GCSE British Empire | Revise Indian Demands for Independence

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History Quiz - Britain: British Empire C. 1919-69 - The Growth Of Indian Demands For Independence (Questions)

This GCSE History quiz looks at how Indian nationalist demands grew between the world wars, from protests and Congress campaigns to calls for full independence from British rule.

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Fascinating Fact:

The Government of India Act 1935 increased provincial autonomy. Nationalists criticised it as too limited and too slow.

In GCSE History, this topic explains how Indian demands for independence changed from 1919 to 1947. You study the role of the Indian National Congress, British reforms, mass protests, and the growing belief that India should rule itself.

Key Terms

Indian National Congress: A major political organisation in India that led campaigns for greater self government and, later, full independence from British rule.
Civil disobedience: A form of non violent protest in which people deliberately break certain laws or refuse to cooperate with authorities to show opposition.
Government of India Act 1935: A British law that gave more power to elected provincial governments in India but kept ultimate control in British hands.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

Why did Indian demands for independence grow between 1919 and 1947?

Demands grew because many Indians felt betrayed by limited reforms after the First World War, were angered by repression and massacres, were inspired by nationalist leaders, and believed Britain was weakened by economic problems and the Second World War.

What was the Government of India Act 1935 in GCSE History?

The Government of India Act 1935 created larger elected councils in the provinces and gave them control over some areas like education and health, but major decisions and defence stayed under British control.

What should I revise for the growth of Indian demands for independence?

Revise the role of the Indian National Congress, key leaders, protests and civil disobedience campaigns, British reform acts, changing British attitudes, and how these pressures eventually led to independence in 1947.

Try These Related Quizzes

In which other area, apart from India, was Gandhi active as a radical lawyer, protesting against racial discrimination, before his return to India?

[ ]	South Africa
[ ]	Kenya
[ ]	Uganda
[ ]	Nigeria

In 1930 Gandhi led a famous "March to the Sea" to protest about a government tax on a particular commodity. What was this commodity?

[ ]	Sugar
[ ]	Cotton
[ ]	Tea
[ ]	Salt

Jawarhalal Nehru led a mainly Hindu party seeking to compel Britain to offer independence to India. What was the full name of this party?

[ ]	The Congress Party
[ ]	The Hindu League
[ ]	The Indian National Congress
[ ]	Congress

In 1931 Gandhi managed to sign a deal with the then Viceroy (Governor) of India. The agreement did not last. Who was this viceroy?

[ ]	Willingdon
[ ]	Linlithgow
[ ]	Reading
[ ]	Irwin

A Muslim League was founded in 1935. Which Muslim aristocrat was responsible for this?

[ ]	Ayub Khan
[ ]	Zia ul-Haq
[ ]	Jinnah
[ ]	Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Churchill sent a left-wing Labour figure to India in 1942 to urge Gandhi especially to support the British war effort, as India seemed increasingly vulnerable to a Japanese attack. Who was this envoy?

[ ]	Arthur Henderson
[ ]	Aneurin Bevan
[ ]	Sir Stafford Cripps
[ ]	Michael Foot

Gandhi became more militant as the war went on. Later in 1942 he began a campaign to force the British to leave. What was the name of this campaign?

[ ]	British Out
[ ]	British Go
[ ]	Time To Go
[ ]	Quit India

On the other hand another Hindu, Subhas Chandra Bose, set up an army to fight on the same side as the Japanese. What name was given to this army?

[ ]	The Indian Nationalist Army
[ ]	The Indian National Army
[ ]	The Indian Independence Army
[ ]	Sons of India

Who replaced Wavell as Viceroy, instructed to pull the British out of India on honourable terms?

[ ]	Mountbatten
[ ]	Slim
[ ]	Freyberg
[ ]	Smuts

10.

Which princely state in the far north of British India was not a part of the 1947 terms, and remains a bone of contention between India and Pakistan to this day?

[ ]	Punjab
[ ]	Sikkim
[ ]	Bhutan
[ ]	Kashmir

History Quiz - Britain: British Empire C. 1919-69 - The Growth Of Indian Demands For Independence (Answers)

In which other area, apart from India, was Gandhi active as a radical lawyer, protesting against racial discrimination, before his return to India?

[x]	South Africa
[ ]	Kenya
[ ]	Uganda
[ ]	Nigeria

Gandhi had grown up in India, but he had gone to London to train as a barrister. After his education he did not return immediately to the land of his birth

In 1930 Gandhi led a famous "March to the Sea" to protest about a government tax on a particular commodity. What was this commodity?

[ ]	Sugar
[ ]	Cotton
[ ]	Tea
[x]	Salt

The violent reaction of the police on this occasion played into Gandhi's hands. Gandhi urged his followers never to answer force with force, but always to behave non-violently

Jawarhalal Nehru led a mainly Hindu party seeking to compel Britain to offer independence to India. What was the full name of this party?

[ ]	The Congress Party
[ ]	The Hindu League
[x]	The Indian National Congress
[ ]	Congress

Gandhi and Nehru hoped that it would be possible for both Hindus and Muslims to work together in the same party to end British rule in India

In 1931 Gandhi managed to sign a deal with the then Viceroy (Governor) of India. The agreement did not last. Who was this viceroy?

[ ]	Willingdon
[ ]	Linlithgow
[ ]	Reading
[x]	Irwin

The British were anxious to keep Gandhi out of prison, and to make progress towards Indian self-government. But they were not yet prepared to confer full sovereignty

A Muslim League was founded in 1935. Which Muslim aristocrat was responsible for this?

[ ]	Ayub Khan
[ ]	Zia ul-Haq
[x]	Jinnah
[ ]	Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

The foundation of this organisation made it more difficult for Indians to present a united front against British rule

[ ]	Arthur Henderson
[ ]	Aneurin Bevan
[x]	Sir Stafford Cripps
[ ]	Michael Foot

The Indian nationalist leaders had great respect for the British Labour Party. Gandhi had met many of its members during his visit in the early 1930's. However this mission was unsuccessful

Gandhi became more militant as the war went on. Later in 1942 he began a campaign to force the British to leave. What was the name of this campaign?

[ ]	British Out
[ ]	British Go
[ ]	Time To Go
[x]	Quit India

Gandhi realised that the British were in a weak position: squeezed between advancing Japanese armies to the east, and growing nationalist fervour in India itself

On the other hand another Hindu, Subhas Chandra Bose, set up an army to fight on the same side as the Japanese. What name was given to this army?

[ ]	The Indian Nationalist Army
[x]	The Indian National Army
[ ]	The Indian Independence Army
[ ]	Sons of India

This was never a large military force. Many more Indians joined up in the British forces