2. The WAY BACK Machine
Way back, around
World War I, the British
had already begun
discussing freeing India.
Meanwhile, the Muslim
and Hindu populations
of India presented a
serious potential for
fighting.
The Indian National
Congress was primarily
Hindu and so the
Muslims formed a group
called the Muslim
League.
3. Mohandas Gandhi
Gandhi led the
independence
movement of
India, using non-
violence.
Led boycotts against
British clothing
and of British salt.
He also fasted to show
his frustration with the
British.
What American event
and person does this
sound like?
4. Limited Freedom to Total Freedom
Right before World War II, the British gave India self-
rule, meaning they could vote for their leaders.
After World War II, Britain was ready to give them
complete independence because it was expensive to
run India.
5. Breaking It In Pieces To Keep The Peace
However, fearing a war might break out between the
Muslims and Hindus, Britain divided the country into
two: India (for Hindus) and Pakistan (for Muslims) in
1947.
Both groups were happy and began moving to their
respective areas.
6. Violence Came Anyway
In spite of this, one
million people died
during fighting as
groups migrated to the
new regions.
A major source of
problems has been the
Kashmir, a place India
controls, but that is
predominantly Muslim.
7. Enter: The UN
The situation got so bad that the UN had to get
involved.
India was forced to give 1/3 of the region to
Pakistan.
Problems still continue.
8. Enter: Bangladesh?!
The original division of
India and Pakistan made
little sense because
Pakistan was divided into
two parts with India in the
middle.
Pakistan’s government
was located in Western
Pakistan and the eastern
portion felt ignored.
With India’s aid, East
Pakistan fought for, and
gained, independence
becoming Bangladesh.
