Post on 18-Jan-2016
Ch. 30 Independence:
India & Latin America
(1900–1949)
I. Africa
A. Colonial Africa:1. Africans forced to work in European-owned
mines and plantations under harsh conditions for little or no pay
2. Religious changes: both Christianity & Islam spread
3. Colonialism provided little modernization:
– worsened public health– undermined the African family– gave rise to large segregated cities
B. Early Nationalists
1. Nationalist leaders & movements little influence until after WW II
– Africans had served in Allied forces– the African National Congress in
South Africa– “Pan-Africanists”
II. Indian Independence
(1905–1947)
A. Land & People
1. Indian pop.: 250 mill. in 1900…389 mill. 1941
2. Indian society diverse:
– peasants– wealthy property owners– urban workers– over 30 languages (English for Western-
educated)– majority practice Hinduism– large Muslim minority (Bengal province)
B. British Rule
1. Colonial India: ruled by viceroy & Indian Civil Service (ICS)
2. A few thousand members of the ICS controlled all technology into India:
– for political control– to prevent economic development – to maximize British profits
C. Indian Nationalism
1. By 1900: most Indians accepted British rule
2. But racism & discrimination inspired political groups:
– Hindus established the Indian National Congress (1885)
– Muslims founded the All-India Muslim League (1906)
– India had two independence movements…
D. Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948)
1. English-educated lawyer
2. Practiced law in South Africa & returned to India
– joined Indian National Congress
3. Political ideas:
– Nonviolence: ahimsa– The search for “soul truth”: satyagraha
Gandhi’s Life• Gandhi dressed & lived simply
• Love for the poor, the illiterate, and social outcasts
• Gandhi was a brilliant political strategist through tactician passive resistant demonstrations:
– 80 mile “Walk to the Sea” to make salt (in violation of the government’s salt monopoly)
– several fasts “unto death”– repeated arrests & prison sentences
Mahatma Gandhi
E. Move To Independence
1. 1920’s: British slowly give Indians control of:
– Education– The economy
2. Indians contributed heavily to the war effort
3. Lack of industrialization
– But, some wealthy Indians who looked to the INC
F. Partition & Independence
1. 1940: Muhammad Ali Jinnah demands Muslim independence (to create Pakistan)
2. 1947: Indian independence & “Partition” of (India & East-West Pakistan)
– violence between Muslims & Hindus – massive refugees– Gandhi assassinated 1948