Impact on Britain in India

India in WW2

Patriotism3 Sept 1939 Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow

declared India at war.No consultation with Indian leaders

Some saw: an “affront (insult) that lasted longer than war”.

Lord Linlithgow:“confronted with the demand that she

should accept the dictation of a foreign power in relation to her own subjects, India has decided to stand firm”

Indian reaction2 m joined the army.Gandhi (INC) and Jinnah (ML) agreed to halt

plans for an Indian federation.BUT! Gandhi – advised pacifism and offered to go

to meet Hitler.Nehru and Congress attacked Hitler and

British appeasementCongress resigned from the ministries.Angered the British

and opened a door for the Muslim leaders.

Working Committee Muslim League, 1940

Lahore ResolutionJan 1940

Jinnah: “there are in India two nations”March 1940

100,000 members of Muslim League met at Lahore

Jinnah: “The Muslims are a nation by any definition”He compared Muslim/Hindu issue to

British/Irish situation.Lahore Resolution - Jinnah’s confusing and

complex answer to sectarian issues in India “independent states”

Source analysis and evaluation Jinnah “ It is extremely difficult to appreciate why our Hindu friends fail to

understand the real nature of Islam and Hinduism. They are not religions in the strict sense of the word, but are, in fact, different and distinct social orders, and it is a dream that the Hindus and Muslims can ever evolve a common nationality, and this misconception of one Indian nation has troubles and will lead India to destruction if we fail to revise our notions in time. The Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies, social customs, cultures. They neither intermarry nor interdine together and, indeed, they belong to two different civilizations which are based mainly on conflicting ideas and conceptions. Their aspect on life and of life are different. It is quite clear that Hindus and Mussalmans derive their inspiration from different sources of history. They have different epics, different heroes, and different episodes. Very often the hero of one is a foe of the other and, likewise, their victories and defeats overlap. To yoke together two such nations under a single state, one as a numerical minority and the other as a majority, must lead to growing discontent and final destruction of any fabric that may be so built for the government of such a state”.

AmbiguityResolution was very unclear.

Two equal separations? – A.K. Fazlul HuqTwo wings of one state – Jinnah

Did it mean partition?Did it mean a Hindu state inside an Indian

state?Jinnah clarified his intentions in 1946

Pakistan would be a secular Muslim state he did not favour a religious state

Research Two-Nation Theory also called “hostage theory”Problems

E.g. . what about Muslims not in those areas?Move?Stay as a weaker minority?

What about Sikhs and Pathans in new Muslim state?

Jinnah – Hostage TheoryMinorities would mutually protect rights of

other minorities.

Opinions & ConsequencesLahore ResolutionNehru - “fantastical” (unbelievable)Gandhi – “baffling” (confusing)British – kept quiet. Evidence of policy to

divide and conquer?Consequence: growing fears of reprisal/

vengeance/ retribution

Churchill as PMHe came to power in 1940 as war

deteriorated for Britain.Reactionary views on IndiaSec of State for India, Lord Zetland,

resigned because his views were considered too progressive.

Leo Amery appointedHis brief – Limited Concessions only.

Amery stated that constitutional reforms in India were on hold and would only continue after the war.

August 1940 OfferA constitutional settlement was proposed.

Dominion StatusRejected by CongressViceroy Linlithgow promised a crack down

on Congress if it initiated civil disobedience.Congress called for individual acts of

disobedience.Linlithgow wanted to declare Congress a

treasonable organisation but Churchill turned him down (why?).

20,000 imprisonments inside one year

Indian National ArmyFormed and led by Subhas Chandra Bose.Was it an army of traitors or were they freedom

fighters?1941 – Bose under house arrest.

He fled to Berlin to set up an army of liberation.Set up Indian legionSet up radio and issued propaganda about “Free India”.

Bose realised after meeting with Hitler that Germany only interested in his anti-British propaganda

Fled to Japan where he was supported by General Tojo Gained 10,000 volunteers.

