The Decolonization of India

The Decolonization of India

What was the role of Britain in India?

- Expanding power since 1600s

- East India Company

- India was important for Britain:

army and trade

How did the decolonization happen in India, regarding the situation of the Indian society, the role of Mahatma Gandhi, the role of Britain and what were the consequences for the future?

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Factors for decolonization:

- Britain became economically weak

- Pressure of the nationalistic countries in the Second World War

- Attitude amongst citizens changed in a anti-imperial one

1947: Britain gives India its independence

What was the role of the Indian society?

With the help of Gandhi, the Indian people finally got the chance to stand up for themselves and claim the rights for their own country.

What was the role of Mahatma Gandhi?

- Feeling of nationalism arose

- Many protests against the British rule

- Conflict between Hindus and Muslims

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, India’s ‘Great Soul’ or ‘Mahatma’ was indispensable in the process of decolonization in India:

What is the inheritance from the colonial past?

- Revolutionary beliefs against the British rule

- Protesting using non-violence and non-cooperation

- Boycotting British goods

- Salt march: protest against high salt taxes

1906: Muslim members of the Indian National Congress left and formed their own party: the Muslim League.

Biggest inheritance:

the use of the English language

- Muslims felt suppressed

- Conflicts and riots occurred all over India

- 1947: Muslims were separated from Hindus: Pakistan was founded

The Indian National Congress:

Room for development:

The Indian society was able to obtain independence from Britain

- science & medicine: dropping death rate

- economy: growing rate & overflowing

wheat stocks, trying to be self sufficient

- Against British rule

- In 1921, the Congress led by Gandhi focused on ‘Swarai’: complete individual, spiritual and political freedom.

No improvement:

‘ Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. It seats in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being.’ – Mahatma Gandhi

- vast majority of people are still poor

- conflict between Hindu's & Muslims isn't solved

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Conclusion

Multiple factors and events triggered the decolonization in India

- After World War 2, Britain was both financially and politically less strong.

- Mahatma Gandhi helped the Indian people to go against the British rule; these protests could not be ignored by Britain.

- Conflict between Hindus and Muslims within the Indian society remained a problem even after India gained its independence

- The feeling of nationalism among the Indian people