Essential Question: What role did Great Britain play in the development of India? How did the people of India pursue independence.
I. British imperialism in India
A. During the early 1800�s, the British took direct control of about three-fifths of India
1. The rest of the sub-continent was divided up into more than 550 states
a. An Indian prince headed each of these states.
B. The nature of British rule
1. The British were active rulers in India
a. They built roads, bridges, railroads, factories, hospitals, and schools
2. By the early 1900�s, British rule created an unusual situation
a. The people of two different cultures lived side by side
b. The British had put themselves above Indian society
-The British thought they were a superior race
-For years, the Indians were treated as second-class citizens
II. The rise of Indian nationalism
A. A movement for Indian self-rule
1. Some wanted to break away from Great Britain gradually
2. Others wanted to break ties immediately
3. The independence movement in India gathered strength very slowly
a. Meanwhile, the British kept the country under a tight rein
III. The independence movement in India
A. After WW II, Britain promised India more self-government
1. Many Indian nationalists called for complete independence from British rule
a. Any agreement would have to accommodate the diverse views in India
-Both Muslim and Hindus of upper and lower castes
2. The leader of the Indian nationalist movement was Mohandas Gandhi
a. Many Indians revered Gandhi as a spiritual as well as a political leader
b. Gandhi opposed violence
-He urged people to gain independence by nonviolently
refusing (passive resistance) to cooperate with the government
-Passive resistance included boycotting British goods and
refusing to pay taxes
B. To control the nationalist movement, the British restricted civil liberties and
forcibly broke up political gatherings
C. In 1935, Great Britain allowed India to elect representatives
1. However, it still controlled India�s defense, revenue and foreign policy
a. The British could also veto laws passed by the representatives
b. Efforts for complete independence continued