HOW DID THE WAR AFFECT INDIA?

WERE THERE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE WAR?

• There was no doubt the Viceroy would declare war however he did not consult the political leaders

• The Indian Raj went to war but the Indian nation (led by Congress) revived its campaign of non-cooperation with the British

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE WAR?

• ‘During the Second World War, the erosion of British interests in India was dramatically halted.’

• Japans made a call of ‘Asia for the Asiatics’ which strengthened nationalist opposition to British Rule. This was further invigorated by the fall of imperial Britain in Asia.

• Churchill sent Stafford Cripps to India with the offer of self government after the war in exchange for cooperation during it. Gandhi rejected this and launched the Quit India movement.

• Three years from the end of the war Britain had withdrawn from India.

POST-WAR POSITION

• Across the British political parties India was seen to have become unprofitable and unmanageable by 1945.

• Trading and investment connections were deemed to be best maintained through the friendship of two equal nations.

• Some British firms were selling out to Indian buyers; Britain owed India £1300m.