British Power in India

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Topic: British Power in India 1939-1945 Research question :”There was little change to British power in India during the Second World War.” How far do you agree with this verdict? World War Two had a significant impact on Britain’s relationship with India, the ‘’Jewel of the British Empire’’. It was the final trigger in the decolonisation of India and showed up Britain’s weaknesses as a world power. At a time of war India was a big advantage for the British, because of the large population and its strategic position within Asia. When the Second World War hit, the Indians were already having problems with the British. The British Indian Empire was forced to mobilize against the Axis powers by the United Kingdom, without consulting important Indian leaders. Mahatma Gandhi and various leaders of Indian National Movement showed strong resistance and objection, asking for complete pacifism. The British Prime Minister Churchill did not want to offer them anything. In 1942, Sir Stafford Cripps on his first mission went to India to secure full Indian cooperation and support for their efforts in World War II. Indian leaders rejected his offer of independence after the war. The failure leaded to division in the Indian National Congress and the development of the 'Quit India' movement which was crushed immediately by British army. Despite this, Indian participation in the Allied campaign remained strong. The Indians provided valuable military assistance in the fight against Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany. But to gain this assistance, British promised dominion status for India once the war had ended. This will lead to one of the most important changes in British Empire the decolonisation of
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