The document discusses how World War 1 changed Indian perceptions of Britain and contributed to the passing of the Government of India Act of 1919 in three key ways: 1) World War 1 opened Indian eyes to the failures of British leadership and weakened perceptions of European superiority. 2) It led to the development of the first truly national mass nationalist movements in India demanding greater self-government. 3) The war increased British insecurity in India and fear of rebellion, which contributed to repressive laws but also a willingness to consider political reforms like those in the 1919 Act.

1. The Government of
India Act 1919
IB Higher Level History

2. Learning Objective
To what extent did the First World War change
Indian perceptions of Great Britain and how did
these contribute to the passing of the
Government of India Act of 1919?

10. Changing Views:Impact
of War
British war effort supported greatly (even
Ghandi!)
Indian eyes opened in the dirt and mud of
Flanders
Were Europeans really civilised/superior?
Incompetence of British leadership during the
battles in Mesopotamia

11. Agitation for reform
Mutinies in 1914-15; Ghadr movement
Home rule leagues (not including defence and
foreign policy) Annie Besent/Tilak “freedom
without separation”
Besant/Tilak’s home rule league very
successful initially
Ultimately failed BUT with consequences as it
had created the first truly national mass
campaign

12. Lucknow Act 1916
At the Congress meeting of December 1916 in
Lucknow, a historic agreement was reached
between the predominantly Hindu Congress
and the AU-India Muslim League. The so-called
Lucknovv Pact covered not only a broad
statement of political objective but also the
precise details of future electorates, once India
was self-governing.

13. The Montagu
declaration 1917
“The increasing association of Indians in every
branch of the administration and the gradual
development of self-governing institutions with
a view to the progressive realisation of
responsible government in India as part of the
British Empire.”

14. Wilson strikes (again)
President VVoodrow Wilson
Fourteen Points of international policy.
These included the right of peoples to
independent nationhood.
Applying this principle to the British Empire
would mean the end for the British in India.
Making matters worse, the British agreed to the
creation of Iraq after WW1. Why support arab
nationalism and not Indian?

15. Post-War Insecurity
Defence of India Act (1915): Unlimited detention
without trial, trial without jury, and the use of
evidence normally not allowed
Fear of Communism/other subversive forces
Rowlatt Act permits closing down of
newspapers etc and use of Defence of India
powers
A potential dictatorship by any other name

16. The Beginning of the
End:Amritsar Massacre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hgRLqBZuMQ

17. Result? Government of
India Act 1919
self-government in the future
changes to councils and electorate:Elected
members now in majority and franchise
extended
division of governmental responsibilities-
dyarchy established. Matters transferred from
central Indian government to provincial
administrations

18. Now plan an essay to
answer the learning
objective
To what extent did the First World War change
Indian perceptions of Great Britain and how did
these contribute to the passing of the
Government of India Act of 1919?

19. Box Plan: Impact of
WW1: on India dramatic
Initial enthusiasm
British leadership failures e.g.: Mesopotamia
Discrediting of European civilization
Mutinies and high death toll (India gate for the War dead
Woodrow Wilson 14 points self-determination
Creation of Iraq-If good enough for Arabs, why not Indians?
Home Rule movements: Besent/Tilak: ultimately a failure but a sign that
mass movements are now a key part of Indian politics and Indian
Nationalism
•

20. Box Plan: Impact of WW1: British
Views of India also dramatic and
equally important
Insecurity: Defense of India Act continued as the
Rowlett act
Insecurity that would lead to later Amritsar Massacre
which in turn would destroy faith in the British
Fear of Communism after 1917
Even though traditional enemy Russia has gone
Opens the door to self government
Woodrow Wilson 14 points self-determination
contribute to insecurity
Creation of Iraq

21. Q1 How would you best
summarize the impact of
WW1 on India?
A) Changes to both British and Indian
perceptions
B) Loss of manpower and emotional impact of
war
C) Development of first mass nationalist
movements-homeroom