1

DAILY
CLASS NOTES
Modern History

Lecture – 40
World War Dilemma and
Cripps Mission
 2

World War Dilemma and Cripps Mission

28 Months of Congress Rule:
 After the 1937 Election, the congress working committee decided to accept office under the 1935 Act. In July
1937, congress ministries were formed in six provinces and later in the NWFP and Assam.
 These ministries tried their best to improve the condition of the people within the narrow limits of the powers
given to them under the Act of 1935.
 Achievements:
 They set up new standards of honesty and public service. They reduced their own salaries drastically to
Rs. 500 per month. Most of them travelled in the second or third class on the railways. They were easily
accessible to the common people.
 They changed the entire psychological atmosphere in the country. People felt as if they were breathing
the very air of victory.
Work done to ease curbs on Civil Liberties:
 Emergency laws such as Public Safety Acts were repealed.
 The ban on organizations such as Hindu Seva Dal and on some books were lifted.
 Press restrictions were also lifted and newspapers were taken out of the blacklist.
 Police powers were curbed and CID was stopped from shadowing politicians.
 Further, the political prisoners were released.
 Land confiscated during Civil Disobedience in Bombay was restored.
 Pensions of officials associated with civil disobedience were restored. Also returning leaders from political
exile.
Agrarian Reform Failed:
 Agrarian Reforms failed Congress ministries failed to abolish Zamindari and bring any substantial change in
the agrarian structure.
 They failed mainly because of the following constraints:
 Ministers did not have adequate powers.
 Inadequate financial resources.
 Zamindars had to be conciliated and neutralized before bringing any reform.
 Time constraint was also an issue.
Work for peasant protection/welfare:
 Bihar: Tenancy legislation (1937-38), abolished increased rent since 1911. Arrears on rent and rate of interest
were reduced. No illegal charging dues. Landlords share not more than 9/20 of production.
 UP: Tenancy Act 1939 was passed, giving all statutory tenants in Agra and Awadh full right to hold on land.
No arrest on non-payment of rent.
 Orissa: Tenancy Bill did not pass, mention of reduction of zamindari income from 50 to 60%.
 Madras: T. Prakashan Committee was formed which recommended virtual liquidation of the zamindari
system.
 3

 Bombay/CP and NWFP reform extended security of tenure to tenants were carried out.
 Passing of several debtor’s relief act provided regulation on money lender’s business.
 Liberating tied serfs (dublas)
 Abolition of grazing fees
Major Hindrances:
 Ministries did not have enough power and resources.
 Due to constraint of time Ministries could not do much to address the issues.
 There was a growing war possibility during 1938s.
 Also, the Congress runs states dominated by money lenders, capitalists and landlords.
 There was also a complex agrarian structure.
Labour Welfare:
 There was an advance in workers' interests kept in mind while promoting industrial peace.
 Efforts were made in reducing strikes and arbitration before restoring to strikes.
 Worked on the balance between labour and capitalists.
 Efforts were also made for improved conditions and secured wages.
 The Textile Enquiry Committee (Bombay) recommended an increase in wages, implemented.
 Industrial Dispute Act, 1938 passed replaces direct action with negotiations and arbitration.
 Labour Enquiry Committee (Headed by Rajendra Prasad) recommended increase in wages (min. 15 per
month), benefits and recognition of Left-dominated Majdur Sabha.
Wardha Scheme of Basic Education:
 All India National Education Conference (Wardha Educational Conference) held in 1937 and it was
presided by Mahatma Gandhi.
 Self-supporting schemes of Basic education (Nai Talim, Wardha Scheme) were put forward.
 The main objective was to learn through activity and roam near to manual productive work.
 Free and compulsory education in mother tongue for 7 years was promoted.
 Emphasis was given to vocational and manual training, production of handicraft.
 A Basic Education committee under Zakir Hussain was formed
 Introduction of basic craft education through industry and vocation.
 Teacher welfare schemes and promoting self-support to students.
 Non-inclusion of religion education.
 Recommendations were opposed by Muslim league.
Utilization of Office:
 According to the office acceptance strategy congress will promote mass mobilization.
 Organization of committees in villages.
 Setting up of congress grievances committee at district level.
 Congress police station and Panchayat for dispensing justice.
 Mass petitions to officials, States’ Peoples movement and mass literacy campaign were organized.
 4

