Bedford County Public Schools

LESSON PLAN TEMPLATE

Course World History II Grade 09

Lesson Topic/Title India’s Struggle for Self-Rule

SOL and Learning Intention 14a

Materials/Resources Needed Reading/Visual Materials Needed for Stations

Cognition Strategy to be Applied 1 . E ngage in a museum tour of the Indian subcontinent as students analyze maps and reading material in order to identify key points about the independence movement 2. Synthesize understanding of material as students pretend to be a newspaper reporter

Lesson Component Teacher StudentEngage:Prior Knowledge & Hook

Students will be introduced to the day’s lesson by being asked to decide how they would respond to the following scenario:

Suppose I was the leader of this country, Room 307, and I decided to divide the country between males and females. I am going to divide the room into two sections, one for the men and one for the women. The slice down the middle is going to be for the males and each of the two top corners will be for the females. How would you react to this division? What would be some of your concerns? Who would this division possibly please?

Explain:Direct Instruction & Model & Guided Practice

Musuem Tour of Indian Subcontinent

Class-wide discussion of answers to the questions

Cooperative Learning Groups: Students will examine the packet of materials to answer the guiding questions

Evaluate: Pretend to be a newspaper

Close and Assess reporter and write an article describing the struggles the Indian subcontinent faced while gaining independence. Be sure to include specific details concerning India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Study notes for a quiz next class

MATERIAL A:Modern South Asia

South Asia 1947 and 1948

Britain's holdings on the Indian subcontinent were granted independence in 1947 and 1948, becoming four new independent states: India, Burma (now Myanmar), Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and Pakistan (including East Pakistan, modern-day Bangladesh).

MATERIAL B:British Government Statement on Policy in India 1946

1. On the 15th March last, just before the dispatch of the Cabinet Mission to India, Mr. Attlee, the British Prime Minister, used these words:

My colleagues are going to India with the intention of using their utmost endeavors to help her to attain her freedom as speedily and fully as possible. What form of Government is to replace the present regime is for India to decide; but our desire is to help her to set up forthwith the machinery for making that decision . . . .

I hope that the Indian people may elect to remain within the British Commonwealth. I am certain that she will find great advantages in doing so . . . .

3. We have accordingly decided that immediate arrangements should be made whereby Indians may decide the future constitution of India, and an interim Government may be set up at once to carry on the administration of British India until such time as a new constitution can be brought into being.

5. This consideration did not, however, deter us from examining closely and impartially the possibility of a partition of India; since we were greatly impressed by the very, genuine and acute anxiety of the Muslims lest they should find themselves subjected to a perpetual Hindu-majority rule. This feeling has become so strong and widespread amongst the Muslims that It cannot be allayed by mere paper safeguards. If there is to be internal peace in India it must be secured by measures which will assure to the Muslims a control in all matters vital to their culture, religion, and economic or other interests.

6. We therefore examined in the first instance the question of a separate and fully independent sovereign state of Pakistan as claimed by the Muslim League. Such a Pakistan would comprise two areas: one in the North-West consisting of the provinces of the Punjab, Sind, North-West Frontier, and British Baluchistan; the other in the North-East consisting of the provinces of Bengal and Assam. The League were prepared to consider adjustment of boundaries at a later stage, but insisted that the principle of Pakistan should first be acknowledged. The argument for a separate state of Pakistan was based, first, upon the right of the Muslim majority to decide their method of government according to their wishes, and, secondly, upon the necessity to include substantial areas in which Muslims are in a minority in order to make Pakistan administratively and economically workable.

10. Finally, there is the geographical fact that the two halves of the proposed Pakistan state are separated by some seven hundred miles and the communications between them both in war and peace would be dependent on the goodwill of Hindustan.

11. We are therefore unable to advise the British Government that the power which at present resides in British hands should be handed over to two entirely separate sovereign states.

MATERIAL C:

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964): Speech On the Granting of Indian Independence, August 14, 1947

Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.

Freedom and power bring responsibility. That future is not one of ease or resting but of incessant striving so that we may fulfill the pledges we have so often taken and the one we shall take today. The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity. The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us, but as long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over.

And so we have to labour and to work, and work hard, to give reality to our dreams. Those dreams are for India, but they are also for the world, for all the nations and peoples are too closely knit together today for any one of them to imagine that it can live apart Peace has been said to be indivisible; so is freedom, so is prosperity now, and so also is disaster in this One World that can no longer be split into isolated fragments.

To the people of India, whose representatives we are, we make an appeal to join us with faith and confidence in this great adventure. This is no time for petty and destructive criticism, no time for ill-will or blaming others. We have to build the noble mansion of free India where all her children may dwell.

It is a fateful moment for us in India, for all Asia and for the world. A new star rises, the star of freedom in the East, a new hope comes into being, a vision long cherished materializes. May the star never set and that hope never be betrayed!

And to India, our much-loved motherland, the ancient, the eternal and the ever-new, we pay our reverent homage and we bind ourselves afresh to her service.

