1947/8: Decolonization and Partition Flashcards
(210 cards)
What began to develop in the cities of north India in 1946?
- Militia groups
- Extremist parties
What sort of people constituted the violent groups that developed and grew during 1946?
- Former soldiers
- Radical students
- Party activists
- Opportunist criminals
What activities did radical groups during 1946 get up to?
- Marching through the streets
- helping at political rallies
- patrolling cities and collecting weapons
- Played sports and socialised
Give an example of a Hindu militia group that grew during 1946?
Ram Sena
What sort of history lectures were given at meetings of the Ram Sena?
Histories of epic battles against Muslims as Hindus fought to protect the Motherland
Why does Yasmin Khan think violent groups were attractive?
“Militant groups provided easy answers to complex questions”
During the 1920s and 30s, and up to 1946, what was there a wide-spread belief in throughout all of India?
Non-violence, its effectiveness, and its moral superiority
Who is credited with spreading the efficacy of non-violence in India?
Gandhi
What does Yasmin Khan see as the feeling towards Gandhi’s non-violence tactics by 1946?
“a spent force”
What were the two main political parties in India at the time of partition?
- The Indian National Congress (or just the Congress Party)
- The Muslim League
What religion was the Congress Party predominantly?
Hindu
What religion was the Muslim League?
Islam
Which political party was largely identified with Gandhian non-violence prior to partition?
The Congress Party
What did the Congress Party do after 1946 with regard to the policy of non-violence?
They began to move away from it as a policy
Why does Yasin Khan think the Congress Party relinquished its commitment to non-violence?
“Fears of Muslim League assertiveness, uncertainty about the future and…the sheer size of the Congress Party”
Who were the three members of the Cabinet Mission?
- Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Secretary of State for India
- Sir Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade
- Mr A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty
What were the three members of the Cabinet Mission colloquially known as?
The three magi
What were the three magi there to do in India according to Yasmin Khan?
“create a constitutional package for one united India and to plan the British handover of power”
When did the Cabinet Mission arrive in India?
March 1946
What was the result of the three months of negotiations conducted by the Cabinet Mission as they tried to find a compromise between the political parties of India?
They left empty handed
What was attempted after the failure of the first round of negotiations between the Cabinet Mission and the leaders of the Congress Party and Muslim League?
A new attempt at negotiations in May 1946
What was the result of the second round of negotiations that sought to arrange a temporary government and a smooth transfer of power?
They too failed
How does Yasmin Khan describe what happened after the failure of the second round of negotiations?
“politics spilled on to the streets”
What did the Cabinet delegation decide to do after two failed rounds of negotiations?
Present the people of India with a fait accompli