Consultation and Confrontation, 1930-42 Flashcards
What was the impact of the second round table conference on relations (1930-32) (4)
-Gandhi claimed he spoke for all minorities, a notion rejected
-Gandhi and Dr Ambedkar argued on whether untouchables needed their own representation
-Hindu Muslim separateness worsened
-British people lost respect for Gandhi
What was the communal awards, and how did Gandhi respond (1932-35) (2,4)
-The communal awards were announced by Ramsey Macdonald in august 1932, following the round table conferences
-These classed Muslims, untouchables, Sikhs, Anglo Christians as minorities justified to their own separate electorates
-Gandhi was furious with the awards
-Gandhi was especially annoyed at the inclusion of untouchables, since this would further divide untouchables and Hindus
-Gandhi saw it as a ploy by the British to decrease the power of congress
-Gandhi decided to fast unto death in protest to the awards
How did India respond to the government of India act (1935-39) (4,2,3)
-Congress once again didn’t approve of the act
-They wanted Purna swaraj, and Purna swaraj only
-They disliked the inclusion of separate electorates, as that would increase societal divides
-Congress wanted a strong federal government, to avoid Muslim majority provincial governments
-The Muslim league also did not like the act
-They felt it did not promise enough in the forms of Muslim representation/protection
-Princes disliked it, as the act would lead to a diminution of their powers
-By 1939, only 40% of princes had agreed to a federal government
-However, within their states there were increasing calls for the act, so princes couldn’t openly express dismay
What was the India defence league (1932-35) (5)
-The India defence league was a league which intended to maintain British control of India, and to ensure no concessions were made
-They believed the British had a divine right to rule over India
-They conducted a bad-tempered campaign from the backbenches as many MPs, namely Churchill, got involves
-They generated a huge following amongst tory activists gaining the support of 50 tory MPS and providing a large base for right wing extremists
-However, they failed to convert their momentum to parliamentary votes
What was the Yeravda pact (1932-35) (1,3,3)
-Following Gandhi’s fast unto death, Gandhi and Dr Ambedkar agreed on the Yeravda pact
-It was agreed untouchables would have 148 designated seats on provincial legislatures, with both primary (untouchables) and secondary (all) elections
-Untouchables were allowed 18% of central assembly seats, voted by a general electorate
-Hindus and untouchables received agreement to abandon separate electorates
-However this pact was not too significant nor did it change public opinion
-The round table conferences highlighted the difference in opinion and methods of the 2 separate parties
-The agreement was made basically out of blackmail, the tension hadn’t slid
How did the actions of congress lead to the revitalisation of the Muslim league (1935-39) (10)
-Congress refused to contemplate a power sharing agreement with the Muslim league
-Many new congress provincial ministers threw caution to the wind
-Ministers appointed relatives and friends to offices, ignored minorities and acted spitefully
-Fiscal policies were drawn up to hurt Muslims, such as the banning of cow slaughter in Bihar
-Nehru claimed he represented Muslims more than Jinnah
-Congress felt they could win power without minorities, so ignored them
-No efforts were made to understand/respect Muslim cultural/religious needs
-By 1939, congress was torn apart and Bose was forced to resign
-Many Muslims realised they would suffer in a Hindu raj
-Many Muslims realised they wouldn’t be represented by Hindus, so joined the Muslim league for representation
What were some key provincial results from the 1937 elections (1935-39) (4,2,2,2)
-Congress won a majority in 5 states (Madras, Bihar, Orissa, United provinces and Central provinces)
-Congress got the least success in Punjab, Sind and Bengal
-Congress worst performances were in the states with the largest Muslim populations
-Muslim league got 0 seats in 3 states (NWFP, Sind, Bihar)
NWFP
-19/50 Congress seats
-36/50 Muslim seats, 0 AIML
Sind
-7/60 Congress
-34/60 Muslim, 0 AIML
Bihar
-95/152 Congress
-40/152 Muslim, 0 AIML
What were the main features of the government of India act (1935-39) (1,4)
