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'''The Amritsar Massacre''' was an attack on Indian crowds by the British army in 1919 in [[Amritsar]], [[India]], killing hundreds of protesters.<ref>http://www.amritsar.com/Jallian%20Wala%20Bagh.shtml</ref>

'''The Amritsar Massacre''' was an attack on Indian crowds by the British army in 1919 in [[Amritsar]], [[India]], killing hundreds of protesters.<ref>http://www.amritsar.com/Jallian%20Wala%20Bagh.shtml</ref>

In 1919, worried by the disturbances provoked by economic discontent, the viceroy’s legislative council passed the Rowlatt Acts. These continued for three more years the repressive powers of the Defense of India Act, passed to help fight the World War, which had now ended. The Rowlatt Acts were opposed by every Indian member of the legislative council, and only went through because British officials still formed a majority of councillors. Gandhi called for resistance through "satyagraha" (non-violence), through a national strike or hartal (“lock market”). In Punjab, a tense climate arising from economic troubles and communal hostility resulted both in widespread observance of the hartal and in rioting.

In 1919, worried by the disturbances provoked by economic discontent, the viceroy's legislative council passed the Rowlatt Acts. These continued for three more years the repressive powers of the Defense of India Act, passed to help fight the World War, which had now ended. The Rowlatt Acts were opposed by every Indian member of the legislative council, and only went through because British officials still formed a majority of councillors. Gandhi called for resistance through "satyagraha" (non-violence), through a national strike or hartal (“lock market”). In Punjab, a tense climate arising from economic troubles and communal hostility resulted both in widespread observance of the hartal and in rioting.

On April 12, 1919, five British citizens were killed during a riot by Indian nationalists, who were protesting the Rowlatt bills. The next day, April 13, about 10,000 unarmed Indians assembled in Amritsar, again protesting the bills. Refusing to disperse, the Indians were fired upon by Gurkha troops under the command of British brigadier general Reginald Dyer (1864-1927); 379 Indians were killed and about 1,200 wounded. After the shooting, Dyer imposed martial law and ordered floggings and public humiliations. Dyer's actions were denounced in the British House of Commons but upheld in the House of Lords.  The massacre was viewed in Britain as an unfortunate but necessary act and Dyer, who was forced to retire from the army as a result, was seen as a victim. British support for Dyer came from the upper and middle classes and those with direct connections with India or the army. The British had always justified the use of force in moral terms, but the Amritsar massacre fatally undermined any moral claims the British made to rule India.

On April 12, 1919, five British citizens were killed during a riot by Indian nationalists, who were protesting the Rowlatt bills. The next day, April 13, about 10,000 unarmed Indians assembled in Amritsar, again protesting the bills. Refusing to disperse, the Indians were fired upon by Gurkha troops under the command of British brigadier general Reginald Dyer (1864-1927); 379 Indians were killed and about 1,200 wounded. After the shooting, Dyer imposed martial law and ordered floggings and public humiliations. Dyer's actions were denounced in the British House of Commons but upheld in the House of Lords.  The massacre was viewed in Britain as an unfortunate but necessary act and Dyer, who was forced to retire from the army as a result, was seen as a victim. British support for Dyer came from the upper and middle classes and those with direct connections with India or the army. The British had always justified the use of force in moral terms, but the Amritsar massacre fatally undermined any moral claims the British made to rule India.