took pride in its democratic traditions. While in India, many were arrested. Gandhi’s campaign of nonviolence and self-sacrifice of his followers slowly forced Britain to agree and hand over some power to India. India’s complete independence from Britain would not be declared until 1947.
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
Civil disobedience is defined as the refusal to obey unjust laws. In other words citizens refusing to follow the rules in India and through a political protest refused to pay taxes and or fines. Mohandas Gandhi, a man promoting nonviolence throughout India, admired the works of Henry David Thoreau, and American philosopher, who believed in civil disobedience. In 1927 the British Government wanted a report on India, so they appointed a committee. The Simon Commission contained 7 members under the chairman of Liberal Lawyer, Sir John Simon and Clement Attlee. Not a single Indian as member was considered an insult to most Indians and they rose under leadership. Under Lalaji’s leadership they started a revolution. "Let the members understand that they are slaves in the eyes of the British Government and of the world. When they vote on the resolution let them remember that in 1919, because of a single epidemic, six crores of people died in our country. Let them remember that in this country ten crores of people do not have even one meal a day,” Lalaji preached. Lalaji became ill and died of a heart attack, but the revolution and boycott continued on and in fact acquired a new vigor. The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched under the leadership of Gandhi in 1930. He started the movement with his famous 240 mile Salt March to the sea. He broke the Salt Laws imposed by the British government and set an example to all of his followers. No one hesitated, even women joined the forces against the British. When released from prison Gandhi attended The Second Round Table Conference in London. At the conference the movement was said to be provoking landholders not to pay taxes, causing a serious economic crisis that took hold of the country. Because of this, the movement decided to restart and wanted the entire nation to join. The movement continued on strong for six months and then was suspended, when Mahatma Gandhi withdrew satyagraha on July 14th 1933. Although The Civil Disobedience Movement failed to achieve a positive outcome, it was an important juncture in the history of Indian independence.
Amritsar Massacre
April 1919, Britain troops fired at a crowd of unarmed Indian protestors in the town of Amritsar, India's holy city. Those that were killed were there protesting the English government because of the heavy war taxes that were placed. Britain had control over India's government during this time and had been placing new and heavier taxes on the people of India, to better the government. On April 13th, a large crowd jammed into a field in Amritsar and British commander, General Reginald Dyer, did not approve of the crowd. Earlier he had banned all public meetings, but clearly the Indians ignored his rule. At this point Dyer ordered his troops to fire, and they continued the shooting for ten minutes. A total of 379 unarmed protesters were shot dead by British soldiers and 1200 were injured. The massacre stirred feelings of many across India and had a major effect on leader Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi began organizing his campaign of civil disobedience against the British with many followers due to the massacre. The massacre was a turing point, it convinced many India's of the evils of the British rule. At this point, India would do anything to gain their independence and with Mohandas Gandhi as a strong motivated leader, they had high hopes of achieving their independence from the British.
Indian Nationalism
During World War One, more than a million of Indians had served overseas fighting for their country, suffering many casualties. As thousands died, Indian nationalists had become increasingly angry with the lack of freedom at home. Nationalists were protesting and revoting against the British and to quiet them, the British promised India self-government after war. But as you would assume, after war Britain proposed only a few minor reforms to India. Then came the Amritsar Massacre for when Britain cracked down on the protestors. From the massacre the new leader Mohandas Gandhi emerged and was able to unite all Indians behind the drive for independence from the British. Through a march to the sea, he united thousands of Indians who later became his followers and preached civil disobedience. In 1939, India was moving towards independence, for when World War Two started. Angry nationalists launched a campaign of noncooperation and were jailed immediately by the British. It was a perfect way to start of World War Two, because the nationalists motivation for independence increased day by day.
Post World War Two
When World War Two finally ended in 1945 the independence movement hit a problem involving the Hindu-Muslim violence. Britain agreed to the demands of the Indian nationalists involving India’s independence. India was then separated into two states, one Hindu and one Muslim. Riots between Hindu’s and Muslim’s helped convince Britain to divide the subcontinent. In 1947 Britain drew borders creating Hindu India and Muslim India.
To mobilize mass support in India, Mohandas Gandhi offered a challenge to the British government in April of 1930. He set out to end the British salt monopoly in India. Because Britain was in control over India’s government, the taxes that they set were collected to maintain the government. But throughout India the taxes were an evil burden on the poor and a symbol of British oppression. Using India’s location as beneficial, they are surrounded by water on three sides and the water contains natural salt available for free. Indians were forbidden to touch it, because they could only buy from salt from the government. Gandhi upset by this fact started a movement. He made it his challenge to fix this problem and led a 200 mile march to the sea. Starting with 70 followers and arriving at the sea with thousands he got what he wanted. Followers with him broke the laws by picking up handfuls of salt from the sea. Police soon arrested Gandhi and many others who followed his lead. In then end arrest were up to nearly 60,000 people including Gandhi. The salt march embarrassed Britain, which took pride in its democratic traditions. While in India, many were arrested. Gandhi’s campaign of nonviolence and self-sacrifice of his followers slowly forced Britain to agree and hand over some power to India. India’s complete independence from Britain would not be declared until 1947.