Negative Aspects of Office Acceptance:

 Congress promoted civil liberties and permitted the organization to grow.
 “The National Front” weekly organ by Communist Party.
 “The Congress Socialist” by the Congress socialist party.
 “Kirti Lehar” by Kirti communists of Punjab. They were brought from Meerut because of the Unionist
Party led by Punjab.
 Civil liberties were taken to promote evolutionary activities in the form of protests.
 Tussle between Congress and Organization.
 The Ministry and Kisan Sabha in Bihar were formed.
 Left also accused the government's handling of peasant issues as depressing.
Challenges:
 Surfacing of party weakness: Personal and ideological strife.
 Indiscipline and corruption: many power-hungry opportunists induced in Congress.
 The Communist Party attacked the Congress and they were critical of the Congress.
 The Tripuri crisis and Bose’s resignation led to further trouble.
Social Welfare Reforms:
 Prohibition on liquor was imposed in certain areas.
 Measures were taken for the welfare of Harijans such as:
 Temple entry, use of public facilities, scholarships.
 Increase their number in public services, etc.
 Health and educational services were improved.
 Khadi was encouraged through subsidies.
 Prison reforms were undertaken.
 In 1938, the National planning Committee was set up under Subhas Chandra Bose.

Extra-Parliamentary work of Congress:

 Launched mass literacy campaign.
 Set up congress police stations and panchayats.
 A Congressional grievance committee was set up to present a mass petition to the Govt.
 People in states were incited.
Weaknesses:
 Factional squabbles within the congress:
 Indiscipline
 Corruption
 Suppression of leftist and use of CID against their leaders. E.g., In Bombay, K.M Munshi (Home minister)
used CID against the leftist.
 5

Evaluation:
 The work done by the congress ministries disapproved the myth that Indians were not fit to rule.
 Also, people were able to perceive how things were going to be after independence.
 Overall, their record was certainly positive. They resigned in October 1939 due to the deadlock created by
WW - II.
Haripura Session, 1938 (58th Session):
 Under the presidency of Subhas Chandra Bose, Indian National Congress (INC) was held at Haripura, Gujarat
in 1938.
 In this session, a resolution was passed:
 A six months ultimatum given to the British Government demanding independence for India, if British
fail then congress should launch an all-out struggle, to throw out the British from India.
 It was in this 1938 Haripura session when the differences between Gandhi and Bose surfaced over their
attitudes towards Great Britain.
Tripuri Crisis:
 In 1939, Subhash Chandra Bose stood again for the presidential race but as a representative of militant and
radical groups.
 This was, however, objected by Patel, Prasad and Kriplani on the ground that the president is the
constitutional head which represents unity of the nation.
 With support of Gandhi, leaders put Pattabhi Sitaramayya as presidential candidate.
 Bose termed leaders who opposed him as “Gandhists” and accused them of compromising to federalism.
 In the same year Bose won election, Gandhi was upset with his ideology and many members resigned
including Congress Working Committee members.
Tripuri Congress Session (near Jabalpur, MP, 1939):
 Govind Ballabh Pant passed a resolution, expressing faith in Gandhi’s leadership and old Congress Working
Committee and asked Bose to nominate his working committee on Gandhi’s recommendation.
 The resolution was passed by a huge majority, Bose resigned and subsequently Congress lost support from
Communist and Congress Socialists.
 Rajendra Prasad was elected as new president.
 Subhash Chandra Bose and his followers founded Forward Block (party) within congress.
 He called for an all India protest for what happened to him. As a result, he was removed as president of
Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) and debarred from holding any office of congress for
three years.
Gandhi on Subhash Victory:
 Mahatma Gandhi said,
 “I am glad of his (Subhash’s) victory….and since I was instrumental in inducing Dr. Pattabhi not to
withdraw his name after Maulana Azad Sahib done so, the defeat is more mine than his….”.
 When Bose was asked to form working committee on recommendation of Gandhi
 6

 “…after all Subhash Babu is not the enemy of our country…he has suffered for it”. In His opinion, his is
the most forward and boldest policy and programme….the minority can only wish him all the best…”

Timeline of few important events:

