Why was Churchil vehenemtly hateful of Indians why was the public sentiment so at the time?
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Winston Churchill's vehement dislike of Indians, particularly during the time of British rule over India, stemmed from several factors, both personal and contextual.
### Churchill's Views:
1. **Racist Attitudes**: Churchill held deeply racist views, which were not uncommon among British imperialists of his time. He believed in the superiority of the British race and saw non-white peoples, including Indians, as inferior. His derogatory comments about Indians, calling them a "beastly people with a beastly religion," reflect this.
2. **Imperialist Beliefs**: Churchill was a staunch imperialist who believed that the British Empire was a force for good in the world. He saw Indian independence movements as a direct threat to the British Empire. He feared that losing India would lead to the collapse of British global power.
3. **Historical Context**: Churchill's experiences in the British Army and as a colonial administrator further entrenched his views. He saw the British presence in India as a civilizing mission, bringing order, governance, and development to what he considered a backward society.
4. **Response to Indian Nationalism**: The rise of Indian nationalism, led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, was seen by Churchill as a betrayal. He particularly despised Gandhi and the non-violent resistance movement, viewing it as a challenge to British authority that had to be crushed.
### Public Sentiment:
1. **Racial Hierarchies**: During Churchill's time, the idea of racial hierarchies was widely accepted in Britain. The British public, influenced by imperial propaganda, often saw the empire as a benevolent force bringing civilization to "lesser" peoples. This reinforced the view that British rule over India was justified and necessary.
2. **Economic Interests**: Many Britons saw India as the "jewel in the crown" of the British Empire, vital to the British economy. The exploitation of Indian resources and markets contributed significantly to Britain's wealth, and there was widespread public support for maintaining control over India.
3. **Fear of Decolonization**: There was a fear among many Britons that granting independence to India would lead to chaos, instability, and the loss of British prestige. This fear was amplified by the racial prejudices of the time, which doubted the ability of non-white peoples to govern themselves effectively.
4. **World War II**: Churchill's hatred intensified during World War II, particularly during the Bengal Famine of 1943, when millions of Indians died. Churchill’s policies exacerbated the famine, and he was indifferent to Indian suffering, believing that Indian resources should be prioritized for the war effort. The war also deepened British fears of losing their empire, leading to even harsher attitudes toward Indian demands for independence.
### Conclusion:
Churchill's hatred for Indians and the broader public sentiment were products of deeply ingrained racist and imperialist ideologies that dominated British society at the time. These views were reinforced by economic interests, fears of losing global power, and the challenges posed by rising nationalist movements in India.