INAINA – between 15000 and 50000 people.Went into battle against the British

Poorly suppliedMany killed and thousands surrenderedBose escaped and died in an air crash.

INA provoked unrest during and after war - how to deal with the captured INA soldiers.

1942Threat of invasion of UK over but war still

going badly.Threat of Japan increased

British defeats in the east and India under real threat.

Churchill needed strategic support of the USA

Churchill and Roosevelt disagreed strongly about the role of Britain in India.

Atlantic CharterAug 1941Basis for cooperationIncluded support for “sovereign rights and

self-government”Churchill’s view – this only applied to

conquered countriesRoosevelt’s view – fundamental principle

applying to all.FDR - pushed Churchill to make

concessions in India.

FDRWarned ChurchillUSA will not help Britain to hang onto the

empire.Even if an Indian uprising leads to invasion

by Japan/Germany.Churchill agreed to send Sir Stafford Cripps

to discuss Dominion status.

Cripps MissionWhy did he send Cripps?To buy off RooseveltCripps was a potential rival and this was

impossible taskLinlithgow not informed so angry with

Cripps from the start.

Cripps MissionTwo aims1. To discuss and win support for the offer of

dominion status.2. To discuss arrangements for the rest of

war and to give minimal concessions on this.

He announced his conclusions to a resounding lack of support from all sides including British

Offered to resign, withdrew it and parliament discussed the failure.

FailureTask One.Stuck to itUnder dominion status. Provinces would be

not to join the union.Encouraging Muslim disengagement from

Congress and Union?March 1942 – Cripps – first one to talk of

two states and the relocation of peoples.

FailureTask 2Went too far.Suggested an Indian Representative to join

the executive council.Angered Linlithgow and ChurchillFDR – proposed immediate dominion govt.Opposed by Churchill and Linlithgow.

ConsequenceWeakening of CongressGood for Churchill, Amery and LinlithgowUSA, Chinese and Labour Party demands

diminished in face of Congress’ ungrateful actions.

ConsequenceConstitution reform – put away FOR THE DURATION.Both sides harden their stanceLinlithgow:More press censorshipMore spying on CongressSummer 1942 – plans being drawn up for civil

disobedience.Mass strikes, destroy communications and railways.Intercepted by BritishLinlithgow – first plan – arrest and deport CongressWar Cabinet authorised Linlithgow – all necessary

measures

Quit India Resolution8 August 1942Gandhi - “Do or die for nothing less than

freedom”“to sanction, for the vindication of India’s

inalienable right to freedom and independence, the starting of a mass struggle on non-violent lines on the widest possible scale…. Every man and woman who is participating in the movement must function for himself or herself within the four corners of the general instructions issued”

British ResponseHow did the British respond?What was the effect of suppression on

respect for the British?

Viceroy WavellQuit India civil disobedience was contained.Having twice extended Linlithgow’s office,

Churchill had to choose.He chose Wavell, the Commander in Chief of India.

Why Wavell?A hard line?Wavell had lost confidence as Comm In ChiefPolitical skills and negotiation skills not needed.

Why?No negotiation required or under close control

from London.

Indian SituationWarIndia was paying UK vast sums towards war

effort1943 - £800m - UK could never afford to

repay

WavellTravelled to LondonRealised Churchill knew little about India,

hated India and was not committed to progress.

October 1943Started travelling India to consultHeld regular meets of the 11 provincial

governors.Linlithgow held none.

Bengal FamineTwo terrible harvests -42 and 43Lack of imports and other foodstuffs due to

warMalnutrition – pneumonia, cholera and

malariaBetween 1 and 3 million deaths.Wavell – humanitarian view – lives needed

to be savedPolitically key – British rule is supposed to

be good for idea.Criticisms from Jinnah about incompetence.

WavellActed fastDiverted troops from war to distribute foodIntroduced rationing and control panic buyingHad to request a new governor for BengalRequested grainCherwell advised Churchill that famine was

unlikelyWavell got half what he wanted, twice what he

was promised.By mid 1944 – under controlAmery “great damage to our reputation here”