Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction
   • Begin by acknowledging that India’s struggle for independence was not an isolated phenomenon but influenced by global events, particularly in North America.
   • Mention how ideas of liberty, equality, and self-determination from the American Revolution and global shifts after the World Wars impacted Indian political thought and actions.
2. Body of the Answer
   • Global Events and Geopolitical Shifts
     • World War I (1914-1918): Explain how India’s support for the British Empire in the war led to political concessions, which included the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and the Government of India Act, 1919 that introduced a concept of responsible government. Despite being limited, this reform set the stage for further political mobilization.
     • World War II (1939-1945): Discuss how the weakening of the British Empire due to the war, and the emergence of the US and Soviet Union as superpowers advocating for decolonization, created an atmosphere conducive for India’s independence movement.
   • Influence of the American Revolution (1776)
     • Emphasize the ideals of liberty and self-determination established by the US declaration of independence and how it inspired Indian leaders, particularly the Indian National Congress (INC), in their struggle against British rule.
     • Discuss how the Indian freedom movement took cues from the non-violent revolution of America, shaping leaders like Gandhi to pursue non-violent means to achieve independence.
   • Parallel Symbolic Acts
     • Draw parallels between the Boston Tea Party and Gandhi’s Salt March (1930). Both were acts of resistance against colonial control over essential goods.
     • Mention the Swadeshi Movement (1905) which called for a boycott of foreign goods similar to the Non-Importation Movement in the USA, further indicating the influence of American resistance movements.
   • Literary and Intellectual Influence
     • Mention Henry David Thoreau’s essay ‘Civil Disobedience’ (1849), which inspired Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent civil disobedience. Thoreau’s ideas on passive resistance provided a theoretical basis for peaceful protest against British rule.
   • Influence of Indian Expatriates in North America
     • Discuss the role of the Ghadar Party (founded by Indian expatriates in North America) in promoting the cause of Indian independence. The Ghadar Party spread nationalist sentiments and organized revolutionary activities to weaken British colonial rule.
   • Other Global Influences
     • Briefly mention other global influences such as the Russian Revolution (1917), which spread socialist ideas and affected Indian socialist movements, and the global push for decolonization post-World War II.
3. Conclusion
   • Summarize that global events, particularly those in North America, significantly influenced India’s freedom struggle. These events provided both ideological inspiration and practical models of resistance, strengthening the resolve for India’s independence.
   • Conclude by reiterating that India’s path to independence was intertwined with global movements and ideologies, reflecting the interconnectedness of the world’s struggles for freedom.

Relevant Facts to Use in the Answer

1. World War I (1914-1918):
   • Indian soldiers fought for the British Empire, expecting political concessions in return.
   • The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) and the Government of India Act led to partial political concessions.
2. World War II (1939-1945):
   • British Empire weakened after the war, and global powers like the US and USSR advocated for self-rule.
   • The Quit India Movement (1942) emerged, coinciding with global anti-colonial sentiment.
3. American Revolution (1776):
   • US declaration of independence inspired Indian leaders to challenge British rule and seek self-determination.
   • The principles of liberty, equality, and democracy resonated with Indian freedom leaders like Gandhi.
4. Boston Tea Party and Salt March (1930):
   • Gandhi’s Salt March was a direct act of civil disobedience, similar to the American Boston Tea Party in resisting British monopolies on essential goods.
5. Swadeshi Movement and Non-Importation Movement:
   • Both movements advocated boycotting foreign goods, drawing from the American model of non-importation in their resistance against British goods.
6. Civil Disobedience and Thoreau’s Influence:
   • Henry David Thoreau’s essay “Civil Disobedience” (1849) profoundly influenced Gandhi’s non-violent resistance strategy.
7. Ghadar Party (North American Expatriates):
   • The Ghadar Party, founded in North America, played a crucial role in spreading nationalist ideologies and promoting revolutionary actions to achieve Indian independence.
8. Russian Revolution (1917):
   • The spread of socialist ideologies after the Russian Revolution intensified the Indian socialist movement, influencing figures like Subhas Chandra Bose.
9. Post-World War II Decolonization:
   • The end of WWII saw a global shift toward decolonization, which directly impacted British policies towards India, accelerating the push for independence.

These facts form the backbone of the analysis, emphasizing the interconnectedness of global events and India’s freedom struggle.