Indian Independence Movement
British policies and the demand for self-rule led to the rise of the Indian independence
movement, resulting in the creation of new states in the Indian sub-continent.
The U.N. Charter of 1945 stated that nations had a right to self-determination and equality.
The Republic of India, a democratic nation, developed after
independence.
Regional setting for the Indian Independence Movement:
- Indian sub-continent.
- British India.
- India.
- Pakistan (former West Pakistan)
- Bangladesh (former East Pakistan)
- Sri Lanka (former Ceylon)
Evolution of Indian Independence:
- British rule in India. The East India Company ruled India though the establishment of
trading posts and commercial activity in the early 1600’s. In 1857, the British government
dissolved the East India Company and sent a viceroy (governor) to take
over the company’s territory.
- Indian National Congress. In 1885, the Indian National Congress
worked for greater self-government for Indians.
- Leadership of Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948). Gandhi was best
known for his peaceful resistance to British rule. He organized boycotts
and marches. His leadership attracted wide support and forced Britain to
pass reforms.
- Ceylon gained independence from Britain in 1972 and took the name
Sri Lanka.
- Role of civil disobedience and passive resistance.
- Political division along Hindu-Muslim line, Pakistan/India. Because of increasing
tensions between Muslims and Hindus, Britain decided to divide the Indian sub-continent
into two countries. Pakistan was where the Muslims were the majority and India was
where the Hindus were the majority. Both nations were granted independence in 1947.
- Pakistan was a non-contiguous country (East
Pakistan and West Pakistan). Political differences led
to the independence movement of East Pakistan. East
Pakistan declared independence and took the name Bangladesh.
Indian Democracy:
- Republic of India was the world’s largest democratic nation. The
federal system gives many powers to the state.
- 1950 Constitution sought to prohibit caste
discrimination.
- Jawaharlal Nehru – a close associate of Gandhi, supported
western style industrialization.
- Ethnic and religious differences caused problems in the
development of India as a democratic nation.
- New economic development has helped to ease financial
problems of the nation by the 1990’s.
Priests
Warriors
Merchants and
Landowners
Commoners, Peasants, and
Servants
Untouchables, Latrine Cleaners, Street
Sweepers (Outcasts-Out of Caste)
Africa and the Middle East
The charter of the United Nations guaranteed colonial populations in the right to selfdetermination. Independence movements in Africa challenged European imperialism.
The Independence Movement in Africa:
- Right to self-determination (U.N. charter). This is the right of the people to choose their
own form of government.
- Peaceful and violent revolutions after World War II.
- Pride in African cultures and heritage.
- Resentment toward imperial rule and economic
exploitation.
- Loss of colonies by Great Britain, France, Belgium,
and Portugal.
- Influence of superpower rivalry during the Cold War.
The United States and Soviet Union competed for alliances in
Africa.
Examples of Independence Movements:
- West Africa: Ghana was a British colony that achieved a peaceful
transition to independence by using general strikes by African workers.
Independence came in 1957.
- Kenya: A British colony, Kenya experienced a violent struggle for independence under
the leadership of Kenyatta who met with British officials in the 1920’s and 1930’s. The
British allowed Europeans to seize coffee plantations in Kenya. Independence came in
1963.
- Algeria: The struggle for independence from France was violent. Since the 1830’s,
French colonies or settlers had taken the best land or jobs. Independence was gained in
1962 after much warfare and many deaths.
- South Africa: Independence was gained in 1910. Whites there continued to control the
government; Black South Africans were denied many rights, including voting. Nationalist
Dutch Afrikaners legalized apartheid, Apartheid was the segregation of races in South
Africa. The U.S. and other nations stopped investments in South Africa and imposed
political sanctions because of these repressive actions. After international pressure and
economic sanctions Apartheid ended. Nelson Mandela was
elected the first black President of the Republic of South
Africa (1994) and after blacks were given voting rights.
Mandates and the Middle East
The mandate system established after World War I was phased out after World War II.
With the end of the mandates, new states were created in the Middle East. A mandate is a
territory administered by another country before independence. Because of large ethnic
minorities and religious differences, there have
been many conflicts in this area.
Mandates in the Middle East:
- Established by the League of Nations.
- Granted independence after WWII.
- Resulted in Middle East conflicts
created by religious differences.
French Mandates in the Middle East:
- Syria.
- Lebanon.
British Mandates in the Middle East:
- Jordan (originally Transjordan).
- Palestine (part became independent as the State of Israel in
1948).
Golda Meir:
- Prime Minister of Israel in 1969.
- After initial setbacks, led Israel to victory in Yom Kippur
War. Jordan, Syria, and Egypt attacked Israel in 1973 over
land. After the war, peace was as achieved with Jordan.
- Sought support of the United States.
Gamal Abdul Nasser:
- President of Egypt in 1952.
- Sided with the Soviet Union as a counter to U.S. support in Israel.
- Nationalized Suez Canal.
- Built Aswan Dam. The Aswan High Dam was built on the Nile to
prevent the river’s flooding, generate electricity, and provide water
for agriculture.