In the spirit of radicalism: radical Americans and Indian nationalists battle the US government in 1919–1920

ABSTRACT This article argues that in the spirit of their radicalism and desire for greater national and international equality for India’s people, Americans Agnes Smedley, Frank Walsh, Robert Lovett, Gilbert Roe, and their American radical colleagues joined forces to fight for Indian nationalism in the United States in both a conspicuous and effective manner. They created petitions for American politicians, published many condemnatory news articles, took to the streets in places like New York City, and helped Indian nationalists in their struggles against the US government after the Indo-German conspiracy. This article also pinpoints an important intersection between anti-immigration politics against Indians and their support for enhanced rights for India’s people in the United States. These anti-imperialist Americans broadened their fight against the US government by condemning xenophobic Congressional legislation designed to stifle Asian immigration to the US. By standing in support of India’s nationalism and strife against British imperialism, they also recognized the problems that exclusionary legislation would create for the Indian nationalist movement in America, as well as ordinary Indian immigrants who were coming to America to create better lives.