Unit 7: Decolonization and Nationalism (1900-2000)

"I believe that the civilization India has evolved is not to be beaten in the world. Nothing can equal the seeds sown by our ancestors. Rome went, Greece shared the same fate; the might of the Pharaohs was broken; Japan has become Westernized; of China nothing can be said; but India is still, somehow or other, sound. . . . What we have tested and found true on the anvil of experience, we dare not change."

— Mohandas Gandhi from the book Indian Home Rule, first published in 1938

Based on this quote which statement best describes the author’s point of view?

• India's civilization is strong and has endured while others have fallen

• Rome and Greece had the most advanced ancient civilizations

• Modern societies have little to learn from ancient societies

• All ancient civilizations have collapsed

"I believe that the civilization India has evolved is not to be beaten in the world. Nothing can equal the seeds sown by our ancestors. Rome went, Greece shared the same fate; the might of the Pharaohs was broken; Japan has become Westernized; of China nothing can be said; but India is still, somehow or other, sound. . . . What we have tested and found true on the anvil of experience, we dare not change."

— Mohandas Gandhi from the book Indian Home Rule, first published in 1938

In this quote Gandhi expresses

• militarism

• nationalism

• Hinduism

• totalitarianism

BOMBAY, SUNDAY

The great test has come for “Mahatma” Gandhi, the Indian Nationalist leader, in his efforts to obtain the complete independence of India from British rule. Wading into the sea this morning at Dandi, the lonely village on the Arabian Sea shore, Gandhi and his followers broke the salt monopoly laws and so inaugurated the campaign of mass civil disobedience. There was no interference by the authorities, although a detachment of 150 police officers had been drafted into Dandi and a further force of 400 police was at Jalalpur.

The actual breaking of the salt monopoly law was witnessed by a large crowd who gathered at the seashore. Surrounded by about 100 volunteers—including those who had made the 200-mile march from Ahmedabad,—Gandhi waded into the sea and bathed. Pots were then filled with seawater and boiled or left in the sunshine and the salt residue sprinkled on the ground. Gandhi was hailed by Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, the Indian poetess, as “the lawbreaker.” . .

The actions taken by Gandhi and his followers, as described in this excerpt, are examples of

• political espionage

• economic terrorism

• collective bargaining

• nonviolent resistance

BOMBAY, SUNDAY

The great test has come for “Mahatma” Gandhi, the Indian Nationalist leader, in his efforts to obtain the complete independence of India from British rule. Wading into the sea this morning at Dandi, the lonely village on the Arabian Sea shore, Gandhi and his followers broke the salt monopoly laws and so inaugurated the campaign of mass civil disobedience. There was no interference by the authorities, although a detachment of 150 police officers had been drafted into Dandi and a further force of 400 police was at Jalalpur.

The actual breaking of the salt monopoly law was witnessed by a large crowd who gathered at the seashore. Surrounded by about 100 volunteers—including those who had made the 200-mile march from Ahmedabad,—Gandhi waded into the sea and bathed. Pots were then filled with seawater and boiled or left in the sunshine and the salt residue sprinkled on the ground. Gandhi was hailed by Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, the Indian poetess, as “the lawbreaker.” . .

Which statement best summarizes the effects actions like those expressed in this excerpt had on India?

• International support for British colonial rule in India grew

• The call for Indian self-government was abandoned

• Separatist movements in India ended the fear of oppression

• British control of India gradually weakened and ended

For a fortnight Gandhi’s march is intended to be only a demonstration. Then, when he expects to be at the sea, he will begin to produce salt from brine [salt water], and so infringe [violate] the Government salt monopoly, defying the Government to arrest and punish him. At the same time his supporters everywhere have been incited by him to refuse to pay local taxes.

The actions taken by Gandhi reflect his commitment to which policy?

• collectivization

• religious intolerance

• civil disobedience

• censorship

For a fortnight Gandhi’s march is intended to be only a demonstration. Then, when he expects to be at the sea, he will begin to produce salt from brine [salt water], and so infringe [violate] the Government salt monopoly, defying the Government to arrest and punish him. At the same time his supporters everywhere have been incited by him to refuse to pay local taxes.

The actions of Gandhi and his supporters, as described in this passage, helped lead to the

• banning of Western books and music

• removal of British control from the subcontinent

• development of an economic alliance for South Asian nations

• peaceful partitioning of British India into India and Pakistan

In his book Indian Home Rule, Gandhi asked the question, “Why do you want to drive away the English?” He replied with the following statement:

. . . “Because India has become impoverished by their Government. They take away our money from year to year. The most important posts are reserved for themselves. We are kept in a state of slavery. They behave insolently [insultingly] towards us and disregard our feelings. . . .”

Based on this excerpt, which statement best describes the author’s point of view?

• The benefits of British rule outweigh the costs for India

• British rule has hurt India and prevented its people from establishing their own economy and government

• The British military is too powerful

• India and Pakistan should remain one country after the British are driven out

In his book Indian Home Rule, Gandhi asked the question, “Why do you want to drive away the English?” He replied with the following statement:

. . . “Because India has become impoverished by their Government. They take away our money from year to year. The most important posts are reserved for themselves. We are kept in a state of slavery. They behave insolently [insultingly] towards us and disregard our feelings. . . .”

A historian would find this excerpt most useful for

• Examining the effects of Belgian rule in the Congo

• Exploring the points of view of Muslims concerning British rule in India

• Understanding the views of Indian nationalists

• Examining the economic benefits of imperialism for British citizens

In his book Indian Home Rule, Gandhi asked the question, “Why do you want to drive away the English?” He replied with the following statement:

. . . “Because India has become impoverished by their Government. They take away our money from year to year. The most important posts are reserved for themselves. We are kept in a state of slavery. They behave insolently [insultingly] towards us and disregard our feelings. . . .”

Which event was an effect of the ideas expressed in this excerpt and the actions taken by Gandhi?

• Independence for India and Pakistan

• Amritsar Massacre

• Sepoy Rebellion

• Establishment of the British Raj

1. Which claim is best supported by the evidence included in these maps?

• Egypt and Ethiopia are no longer part of Africa.

• By 1980, most African countries had become independent.

• By 1950, most of Africa was controlled by Russia or the United States.

• The Union of South Africa was renamed Namibia.