MATERIAL D:

Division of Indian Subcontinent

The British Labour government of Prime Minister Attlee in 1946 offered self-government to India, but it warned that if no agreement was reached between the Congress and the Muslim League, Great Britain, on withdrawing in June, 1948, would have to determine the apportionment of power between the two groups. Reluctantly the Congress agreed to the creation of Pakistan, and in Aug., 1947, British India was divided into the dominions of India and Pakistan. The future of Kashmir was not resolved.   Nehru became prime minister of India, and Jinnah governor-general of Pakistan. The territory of Pakistan was divided into two parts at independence, separated by about 1,600 kilometers of Indian territory. Partition left large minorities of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan and Muslims in India. Widespread hostilities erupted among the communities and continued while large numbers of people—about 16 million in all—fled across the borders seeking safety. More than 500,000 people died in the disorders (late 1947). Gandhi was killed by a Hindu fanatic on January 30, 1948. The hostility between India and Pakistan was aggravated when warfare broke out (1948) over their conflicting claims to jurisdiction over the princely state of Kashmir. Although most of Kashmir’s people are Muslim, 2/3 of territory is governed by India. India and Pakistan fought two wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. The dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measures have led to decreased tensions since 2002.

MATERIAL G:

Sri Lanka (Ceylon until 1972) IndependenceAs Ceylon, it became a dominion in the British Commonwealth in 1948. The first prime minister was Don Stephen Senanayake, while Sir Henry Monck-Mason Moore became Governor-General, the Queen's nominal representative. In 1972, the country became a republic, free of the last vestiges of colonial domination; the name was changed to Sri Lanka. Despite the civil conflict of recent years, independent Sri Lanka is famed for its remarkable increase in human development, notably life expectancy, infant mortality, and literacy, which lead the country to be seen as somewhat of a model for third world development.

Sinhala-Tamil conflict

Post-independence governments implemented a series of pro-Sinhala measures, supporting the Sinhala majority. The Sinhalese make up about 75% of the population and are Buddhist, while the Tamils make up about 20% of the population and are Hindus. The 1956 Sinhala Only Act made Sinhala the sole official language, forcing Tamil-speakers to learn it. This led to unrest among Tamils, whose cultural identity was threatened.

Decades of tension between Tamils living primarily in the north and east, and the Sinhala majority in the south, led to widespread communal riots in the 1950s to 1970s targeting Tamil communities and economic interests in many parts of the island. Calls for a separate Tamil state in the north and east grew, and eventually several Tamil militant groups formed, particularly in the northern Jaffna peninsula. Initially many of these were supported by the Indian Government which sought to appease Tamils in South India.

MATERIAL: E

Material F:BangladeshAt the closure of World War II it was clear that European colonialism had run its course and Indian independence was inevitable. Independence was attained in 1947 but the struggle was bitter and divisive, especially in Bengal where the fight for self-government was complicated by internal religious conflict. The British, realizing any agreement between the Muslims and Hindus was impossible, decided to partition the subcontinent. That Bengal and Punjab, the two overwhelmingly Muslim regions, lay on opposite sides of India was only one stumbling block. The situation was complicated in Bengal where the major cash crop, jute, was produced in the Muslim-dominated east, but processed and shipped from the Hindu-dominated city of Calcutta in the west. 

Inequalities between the two regions i.e. East and West Pakistan soon stirred up a sense of Bengali nationalism that had not been reckoned with during the push for Muslim independence. When the Pakistan government declared that `Urdu and only Urdu' would be the national language, the Bangla-speaking Bengalis decided it was time to assert their cultural identity. Riots and strikes broke out in East Pakistan, the independent state of Bangladesh was unilaterally announced, and Pakistan sent troops to quell the rebellion.

The ensuing war in 1971 was one of the shortest and bloodiest of modern times, with the Pakistan army occupying all major towns, using napalm against villages, and slaughtering and raping villagers. Bangladeshis refer to Pakistan's brutal tactics as attempted genocide. In 11 days it was all over and Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan), the world's 139th country, officially came into existence.

The first two prime ministers were assassinated, then the ruined and decimated new country experienced famine in 1973-74, and then between 1975-1990 martial law was in place. In 1979, Bangladesh began a short-lived experiment with democracy led by the overwhelmingly popular President Zia, who established good relationships with the West and the oil-rich Islamic countries. His assassination in 1981 ultimately returned the country to a military government that periodically made vague announcements that elections would be held `soon'. While these announcements were rapturously greeted by the local press as proof that Bangladesh was indeed a democracy, nothing came of them until 1991. That year the military dictator General Ershad was forced to resign by an unprecedented popular movement led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Awami League.

Democracy was re-established and the economy ticked along at a 4.5% growth rate, which hardly made it an 'Asian tiger' but was at least respectable.

