Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The growth of nationalism: impact of war; the Indian National Congress and…
Full specification wording
The First World War and its impact on British India, 1914–20: The growth of nationalism: impact of war; the Indian National Congress and emergence of Gandhi; the Lucknow Pact and role of Jinnah; Home Rule Leagues; response to British legislation and the significance of Amritsar, 1919-20.
The First World War stimulated Indian nationalism.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The First World War stimulated Indian nationalism. Wartime hardship, inflation and the 1918 influenza pandemic caused discontent, while promises of reform raised expectations. The Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, became the main platform for nationalist demands. Gandhi emerged as a leader after his return from South Africa in 1915, using satyagraha and non-cooperation. In 1916 the Lucknow Pact allied Congress and the Muslim League, and Jinnah played a key role in negotiating it. Home Rule Leagues, led by Tilak and Annie Besant, campaigned for self-government. The Rowlatt Acts and the Amritsar massacre in 1919 provoked outrage, and the 1919 Government of India Act offered limited reform. By 1920, nationalism had grown and Gandhi launched non-cooperation.
What earns the marks
- Explains how the First World War increased Indian nationalism through hardship, inflation, the 1918 influenza pandemic, and expectations raised by wartime promises.
- Describes the Indian National Congress as the main nationalist organisation and explains how its demands grew during the war.
- Explains Gandhi's emergence as a leader after 1915, including his use of satyagraha and non-cooperation.
- Explains the Lucknow Pact of 1916 as an agreement between Congress and the Muslim League, and assesses Jinnah's role in negotiating it.
- Describes the Home Rule Leagues led by Tilak and Annie Besant, and explains their campaign for self-government.
- Analyses Indian responses to British legislation, especially the Rowlatt Acts and the 1919 Government of India Act.
- Assesses the significance of Amritsar in 1919–20 for the growth of nationalism, including outrage and the shift towards non-cooperation.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the Indian National Congress as a single, unified body with one view.
Put it right: It contained different groups and opinions, and its demands changed over time.
Confusing the Lucknow Pact (1916) with the Montagu-Chelmsford Report (1918).
Put it right: The Lucknow Pact was an agreement between Congress and the Muslim League; the Montagu-Chelmsford Report was a British constitutional scheme.
Stating that Gandhi led the Home Rule Leagues.
Put it right: The Home Rule Leagues were led by Tilak and Annie Besant; Gandhi's rise to national leadership came through other campaigns.
Claiming that the Amritsar massacre immediately caused independence.
Put it right: It caused outrage and strengthened nationalism, but British rule continued for decades.
Exam tips
- Link each nationalist development to the impact of war: wartime hardship, raised expectations, and the 1919 reforms and repression.
- For questions on Gandhi, explain what satyagraha and non-cooperation meant in practice, not just that he led protests.
- When discussing the Lucknow Pact, explain what each side gained and why Jinnah's role mattered.
- For significance questions on Amritsar, consider both immediate reactions and longer-term effects on Congress, Gandhi, and British authority.
Try the lesson
The start of the The First World War and its impact on British India, 1914–20: The growth of nationalism: impact of war; the Indian National Congress and emergence of Gandhi; the Lucknow Pact and role of Jinnah; Home Rule Leagues; response to British legislation and the significance of Amritsar, 1919-20. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the primary significance of the Lucknow Pact of 1916 for the Indian nationalist movement?
Listen
The First World War stimulated Indian nationalism. Wartime hardship, inflation and the 1918 influenza pandemic caused discontent, while promises of reform raised expectations. The Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, became the main platform for nationalist demands. Gandhi emerged as a leader after his return from South Africa in 1915, using satyagraha and non-cooperation. In 1916 the Lucknow Pact allied Congress and the Muslim League, and Jinnah played a key role in negotiating it. Home Rule Leagues, led by Tilak and Annie Besant, campaigned for self-government. The Rowlatt Acts and the Amritsar massacre in 1919 provoked outrage, and the 1919 Government of India Act offered limited reform. By 1920, nationalism had grown and Gandhi launched non-cooperation. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how the First World War increased Indian nationalism through hardship, inflation, the 1918 influenza pandemic, and expectations raised by wartime promises. Describes the Indian National Congress as the main nationalist organisation and explains how its demands grew during the war. Explains Gandhi's emergence as a leader after 1915, including his use of satyagraha and non-cooperation. Explains the Lucknow Pact of 1916 as an agreement between Congress and the Muslim League, and assesses Jinnah's role in negotiating it. A common slip: Treating the Indian National Congress as a single, unified body with one view. Instead, it contained different groups and opinions, and its demands changed over time. Exam tip: Link each nationalist development to the impact of war: wartime hardship, raised expectations, and the 1919 reforms and repression.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. The Amritsar massacre provoked outrage
- 2. The Indian National Congress was founded
- 3. The Lucknow Pact allied Congress and the Muslim League
- 4. Gandhi returned from South Africa and emerged as a leader
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Indian National Congress
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
satyagraha
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Lucknow Pact
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Home Rule Leagues
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Indian National Congress
- Founded in 1885, it became the main platform for nationalist demands, though it contained different groups and opinions and its demands changed over time.
- satyagraha
- A method used by Gandhi, who emerged as a leader after his return from South Africa in 1915, alongside non-cooperation.
- Lucknow Pact
- An agreement in 1916 between Congress and the Muslim League, in which Jinnah played a key role in negotiating.
- Home Rule Leagues
- Groups led by Tilak and Annie Besant which campaigned for self-government.
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