Colonialism: Imperialist India


During WW1, the British government enacted an emergency law which made it illegal to promote the idea of an independent Indian nation. The British claimed that this was done to ensure a victory in the World War.

The new law allowed the British to imprison anyone on suspicion alone without trail. They could also restrict freedom of speech, writing and movement. It was promised to stand for as long as the war. However, in 1919 the British government decided to extend the law indefinitely. This was known as the Rowlatt act. Over 1.2 million Indians fought for the British in the First World War but they were unable to talk publicly about independence.

Amritsar massacre

The following month, a large crowd gathered to peaceful protest the law. This was precisely what the law made illegal. Therefore, two British regiments closed in and stayed true to the warnings that were issued. They opened fire on the crowd, continuing while the civilians ran for their lives. About a thousand were killed and another thousand were injured. The British officer who gave the order didn't receive any punishment and was instead awarded a pension and early retirement for his service to the British Empire.

Mahatma Gandhi

This event inspired Mahatma Gandhi to promote his nonviolent resistance to British imperialism.

Born in India and married to his wife at 13 years old. Gandhi studied law in London. He practiced law in South Africa for 21 years protecting Indians from discrimination. He initially believed that adopting European clothes and customs would bring acceptance of Indian people. However, after being thrown off a train for sitting in first class and Indian, he came to believe that Indians should be respected, not because they acted like Europeans because they're human beings.

As he grew older, he transitioned out of the suit and tie of western custom and took to dressing in the robes of the common people in India.

Already disgusted with Indians getting treated will less rights and values than Europeans, when the British soldiers murdered a thousand people at the Amritsar massacre, Gandhi was inspired to make a difference.

Indian Independence Movement

Gandhi became the leader of the Indian National Congress. He organized boycotts and nonviolent resistance to the British Colonists. 

Gandhi's philosophy of making change was nonviolent resistance. Meaning resisting immoral laws but without violence. 


March 1922, Gandhi was imprisoned for sedition for two years. When Gandhi got released he organized a march across the country. The British imposed a tax on salt and made it illegal for people to make their own salt. Gandhi's march to Dandi, was with a big crowd of people. They went to Dandi to create their own salt. This got Gandi thrown back in jail and many with him. Gandhi's peaceful resistance was causing problems for the Colonists. So, the British government met with Gandhi and negotiated. They would allow Indians to make their own salt. In 1931, Gandhi went to London to advocate for Indian Independence. He wore his white robes and the cameras followed him everywhere.

Shortly after Gandhi's return to India, he was arrested again for encouraging people to disobey the British government. When war broke out again, 2.5 million Indians fought in the British Army in World War Two. Britain would talk of the war with Germany, as a war for freedom. All the while, members of the elected congress of India were imprisoned for staking a claim to that freedom.

During WW2, Britain again clamped down hard on India. The regular provisions of West Bengal were disrupted when the population increased, food was priorized for the British army and transportation of food was restricted in order to prevent the Japanese army who occupied Myanmar to capture the supplies. This resulted in the Bengal Famine of 1943.

In 1944, Gandhi's wife would die of illness while also locked up.

Independence!

At the end of the World War, India would be granted their independence in 1947.

Even after independence, India still had trouble. There was a lot of distrust between the Muslim Indians and Hindu Indians. Both groups looked up to Gandhi but they were violent and hostile with each other. Gandhi went on a hunger strike and the while country stopped to watch in concern. It temporarily stopped the violence but India would split into Muslim Pakistan and Hindu India.

Some Hindu's were unhappy with Gandhi's compassion towards Muslims. On January 30th, 1948, a Hindu extremist pulled a gun on Gandhi and shot him 3 times.

Legacy

Gandhi has inspired countless leaders around the world. Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance influenced Nelson Mandela and Martin Luthur King. King once said, "Christ gave us the goals and Mahatma Gandhi the tactics."

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