Road to Independence

INDIA

Sepoy Rebellion/Mutiny• Sepoys = Indian soldiers who

fought for the British • Forced by the British to open

gunpowder cartridges with their mouths – greased with pig and cow fat

• The sepoys refused since this is against their religions (Muslim and Hindu) but the British generals said “Do it!”

• The Sepoys rebelled and fighting took place (more like slaughter)

• The British sent in more army and squashed the sepoys

• STRIKE #1 against the British who did not care about the Indian culture or religion

Ram Mohun Roy

• Called the father of modern India• Worked for the British East India Company• Tries to rid India of the caste system• Challenged traditional ideas and believed that Indians

should modernize to escape British imperialism• Was influential in gaining rights for women

Indian National Congress (I.N.C.)

• Despite being educated in Great Britain and learning about nationalism and democracy, educated men still second class citizens in India

• Nationalism grew and in 1885 the I.N.C. became official to force self-government

• Goal was to get the British out and help their own people

• Hindus and Muslims come together to fight against the British for national independence

World War I• WWI was raging in Europe and

Britain needed more soldiers• Made a deal with sepoys of

India…fight with Britain, help us win, and we will give you self-government

• Indians wanted the British out so badly that 1million sepoys joined war and helped Britain win WWI

• In 1918 when the war was over, sepoys returned to India and were still treated horribly

• Britain did not follow through on promise…no freedom for India

• STRIKE #2 – Indians are getting angrier

Amritsar Massacre• 10,000 Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs went to a festival in Amritsar, capital city

of Punjab township in 1919• These people fasted (no food), prayed, and listened to political speeches…

totally PEACEFUL• The British has passed a law banning public meetings so this gathering was

breaking the law• British troops open fire for 10 minutes killing 400 and wounding 1200 this

included men, women, and children• STRIKE #3 – millions of Indians now turn on the British and demand

independence

Mohandas K. Gandhi• Went to school in England and

got a law degree…saw democracy there and wanted to fight all injustice in the world

• He went to South Africa during apartheid to help out

• Returned to India and became leader of the independence movement after the Amritsar Massacre

• He united all religions against the British and had the I.N.C not cooperate with the British government but still have the British think they are friends in order to get humanitarian assistance whenever needed