1900 - Present

Name: __________________________
Period:_________________________
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India: 1900-Present
Introduction
Great Britain had colonized the country of India during the 1700's.
Indian nationalistic movements, such as ones led by the Indian
National Congress, had made attempts at self-rule but had never
been completely successful. The great proponent of a free India,
Mohandas K. Gandhi, was instrumental in the Indian Nationalist
Movement. Known as the Mahatma, or the Great Soul, Gandhi
forced change and an end to British imperialism through a strict
policy of non-violence, or passive resistance.
Examples of his civil disobedience included boycotts such as the
Salt March, and hunger strikes. He also forced change at home by
attempting to do away with the Hindu caste system. The rigid caste
system separated religious and political classes from lower classes
of laborers and outcasts with no hope at social mobility.
Violent episodes, such as the Amritsar Massacre, plagued India's movement to become free. Great Britain,
weakened by its efforts in World War II, finally conceded to Indian nationalist demands in 1948.
Despite the influence of Gandhi, India fell into disorder. Hindu people wanted an all-Hindu state and Muslims,
led by the Muslim League, wanted a separate state. Gandhi was assassinated because of this conflict.
Eventually, Pakistan was formed as a separate Muslim state. Therefore, the strength and will of the common
people both achieved Indian independence and tore India apart. The story of Mahatma Gandhi and Indian
nationalism is one of history's greatest ironies.
Questions:
1) What are two examples of civil disobedience?

2) Besides independence, what else did Gandhi fight against?

3) How was the problem between Hindus and Muslims solved?

India: 1900-Present
Notes
I. The Amritsar Massacre (1919)
A. Indian nationals gather and attack British citizens in the city of Amritsar
B. The British ban public meetings
C. April 13 - British troops open fire on a gathering and kill 400 while wounding 1,200
II. Mohandas Gandhi (1920s and 30s)
A. Gandhi headed the Indian nationalists movement.
1. He began his career in South Africa and later came to India.
2. He taught that non-violence was the way to meet your goals (civil disobedience).
3. He boycotted British goods, went on hunger strikes, and made his own clothing at home.
4. His most famous protest was the Salt March.
B. Other beliefs
1. He also believed in ending the caste system
2. Wanted to create equal rights for everyone
C. Death of Gandhi
1. Assassinated in 1948
III. Indian Independence
A. India gains independence in 1947
1. Jawaharlal Nehru becomes the first Prime Minister of the country.
B. Conflicts
1. Muslims and Hindus struggled to live together and when the British gave them their
independence they created two countries. A Muslim country (Pakistan and later Bangladesh) and
a Hindu Country (India).
2. As groups moved into their regions fights began causing many deaths.
3. Today there is still tension between the sides with regular border disputes.
IV. Indian Government and Foreign Policy
A. Democratic Nation
1. India has a federal government with a strong central government and several small local
governments.
2. Nehru dies in 1966 handing the Prime Minister position to his daughter Indira Gandhi. She
rules until a religious conflict causes her assassination in 1984.
B. Nonalignment
1. India did not side with free or communist nations during the Cold War.
IV. Social Change
A. The Caste System
1. During the 1900s the system will see a change that leads to discrimination laws being passed
to help untouchables gain more rights. Some change has occurred in cities but it still holds
strong in rural areas.
B. Status of Women
1. The Constitution of 1950 also increased rights for women. They could now vote, divorce, and
inherit property.

V. Sikh Separatism
A. Sikh - religion that blends the ideas of Hinduism and Islam together.
B. In the 80s this group wanted self-rule but that was suppressed with troops and killings.
C. Indira Gandhi will be assassinated by two Sikh bodyguards. There is still tension today.
VI. Modern India/Pakistan
A. India current has the worlds second largest population.
B. India and Pakistan have both demonstrated that they posses nuclear weapons.
1. These two groups still have border bickering over the control of a region known as the
Kashmir region.