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Topic: Taxation by British
Theme: Create Mass Support
Description: Britain created a system of taxation to create revenue for themselves. Locals were forced to pay these taxes and then the British government used them for British benefit and to pay for British colonial administration of the area.

Importance: This angered people as they were basically paying taxes to cover the cost of their own colonization. They expected the British to use this money to help them but instead the British only used it to help in exploiting the colony. This is only going to increase the anti-British sentiment and will probably see people unite in a common cause against taxation.

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Topic: Indian National League

Theme: Create mass support

Description: The creation of the Indian National League was prompted by more educated upper-class Indians who felt that there was not enough Indian representation in the government. The nationalist group was formed in 1885 consisting of mainly wealthy middle-class Indians.

Importance: The Indian National League was seen as the tie between the Indian population and the British powers. However, as unemployment and poverty became more evident in the community due to British rule, The INL became more radicalised and nationalistic.

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Topic: Partition of Bengal
Theme: Create mass support
Description: Opposition to colonial rule started with the British’s decision to part the province of Bengal in north-eastern India, in which a majority of this province consisted of Bengali-speaking Hindus. The partition warrants the creation of the eastern province consisting of a Muslim majority and a western province with a majority of Bihar/Oriya-speaking Hindus. Bengali-speaking Hindus saw this as a threat to weaken their nationalism and place in the region.
Importance: The partition inspired the start of the anti-partition movement. In which protests, petitions, and rallies were being held to oppose the new rule. These acts failed, but the organized boycott of British goods succeeded immensely. They encouraged the use of local products and burned any British manufactured goods getting imported (British imports to India dropped by 25%). Even with mass arrest from British forces, Indian nationalists from diverse regions were still united in the opposition to the partition of Bengali. It also brought about the newer generation of nationalists.

This movement prompted the British into rethinking their policies and further allowed Indians to understand their ability to question the decisions of the colonial powers.

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Topic: World War I
Theme: Counteract Divide and Rule Strategy of British
Description: World War I was a conflict amongst the European powers. Subsequently, this also meant that their empires were forced to get involved too. India sent over thousands of soldiers and resources in support of Britain.
As the war progressed, dissatisfaction grew and there was a lack of loyalties for Muslims in India as the Ottoman Empire (Leading Islamic state) had an alliance with Germany.
Indians realized that Britain had been heavily dependent on their help in the war, and had hoped their sacrifices could be rewarded through greater representation in the government. Returning soldiers also shared their high-standard living experiences.

Importance: India’s experience with World War I increased nationalist sentiments and longed for the British to enable India with a higher degree of independence.

In 1917, Britain announced that they were gradually implementing self-governing institutions. But did not follow through with this as it was turned down by the Congress and Muslim League due to it not being extensive enough.

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Topic: The Muslim League
Theme: Create mass support
Description: The formation of the Muslim League was in opposition of the Congress because Jinnah believed that they were prioritizing Hindus. He wanted for India be a separate muslim state as he said that India as never been one nation, this state is known as Pakistan. There was a divide between those who supported the Congress versus the Muslim League. Both parties tried to negotiate with each other, however, when this failed, Jinnah protested through “Direct Action”. Which was a silent form of protest against the Congress and British. Unfortunately, in Calcutta, it turned violent, resulting in 4,000 deaths and the loss of 100,000 homes. The destruction in India caused the British to give power over in 1947. Gradually, the Congress allowed Jinnah’s ideas to become a reality; partitioning into India and Pakistan. 40 Muslims remained in the idea and there were 8 million Hindus in Pakistan.

Importance: This encouraged groups of people with the same religious beliefs to come together and fight for their beliefs; increasing nationalism in India.

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Topic: Rowlatt Act
Theme: Create Mass Support
Description: British government passed this legislation in order to remove key rights such as freedom of speech and the right to protest or hold meetings.

The Act was an extension from the emergency measures implemented during WWI to control public unrest and remove any conspiracy in India.
The Act allowed the government to imprison anyone suspected of overthrowing the government without trial.

Importance: This repressive Act angered the people and Congress (Indian National Congress) quickly organized protests against this law. These protests became bigger and people rallied behind the cause forcing the government to send in troops to stop them. This led to the Amritsar Massacre later on.

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Topic: Government of India Act
Theme: Counteract Divide and Rule Strategy of British
Description: This act was passed by the British parliament and was viewed as an important step towards India’s self-independence. Although the main government was still under British rule, certain sectors like Agriculture or health were left in charge to Indian ministers. The British still had control over police forces and the justice system. They allowed 10% of the male population to vote for provincial matters. However, nationalists were still unhappy with these implementations.

Importance: India’s nationalists were dissatisfied with Britain’s position of power. However, as Japan began to claim more victories throughout Asia in 1942, General Churchill realized he needed India’s support. Therefore, he promised that he would grant India independence if the Congress gave their full-fledged war support to Britain. This shows how Indian nationalists were able to negotiate with the British in order to gain independence.

