Simon Commission (1927)

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

• The Govt. of India act 1919, stated that a commission was to be set up after 10 years to monitor, and enquire into the workings of the original, Act.

Question 2

The British Factor

Answer 2

• The British Conservative Government, feared that it may lose power to the Labour Party.
• The Labour Party was thought, to be too sympathetic to the beliefs of Indian nationalism. And it was feared that they may make too many concessions.
• So the conservatives, decided to BRING THE DATE OF THE COMMISSION FORWARD.

Question 3

The Simon Commission

Answer 3

• In 1927, the British conservatives, appointed a 7 man committee, led by Sir John Simon, to monitor the situation in India.
• All members of it were British, none were Indian, which was seen as an insult, and disgrace, by all Indian parties.
• All parties were convinced that they had to put their differences aside, and work together to oppose it.

Question 4

Opposition

Answer 4

• In Madras(December 1927) the Congress, decided that it would boycott the commission and called for mass demonstrations.
• They also, for the first time, called for independence.
• The commission faces perpetual protests, that it’s members return to England.
• In May 1928, an All Party Conference was held, to draft a constitution which the Indians thought should govern the country.
• This committee that devised this constitution was chaired by Motilal Nehru, & was contained in the Nehru Report, Which overwhelmingly was approved by the all-party conference in September 1928.