Peter Schwarzer (Cologne University)

submitted: Fri, 23 May 1997 10:55:18 +0800 (SGT)

Peter C.J. Schwarzer
Ph.D. Candidate
Cologne University, Germany

Mailing address:
31 Holland Grove Drive
Singapore 27 88 72

Phone: 65-463-2597
fax:   65-463-2597
email: schwarzerp@pacific.net.sg

description of work:

Field of research:

While writing my final paper on the British discussion on Indian
independence between 1942 and 1947, I focused on contemporary newspapers,
Penguin editions, Parliamentary debates and radio talks. My main interest
dealt with the question how the British public thought about the transfer
of power to the Jewel in the Crown. At the same time, I felt that the time
period was too short to give a complete picture of events. So, my Ph.D. 
thesis deals with a time frame of almost fifty years. Starting around
1900, I now try to define shifts within public opinion. In 1942 not even
Churchill dared to say in public that he was definitely against Indian
independence, whereas in 1935 he deeply criticised the GAI. While public
opinion in the thirties still was polarized about this matter, at some
point, the British public must have made up their minds backing the later
Labour government to grant independence to the sub-continent.