Britain established control over India in the mid-1800s through the East India Company and imposed colonial rule. Mohandas Gandhi emerged as a leader of the Indian independence movement, advocating for nonviolent civil disobedience such as boycotts. Gandhi organized national boycotts of British cotton goods, which caused British cloth sales in India to fall sharply. Ultimately, India gained independence from Britain in 1947 after decades of Gandhi and others advocating for self-governance through nonviolent protests and civil disobedience.

1. India’s Fight for Independence

2. Countries of South Asia
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

3. Indian Cotton
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.

4. D. Mohandas Gandhi
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

5. 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.

6. Boycott and Independence
• 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

7. Boycott and Independence
• 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