India’s Fight for Independence

I. Indian Independence

A. Early 1600’s Britain established the East India

Company to trade for Indian spices.

B. By mid 1800’s Britain controlled most of India-

Imperialism

British influence on India’s Culture

1. English language

2. Parliamentary government

system of democracy

3. Railroads

Countries of South Asia

C. India known for high quality cotton industry (cashmere, chintz and muslin)

Britain colonial system used Indian

cotton to create machine made textiles

in England and sell back to Indians.

Indian Cotton

Later called Mahatma “great soul”

1. Early Life

a. Born October 2, 1869

b. Studied law in England

c. Married Kasturba Gandhi

2. Law practice in S. Africa (also colony of England)

a. where first experienced racial discrimination

b. fought prejudice leading marches, letters,

community meetings, and boycotts. Many of

the protests lead to his arrest

c. After 21 years in Africa returned to India to fight for

independence

D. Mohandas Gandhi

3. Nationalism and Independence in India

a. Nationalism?

b. Western ideas of individual rights and self

governance spread

c. “Most powerful weapon is nonviolence”

opposing oppressor by any means other

then violence.

Gandhi

• National boycott of cotton goods from England

1. symbol of national pride- Spinning wheel

2. British cloth sales fell sharply in India

e. Independence

1. Supported by other nations throughout world

2. India gained independence in 1947

3. Gandhi words and actions inspired the world....MLK

Boycott and Independence