In conclusion, India’s contribution to the war was invaluable, since it provided Britain with massive support both economically and militarily. However, the amount of military support was significantly higher than the amount of economic support. Without India’s military support, Britain would have been unable to defend the British Empire and Japanese forces would have quickly occupied all British colonies, leading to Britain’s ultimate defeat.
2. In what ways did the relationship between the British Government and the Indian political parties change as a result of the Second World War?
In many ways, the relationship between the British Government and the Indian political parties, which included Congress and the Muslim League, changed as a result of the Second World War. Before the outbreak of the war, the British government supported Congress more than the Muslim League. However, as a result of the war the relationship between both Indian parties changed significantly.
Congress was very uncooperative towards the British Government. In September 1939, Lord Linlithgow, the Viceroy of India, declared war on Germany on India’s behalf without consulting the Indian Assembly. India, being a part of the British Empire at the time, supported the war effort. Yet, this proved to be an imprudent decision because the Viceroy failed to consult Indian political leaders, which outraged Congress members. As a result, Congress refused to admit India’s declaration of war against Germany and all Congress state leaders resigned in protest from all government posts. This lack of cooperation Congress showed towards the British Government significantly damaged their relationship and later convinced the British Government that Congress was a disloyal organization.
On the other hand, the Muslim League was very cooperative and showed total commitment to the British Government. While Congress denied that India had ever made any declaration of war against Germany, the League backed the British Government’s claim of India’s declaration of war and pledged its unconditional support throughout the war. The cooperation and commitment that they showed to the British Government gradually won their support and trust. The more the League cooperated with the British, the more the British Government was willing to give in to their demands of a separate state.
Congress refusal to accept the Cripps Mission Plan and the initiation of their open rebellion campaign-“Quit India Campaign” further worsened their relationship with the British Government. In April 1942, Sir Stafford Cripps was sent to India to offer India full dominion Status and the right to secede as soon as the War was over. However, Congress rejected the plan and demanded immediate cabinet government with full power and decision taken by Indians. This was because they had wanted a “united” India and did not want any independent provinces. When their demands were not met, Congress decided to support Gandhi’s non-violent “Quit India campaign”. As a consequent of this act, many Congress leaders were arrested and Congress was banned. The event led to greater mistrust and hatred between the British Government and the Congress, and it also convinced the British government that Congress was a disloyal organization.
On the other hand, the Muslim League was in full supported of Plan and the British government approved the League’s demand of having an independent Muslim province. The fact that the League had the British government’s backing of a separate country showed that relationship had significantly improved, because the League showed unconditional support throughout the war, which eventually won the trust and support of the British
In conclusion, the relationship between the Congress and the British government gradually worsened as a result of the war. This was mainly because of their unwillingness to cooperate with the British government, tendency to rebel against the British government when their demands were not met and lack of patience even though they were promised dominion as soon as the War was over. On the other hand, the relationship between the Muslim League and the British government had significantly improved. This was mainly because of their active cooperation, full-commitment, unconditional support and unquestionable loyalty towards the British government throughout the war and their inexhaustible patience to accept the offer of dominion status as soon as the war was over.
3. Why was India portioned in 1947? (20)
India was partitioned mainly because of Congress’s refusal to share power with the Muslim League. In 1946, the Labor Government sent the Cabinet Mission to India. The plan suggested that India would be a united country with a strong central
Government and the Muslims would be offered protection. Provinces would be grouped together so that some areas would have a Hindu majority, and some areas would have a Muslim majority. Initially, both the Congress and the Muslim League accepted the plan. However, after an Election for a new assembly took place, where Congress won 205 seats and the Muslim League won 73 seats. Congress members changed their minds and refused to accept the cabinet plan, because they believed the Hindu majority represented all Indian people. As a result of this event, members of the Muslim League were outraged at Congress’s withdrawal from the plan and initiated Direct Action, a non-violent demonstration against Congress and the British Government, which later turned into a violent demonstration between the Muslims and the Hindus.
Misinterpretation of Jinnah’s motives was a major cause to the outbreak of violence in Direct Action. In the beginning, the campaign started off as a peaceful demonstration, however violence broke out when the Muslim Chief Minister of Bengal mistook Jinnah’s motives and dispatched hot heads to initiate communal massacre, which killed thousands of Hindus in Calcutta. The Hindus retaliated with great ferocity. These events were repeated in many parts of India. Furthermore, the outbreak of violence in Direct Action showed just how far apart the Muslims and the Hindus were. Except for their nationality, the two had nothing in common. Their religion, language and way of living were completely different from each other.
Because of the Viceroy’s government failure to stop the violence in India, this led to the final decision of having India partitioned. During the outbreak of violence, the police and army were powerless mainly because the police were defecting and joining in the violence, as result trying to maintain control was impossible. Unable to settle the problem, the British government appointed Mountbatten to be in charge of the situation. After having discussions with Congress and the Muslim League, Mountbatten decided that the only way to end the bloodshed was by separating India into two separate states.
Britain’s decision to withdraw from India was another reason why India had to be partitioned. The war had crippled Britain’s economy therefore expenditure in India was unable to continue. Also, the British Government believed that controlling India was no longer a justified act, so they decided that granting India its own control was the right and moral thing to do. Without support and assistance from the British Government, Congress knew it would not be able to successfully unite India. And with much reluctance, Congress had no choice but to agree with Mountbatten’s decision since it turned out to be the most realistic solution. To reduce further bloodshed, the date of Independence was brought forward by 14 days to midnight on 14th of August. Shortly after that, the violence ended abruptly and Britain’s transfer of power to India and Pakistan went smoothly.
In conclusion, India was partitioned mainly due to Congress’s refusal to accept the cabinet mission plan and its unwillingness to share power with the Muslim league, which then triggered off a series of events that led to the eventual partition of India. Had Congress been willing to share power with the Muslim League in the first place, Direct action, the event which led to the partition of India, would never have occurred and India would have been a united country with a strong central government.