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
Civil disobedience is defined as the refusal to obey unjust laws. In other words citizens refusing to follow the rules in India and through a political protest refused to pay taxes and or fines. Mohandas Gandhi, a man promoting nonviolence throughout India, admired the works of Henry David Thoreau, and American philosopher, who believed in civil disobedience. In 1927 the British Government wanted a report on India, so they appointed a committee. The Simon Commission contained 7 members under the chairman of Liberal Lawyer, Sir John Simon and Clement Attlee. Not a single Indian as member was considered an insult to most Indians and they rose under leadership. Under Lalaji’s leadership they started a revolution. "Let the members understand that they are slaves in the eyes of the British Government and of the world. When they vote on the resolution let them remember that in 1919, because of a single epidemic, six crores of people died in our country. Let them remember that in this country ten crores of people do not have even one meal a day,” Lalaji preached. Lalaji became ill and died of a heart attack, but the revolution and boycott continued on and in fact acquired a new vigor. The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched under the leadership of Gandhi in 1930. He started the movement with his famous 240 mile Salt March to the sea. He broke the Salt Laws imposed by the British government and set an example to all of his followers. No one hesitated, even women joined the forces against the British. When released from prison Gandhi attended The Second Round Table Conference in London. At the conference the movement was said to be provoking landholders not to pay taxes, causing a serious economic crisis that took hold of the country. Because of this, the movement decided to restart and wanted the entire nation to join. The movement continued on strong for six months and then was suspended, when Mahatma Gandhi withdrew satyagraha on July 14th 1933. Although The Civil Disobedience Movement failed to achieve a positive outcome, it was an important juncture in the history of Indian independence.
Amritsar Massacre
April 1919, Britain troops fired at a crowd of unarmed Indian protestors in the town of Amritsar, India's holy city. Those that were killed were there protesting the English government because of the heavy war taxes that were placed. Britain had control over India's government during this time and had been placing new and heavier taxes on the people of India, to better the government. On April 13th, a large crowd jammed into a field in Amritsar and British commander, General Reginald Dyer, did not approve of the crowd. Earlier he had banned all public meetings, but clearly the Indians ignored his rule. At this point Dyer ordered his troops to fire, and they continued the shooting for ten minutes. A total of 379 unarmed protesters were shot dead by British soldiers and 1200 were injured. The massacre stirred feelings of many across India and had a major effect on leader Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi began organizing his campaign of civil disobedience against the British with many followers due to the massacre. The massacre was a turing point, it convinced many India's of the evils of the British rule. At this point, India would do anything to gain their independence and with Mohandas Gandhi as a strong motivated leader, they had high hopes of achieving their independence from the British.
Indian Nationalism
During World War One, more than a million of Indians had served overseas fighting for their country, suffering many casualties. As thousands died, Indian nationalists had become increasingly angry with the lack of freedom at home. Nationalists were protesting and revoting against the British and to quiet them, the British promised India self-government after war. But as you would assume, after war Britain proposed only a few minor reforms to India. Then came the Amritsar Massacre for when Britain cracked down on the protestors. From the massacre the new leader Mohandas Gandhi emerged and was able to unite all Indians behind the drive for independence from the British. Through a march to the sea, he united thousands of Indians who later became his followers and preached civil disobedience. In 1939, India was moving towards independence, for when World War Two started. Angry nationalists launched a campaign of noncooperation and were jailed immediately by the British. It was a perfect way to start of World War Two, because the nationalists motivation for independence increased day by day.
Post World War Two
When World War Two finally ended in 1945 the independence movement hit a problem involving the Hindu-Muslim violence. Britain agreed to the demands of the Indian nationalists involving India’s independence. India was then separated into two states, one Hindu and one Muslim. Riots between Hindu’s and Muslim’s helped convince Britain to divide the subcontinent. In 1947 Britain drew borders creating Hindu India and Muslim India.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/gandhi_mohandas.shtml>.
"Civil Disobedience Movement." Civil Disobedience Movement. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
<http://www.mapsofindia.com/personalities/gandhi/civil-disobedience.html>.
Ellis, Elisabeth Gaynor., and Anthony Esler. World History: Connections to Today. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1999. Print.
"Imperialism Strikes." Imperialism Strikes. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.freeindia.org/biographies/greatleaders/lalalajpatrai/page17.htm>.
"India 1900 to 1947." India 1900 to 1947. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/india_1900_to_1947.htm>.
"The Amritsar Massacre." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-amritsar-massacre>.
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/gandhi_mohandas.shtml>.
"Civil Disobedience Movement." Civil Disobedience Movement. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
<http://www.mapsofindia.com/personalities/gandhi/civil-disobedience.html>.
Ellis, Elisabeth Gaynor., and Anthony Esler. World History: Connections to Today. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1999. Print.
"Imperialism Strikes." Imperialism Strikes. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.freeindia.org/biographies/greatleaders/lalalajpatrai/page17.htm>.
"India 1900 to 1947." India 1900 to 1947. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/india_1900_to_1947.htm>.
"The Amritsar Massacre." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-amritsar-massacre>.