How far do you agree that the First World War was a marked turning point in Britain's relations with India?

The Haladane reforms of 1907 stated that the colonial armed forces were to be mobilised in times of war to fight alongside those of Britain. This meant that during the War India supplied over one and a half million men for service. This expense placed a heavy burden on the Indian taxpayer and pushed the budget into deficit. Although this united the Indian people into a nationalist movement it put them at a disadvantage to achieve this being a debtor of Britain.

Britain in 1914 was the home of ‘business as usual’ believing in the policies of free trade, free currency and free enterprise. Asquith’s Government was strongly opposed to interference in the free play of the market, this decision was strongly supported by the business community and meant that the frequent government interventions in the financial field were regarded as short-term emergency measures. This policy continued until March of 1915 when a coalition Government was brought into office under Asquith after the Shell Crisis of Neuve Chapelle, One of the coalitions first acts was to create the Ministry of Munitions. The advantage that the all-party coalition gave was that it could pass measures that were in violation of beliefs previously held firmly by most liberals and conservatives with almost impunity. In this way Britain moved slowly towards wholesale nationalisation under Asquith’s leadership until he resigned in December 1916.

The war had shattered the nineteenth century liberal vision idealist vision of increasing international cooperation in a peaceful and prosperous world led by the great European powers. Britain had been subjected to the hardships associated with a prolonged siege and capital resources had been used up more quickly than ever before. Social and political certainties had been destroyed in the communist revolution of Eastern Europe and there was a profound sense of loss, all this had a huge affect on political attitudes and led to a belief that the elite of Europe was no longer invincible.

At the treaty of Versailles Lloyd George was worried about British power in Europe being threatened by the French who gained notably at the expense of Germany, this was a concern not held by the British public who still saw Germany as the enemy and supported the French idea of imposing damaging reparations on Germany. As a result Lloyd George had to settle for a compromise knowing that Britain had been severely damaged during the war years, with their economy being devastated by the loss of trade and foreign investments. And with the knowledge that subsequent losses caused by economic instability resulting from the war would ensue for years to follow.

However far from considering abandoning colonial expansionism Britain seized upon the defeat of Germany and Turkey to add to its overseas Empire. As a result of the treaty of Versailles Britain made significant colonial gains in Africa taking control of German East Africa as a British mandate. The Empire seemed to be at its peak, British control continued her ability to keep order in her formal empire and the Navy remained strong. The general opinion of the country was one of pride as the empire was seen to bring peace, prosperity and happiness to less fortunate areas.

By 1919 some countries had however, acquired a large degree of independence, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were now known as part of the Commonwealth rather than part of the Empire, the traditional balance of power had been destroyed. In this sense the First World War was a significant turning point in Britain’s relations with India, it strengthened the determination of Indian nationalists to press Britain for independence at a time of economic crisis in Britain in the interwar years and it was this that eventually led to Britain’s complete withdrawal from India.

Bibliography

The British Empire 1815-1914 - Frank Mcdonough

End Of Empires: European Decolonisation 1919-80 – Gary Thorn

www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk

www.kamat.com/mmghandi/ghandi.htm

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