Name:_____________________

Guiding Questions for Museum Tour of Indian Subcontinent

Material A: 2 MapsCompare the two maps provided. Describe what you see on each map and describe the changes that have occurred from 1947 to 2006.

Material B: British Government Statement on Policy in India 1946**What country grants India their independence?

What does the British government want India to do?

Do they suggest a unified India or two separate nations? Why or why not?

Material C: Nehru’s Speech on the Granting of Indian Independence: August 14, 1947What is the overall feeling of this speech?

Material D: Division of Indian SubcontinentHow was the subcontinent divided?

What was the immediate result of this division?

**What happened to Gandhi on January 30, 1948?

**What territory is the source of dispute? Why?

Material E: India**Who became India’s first prime minister from when they gained independence until his death in 1964?

**What was India’s policy during the Cold War?

Why was Indira Gandhi assassinated?

Material F: BangladeshHow was geography a stumbling block for Pakistan?

How did the “Urdu and Urdu only” policy alienate (upset) Bangla-speaking Bengalis?

**What was the result of the war in 1971?

Has Bangladesh had political stability?

Material G: Sri LankaWhat gains has Sri Lanka made?

**What two groups have come into conflict in Sri Lanka? Which group is the majority?

**Based on the evidence how was the Indian subcontinent divided in 1947? What was the division based on?

**What was the majority religion in India?

**What was the majority religion in Pakistan?

Name:_________________________Block:_______________

The Indian Subcontinent

1. Gandhi used various tactics to resist outside, foreign control of his country. Name one of his tactics.

2. What country granted India its independence in 1947?

3. The division of the Indian subcontinent into two separate countries was based on what factor?

4. In 1947 India and Pakistan were established. What was the majority religion in each? India: Pakistan:

5. What happened to Gandhi on January 30, 1948?

6. Who became India’s first prime minister after independence was gained until 1964?

7. During the Cold War what was India’s policy as far as ties to the two superpowers (the Soviet Union and the United States)?

8. Due to the geographic distance between East and West Pakistan what new country was established in 1971?

9. What territory is largely disputed between India and Pakistan because most of its people are Muslim, yet 2/3 of its territory is controlled by India?

10. Ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese and the Tamils has occurred where?

Answer Key:

Guiding Questions for Museum Tour of Indian Subcontinent

Material A: 2 MapsCompare the two maps provided. Describe what you see on each map and describe the changes that have occurred from 1947 to 2006.

East Pakistan became Bangladesh Ceylon became Sri Lanka

Material B: British Government Statement on Policy in India 1946**What country grants India their independence?

Great Britain

What does the British government want India to do? Decide to remain part of the British Commonwealth

Do they suggest a unified India or two separate nations? Why or why not? Says difficulty in communicating because the 2 parts are separated by 700 miles so

communication is difficultso do not suggest the division

Material C: Nehru’s Speech on the Granting of Indian Independence: August 14, 1947What is the overall feeling of this speech?

Enthusiasm and hope for the future, yet recognition of hardships

Material D: Division of Indian SubcontinentHow was the subcontinent divided?

Into India and Pakistan (East and West Pakistan)

What was the immediate result of this division? 16 million people fled across borders (those who were now in the minority)

**What happened to Gandhi on January 30, 1948? Killed by a fanatic

**What territory is the source of dispute? Why? Kashmir: most people are Muslim, yet 2/3 of territory controlled by India

Material E: India**Who became India’s first prime minister from when they gained independence until his death in 1964?

Nehru**What was India’s policy during the Cold War?

Nonalignment, but closer to USSR Built nuclear program under Indira

Why was Indira Gandhi assassinated? Because she sent in troops/tanks into the holiest Sikh shrine, Sikhs were outraged at

violation of shrine so 2 of her personal bodyguards who were Sikhs killed her

Material F: BangladeshHow was geography a stumbling block for Pakistan?

2 Muslim regions lay on opposite sides of India

How did the “Urdu and Urdu only” policy alienate (upset) Bangla-speaking Bengalis? They rioted, tried to assert their cultural identity

**What was the result of the war in 1971? East Pakistan became Bangladesh after 11 bloody days

Has Bangladesh had political stability? No, first two Prime Ministers were assassinated

Material G: Sri LankaWhat gains has Sri Lanka made?

Increase in human development (increases in life expectancy, infant mortality, and literacy)

**What two groups have come into conflict in Sri Lanka? Which group is the majority? Sinhalese (75% of population, Buddhist) vs. Tamils (20% of population, Hindus)

**Based on the evidence how was the Indian subcontinent divided in 1947? What was the division based on?

Based on religion

**What was the majority religion in India? Hindu

**What was the majority religion in Pakistan? Muslim

Answer Key for Quiz:

1. Nonviolence, civil disobedience, salt march

2. Great Britain3. Religion4. India: Hinduism Pakistan: Islam5. Assassinated by Hindu fanatic6. Nehru7. Nonaligned, but closer to USSR8. Bangladesh9. Kashmir10. Sri Lanka