Round Table Conferences
1ST ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE.
NOV 1930
Chaired by Ramsay Mcdonald.
-16 delegates from the British political parties.
-The conservative group was led by Sir Samuel Hoare and the Liberal Group by Lord Reading.
-Some 58 delegates represented every shade of Indian Political opinion. (NO CONGRESS).
-The princes sent 16 representatives, which strengthened the case of dominion status.
-This had the chance of preventing opposition to the aims of the labour government.
WHAT WAS DECIDED
-India would be run as a type of dominion.
-India would take the form of a federation that would include the princely states as well as the 11 British provinces.
-There would be Indian participation in all levels of government.
2ND ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE
SEP AND DEC 1931
Similar mix of delegates to the first except:
-Gandhi-Irwin pact meant Gandhi was present as the sole representative as he wanted to show the unity of the movement
-Muslim league represented by Iqbal and Jinnah
-Sikhs Tara Singh
-Untouchables Dr Ambedkar.
The conference unravelled over separate electorates demanded by the muslim league
-Gandhi was afraid of the princes, allying with Muslim league.
-Could not agree on a workable constution
-Gandhi took exception to the Untouchables being considered for separate electorates and that
3RD ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 1932
-Only 46 delegates attended, none from the British Labour Party and none from congress.
-They spoke about finance, franchise and the role of the princely states.
However the talks collapsed in confusion.
WHAT WAS DECIDED?
WHY DID THE ROUND TABLE CONFERENCES FAIL
-In august 1931, the first labour government after splitting and replaced by a tory government who had more pressing concerns like the Great Depression.
-Sir Samuel Hoare had more reservations about Indian independence than his predecessor William Wedgewood.
-Winston Churchill set up the Indian defence league and took 50MPs, and campaigned against Indian independence.
-By the time of the third round table conference Ramsay Mcdonald lost the support of his Labour Party.
Situation in Britain
Congress
-Gandhi maintained that he could speak for all of India at the second conference and he wanted congress to be the "umbrella".
However, he alienated muslims and other minority groups.
DIVISIONS OVER SEPARATE ELECTORATES
Jinnah wanted separate electorates and he was supported by the untouchables that were outraged. He also played groups against each other for greater concessions for the muslim league.