-The August 1935 Government of India act was the last Indian constitution imposed by the British
-The system of dyarchy was abolished
-Separate electorates were to continue
-India divided into 11 provinces, each of which having a legislative assembly, provincial governments, and near full autonomy
-2 new states created, one of which (Sind) a Muslim majority
How significant was the progress made at the first round table conference (1932-35) (4,3)
-UK agreed to give India dominion status
-British were willing to help Indians throughout
-Federal government would suit Muslims and other minorities
-Participation of Indians at every level of government
-Congress was not there
-The majority of Indians would not be in support of the resolution, and it likely would be meaningless
-Purna Swaraj not achieved
Why did the round table conferences fail (1932-35) (3,3,3)
-Congress was not represented at the first congress
-Gandhi maintained his belief he could speak for all Indians
-Gandhi refused to compromise on his beliefs
-Jinnah was firm in his support for separate electorates
-This was supported by others, such as untouchables, but opposed by Gandhi
-Jinnah played groups against each other, to increase Muslim gain
-In between the 2 conferences, the labour government collapsed
-The country had more pressing issues (economy) than India
-The new tory government was tougher on India
What were Churchill’s attitudes towards Indians, and what opposition to this was there (1932-35) (5,4)
-In his views, Indians were primitive people
-Indians would never be fit to run as dominion
-Gandhi was the arch troublemaker, get rid of him and Indians would obey
-Once Indians weren’t seen as inferior, the British would not be superior
-They needed force to maintain an empire
-Alec Baldwin, the conservative leader, endorsed the ‘criminally mischievously’ labour policy
-Baldwin stated the greatest threat to a solution in India were ‘extremists at India and at home’
-An attempt to overturn a parliamentary bill failed 369 - 43
-A similar vote regarding the Simon commission failed 297-42
What was the first round table conference, and what was agreed (1930-32) (3,3,3)
-The first round table conference was from November 1930 to January 1931
-It was attended by 16 delegates from 3 British political parties, such as Irwin and Macdonald, as well as 58 delegates representing Indians
-However, congress and Gandhi were not there, still on their non-cooperation campaign
-They agreed India would be run as a type of dominion
-This dominion would take the form of a federation which would include princely states
-There would be Indian participation in all levels of government
-Conference closed on a note of optimism
-Wouldn’t affect Hindus, but minorities got a vote
-Hindu-Muslim separateness worsened
What was the second round table conference, and what was agreed (1930-32) (3,3)
-The second round table conference was from September to December 1931
-It was yet again attended by Sikhs, Muslims, British and Princes
-Crucially, Gandhi came as the sole representative of congress
-Nothing was agreed, since they couldn’t agree on a workable constitution
-Discussions failed over the different fragments of society, since no one was willing to concede on electorates
-‘No useful purpose will be served by attempting to prolong its discussion’
How did India enter WW2 (1939-42) (3)
-In April 1939, the British parliament passed an amendment to the government of India act, giving the viceroy full executive power over the provinces in emergency
-In September, Lord Linlithgow announced India was at war with Germany, before discussing with Indian political leaders
-The method of announcement caused great resentment
How did Congress and the Muslim league respond to WW2 (1930-42) (5,4)
-Congress’ reaction was one of horror in how the declaration occurred
-This was complicated with feelings of sympathy for the Raj
-Both Gandhi and Nehru expressed sympathy to the British people vs fascism
-However, congress was not prepared to support unless given Purna Swaraj
-Congress withdrew their ministers from provinces where they had a majority, to disassociate India from the war
-Jinnah called on Muslims to celebrate their release from Hindu bondage
-Jinnah supported the war efforts, and cooperated with the Raj
-Many provincial positions left by congress taken up by the Muslim league
-All of this left Jinnah in a strong position