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Topic: The Amritsar Massacre
Theme: Create Mass Support
Description: There was an increase in protests in India in opposition to the harsh measures, such as marching. Another form of protest that spread nationwide was work striking. The government had imposed a ban on public meetings, to which they ignored. This led to a fire opening on a crowd of 5,000 people - resulting in 379 deaths. Many of which were women and children due to the escape routes being blocked off by soldiers.

Importance: The aftermath of the massacre increased the support of the congress, with people urging the end of British rule. This is when Gandhi, a leader in the Congress, spoke out against his condemnation of the massacre. He was then involved in the nationalist movement and obtained a dominant position of power within it, creating a lasting impact.

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Topic: Non-Cooperation Movement
Theme: More effective protest
Description: Gandhi’s main belief and proposition was the individuality of the Indian state. He believed in a self-rule which meant self-government for India, and self-control for the individuals. The latter would help achieve the first ideology and defeat the British, resulting in the start of the non-cooperation campaign.

This campaign meant that many Indians renounced their titles, refused to work under/for the British, refuse to buy British goods, and did not pay taxes.

The campaign inevitably led to violence, which resulted in the end of the campaign, and the arrest of Gandhi.

Importance: This nonviolent form of protest exposes the dependence of the British on Indian labor, which could enforce nationalistic ideas in communities. The oppressors become increasingly aware of their ability to overthrow the British in becoming an individual state, which further proves and strengthens their own nationalism and belief in their own country's strength.

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Topic: Wall-Street Crash and Depression
Theme: Create mass support
Description: India faced multiple issues and losses after the end of the First World War attributed to the growing population, the Depression, and the effects of the Wall-Street crash (Collapse in the New York stock exchange leading to a worldwide economic crisis).

This Depression caused major economic and social change in India. India saw a decline in overseas market exports and the value of exports dropped, forcing peasants to resort to borrowing and potentially kicked off land if their debt became too demanding. A large majority of rural people were left unemployed. As a consequence, the peasants migrated to urban areas to look for jobs, but instead contributed to the increase of unemployment in urban areas.

Importance: The issues inflicted upon India both economically and socially brought about the civil unrest of the 1930s. Masses were unsatisfied and angered over their unemployment, causing them to join the nationalist movement.

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Topic: Civil Disobedience
Theme: More effective Protest
Description: Civil obedience is the non-violent  refusal to follow the given laws. This movement is done in hopes to bring change in government or policies.

Gandhi led one of the campaigns of Civil Disobedience where he marched with thousands of followers to collect salt. Salt was taxed by the British, and by taking their own salt, the Indians opposed the tax. Though this was not seen as a large issue by British officials, it symbolized India’s dependence. Gandhi and 100,000 Indians were arrested and jailed. The campaign was returned with large attention and great publicity.

Importance: Civil disobedience, similar to non-cooperation, is an effective form of protest as it is non-violent and usually opposes unjust laws/policies in a proper approach. The increase of these campaigns showed Indians their ability to defy their oppressors.

The success and recognition following the campaigns enforce nationalistic ideas. More people are starting to understand the individuality of their nation.

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Topic: Quit India Campaign
Theme: Create Mass Support
Description: Gandhi launched this movement during an All India Congress Committee session. He gave Britain an ultimatum; to leave India immediately or face appalling consequences. This movement was a form of civil disobedience. There was mass agitation that followed with violence, resulting in multiple arrests. The reason for this movement was due to Britain involving India in WWII without their consent.

Importance: After the war, a member of the war cabinet, Cripps, was sent to discuss with the Indian leaders about their declaration. This granted India Dominion Status. After the said meeting, the belief in anti-British and full-independence began to spread throughout India. This resulted in various protests happening within the country being led by renowned figures. This shows the impact of the Quit India movement.

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Topic: World War II
Theme: Counteract Divide and Rule Strategy of British
Description: As India was under British rule, they were forced to fight against Germany, without consulting the Indian legislative council. This act was used to highlight Britain’s control over India. Japan entered the war in support of Germany, successfully overtaking the European powers. They also surrounded the border of India and heavily damaged the British army and imperial prestige. India struggled to gain independence, this strengthened the nationalist movement in the country. As Britain continued their fight in the war, it was difficult for them to support an emerging nationalist group. The British did not keep their promise of concessions (Churchill told the parliament that they did not need to comply with India). This change in outlook towards India enraged the nationalists.

Importance:  Tension was created between Britain and India due to the new economic measures that were introduced in efforts to increase war efforts, as well as political repression. It was also made clear that Britain was no longer gaining economic advantages from India (in comparison to WWI, where they gained millions of pounds through Indian taxes).

As Britain was on the brink of bankruptcy, having to require support from other countries like the United States, it helped to strengthen the nationalist forces in India; pushing for independence.