How did India help Britain during WWI?
- Sent over 1 million soldiers
- Provided money, supplies, and resources
- Expected political reforms afterward
India’s contributions were significant in terms of manpower and resources during the war.
Why were the Rowlatt Acts passed in 1919?
- Britain feared revolution after WWI
- Acts allowed imprisonment without trial → huge protest
The Rowlatt Acts were seen as oppressive and led to widespread unrest in India.
Why did relations worsen after WWI?
- Broken promises of more self-rule
- Rowlatt Acts
- Jallianwala Bagh massacre increased anger
These events contributed to a growing discontent among Indians towards British rule.
What did the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms (1919) introduce?
- Introduced dyarchy in provinces
- Indians controlled education, health; British controlled finance, law & order
- Limited and disappointing
The reforms were intended to increase Indian participation but fell short of expectations.
What were Gandhi’s tactics?
- Non-cooperation
- Civil disobedience
- Boycotts
- Non-violence (ahimsa)
Gandhi’s methods aimed to resist British rule through peaceful means.
Why was the Simon Commission a failure?
- No Indian members
- Seen as racist and illegitimate
The lack of Indian representation led to widespread opposition to the Commission.
What are the differences between Congress and Muslim League?
- Congress: secular, mass-based
- Muslim League: focused on Muslim political rights
These differences shaped the political landscape in India leading up to independence.
What was the significance of the Salt March?
- Symbolic defiance of British monopoly
- Increased mass participation
- Global attention
The Salt March was a pivotal event in the Indian independence movement.
Why were the Round Table Conferences held?
- To find constitutional solutions
- Failed due to disagreements between parties
The conferences aimed to address India’s governance but were marred by conflict.
Why did the Round Table fail?
- Congress was absent in first
- Britain unwilling to give real power
- Hindu–Muslim disagreements
These factors contributed to the ineffectiveness of the Round Table Conferences.
What did the Government of India Act (1935) propose?
- Provincial autonomy
- Federal structure proposed but not implemented
- Largest constitutional reform before independence
The Act aimed to increase Indian governance but retained significant British control.
How did the 1935 Act change governance?
- Provinces had elected ministries
- More Indian participation, but British still controlled defense & finance
The Act marked a step towards self-governance while maintaining British oversight.
Why did Congress & Muslim League reject the 1935 Act?
- Still too much British control
- Separate electorates continued
Both parties felt the Act did not adequately address their demands for autonomy.
Why was there anger at the 1939 declaration of war?
- India entered WWII without consultation
- Congress ministries resigned
The unilateral decision by Britain led to significant political fallout in India.
How did parties react to the war?
- Congress quit government
- Muslim League supported the British
The differing responses highlighted the political divisions in India during the war.
Why did Gandhi launch Quit India (1942)?
- No real promise of independence
- Japan threat used as pressure on Britain
The movement aimed to end British rule in India during WWII.
Why did the Muslim League become stronger in WWII?
- British relied on it after Congress quit
- Increased political legitimacy
The League’s support for the British positioned it favorably in the political landscape.
Why did Britain decide to give independence?
- Britain weakened economically
- Mutinies and unrest
- Pressure from US and UN
These factors culminated in Britain’s decision to grant independence to India.
What was the purpose of the Cabinet Mission in 1946?
- To create a united federal India
- Failed due to disagreements
The mission aimed to resolve the political deadlock but was unsuccessful.
Why did Jinnah call Direct Action Day?
- To demand Pakistan
- Show Muslim support; resulted in riots
This event marked a significant escalation in communal tensions in India.
Why did Attlee send Mountbatten?
- To speed up independence
- He had experience & urgency
Mountbatten’s role was crucial in the final stages of India’s transition to independence.
Why was India partitioned in 1947?
- Hindu–Muslim mistrust
- League demanded Pakistan
- Violence and political deadlock
The partition led to significant upheaval and migration across the subcontinent.
Why did partition cause widespread violence?
- Mass migration
- Weak security
- Communal tensions
The partition resulted in one of the largest human migrations in history, accompanied by significant violence.
