Introduction

• Modern nationalism in Europe and formation of nation states

• In India and many other colonies -growth of nationalism is connected to anti-colonial movement

• Oppression under colonial rule - a shared bond that tied different groups

Effects of First World war(1914-18)

• The war created a new economic and political situation.

• Huge defence expenditure which was financed by war loans and increasing taxes.

• Custom duties were raised and income tax was introduced

• Through the war years , prices increased, leading to extreme hardships for the common people

• Villages were called upon to supply soldiers and forced recruitment took place

• Crops failed ,which lead to acute shortage of food. Famine like situation existed in many parts of the country.

• Influenza epidemic took place . 12 to 13 million people died.

The Idea of satyagrah

• mass-agitation

• Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in January 1915

• power of truth and the need to search for truth

• If the struggle was against injustices ,then physical force was not necessary to fight the oppressor

• A Satyagrahi can win without being aggressive, through non-violence and appealing to the conscience of the oppressor.

Early Experiments of Satyagrah

• 1917 Champaran in Bihar, against Indigo plantation

• 1917 Kheda in Gujarat against payment of revenue

• 1918 Ahmedabad in Gujarat in support of cotton mill workers