 In 1927, an All-India States People's Conference (AISPC) formed, earlier Praja Mandals on moderate
demands
 Between 1920's and 1930's Congress approach was non-intervention.
 In the 1934 Bombay session, Congress explicitly resolved for non-intervention.
 In 1936, Congress Shift in policy, Nehru at the State People's conference stressed the need for mass
movement.
 In October 1937, Congress decided to provide moral and material support to people’s movement.
 Though Gandhiji was skeptical and cautious, he wanted to review this stand. At 1938 Haripura Session a
resolution was adopted to support the people's movement.
 In February 1939, Nehru accepted the presidentship of All-India States People's Conference (AISPC)
 Escalation started at Mysore, Jaipur, Rajkot, Travancore, Kashmir and Hyderabad.
Victor Hope, 2nd Marquess of Linlithgow (18 April 1936 – 1 October 1943)
 7

 Indian provincial elections (1937)

 Indian entry into World War II (1939)
 Day of Deliverance (1939)
 Formation of All India Forward Bloc (1939)
 Lahore Resolution (1940)
 August Offer (1940)
 Cripps Mission (1942)
 Formation of Indian Legion (1942)
 Quit India Movement (1942)
 Formation of Indian National Army (1942)
 Bengal famine (1943)
Congress and World Affairs (1935-1939):
 By now Congress adopted a foreign policy based on condemning racism and imperialism.
 In the 1930s, Congress opposed imperialism in any part of the world and extended support to national
movements in Asia and Africa.
 Congress opposed fascism, raised in Italy, Germany and Japan.
Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) is a regional communist party in India.
 The party was founded on 19 March 1940 by Tridib Chaudhuri and has its roots in the Bengali liberation
movement Anushilan Samiti and the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army.
Congress Ministries and their resignation on the outbreak of war:
 On the dawn of the Second World War on 1 September 1939 WW -II broke out with a German attack on
Poland.
 On 3 September 1939 Britain and France went for Poland’s aid.
 On the same day it was declared by Britain that India is supporting war, to clear the clouds on this in October
1939 ministers resigned office in protest.
 Gandhi considered this as a “bitter pill”.
 This step brought the Left and Right wing of Congress together on the issue of war.
 Also cleaned as the image of congress as power hungry than concern about the freedom of India.
Muslim League Reactions on Resignation of Congress Ministries:
 "Day of Deliverance" (Youm-e-Nijat) was a celebration day marked by the All-India Muslim League and
others on 22 December 1939. It was led by Muslim League president Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and intended to
rejoice the resignation of all members of the rival Congress party from provincial and central offices in protest
over their not having been consulted over the decision to enter World War II alongside Britain.
 In 1938 and 1939, the Muslim League tried to bring light to the grievances of Muslims and Muslim groups in
Indian states run by Congress governments; the effort led to documents like the
 Pirpur Report: In 1938, Muslim sufferings under The Congress rule by A. K. Fazlul Huq and
 Sharif Report (Bihar Province): In 1938, documenting pro-Hindu and anti-Muslim bias under Congress
governments.
 8

 Supporters included the All-India Depressed Classes Association, Dalit leader B. R. Ambedkar and the
Independent Labour Party, E. V. Ramasami, as well as some Parsis, and Anglo-Indians.

World War II 1939-45:

 On Sept 1, 1939 Germany attacked Poland and led to the outbreak of World War II.
 Most of the world powers were divided into two factions:
1. Allied Power consisting of the UK, France, USA, Russia and China.
2. Axis powers consisting of Germany, Italy and Japan.
“Man plans but the Success of his plans depend not on him but on the will of providence which is the supreme
arbiter of our destinies.” — M. K. Gandhi
 On 3 September 1939, the Viceroy Lord Linlithgow (1936-43), unilaterally associated India with the
British's declaration of War on Germany, without consulting the leaders of Indian political parties.
 It placed the Indian leaders in a difficult situation.
 The congress had in unequivocal terms condemned Fascism even before 1939 but they were also strongly
opposed to imperialism.
 Hence, it reacted strongly against this one-sided decision of the viceroy.
Congress’s Stand on World War II:
 The congress made it clear to the British government that India was always
willing to help England to the best of her might and ability provided the
latter makes a clear declaration to free India after the War.
 How far was it possible for an enslaved nation to aid others in their fight
for freedom?
 9

 The congress working committee, which met on September 10-14, 1939 at Wardha (Maharashtra) ,
stressed that “the issue of war and peace for India must be decided by the Indian people”.
 Congress’s Demand
 The Indians' cooperation in the war was possible only if two conditions were fulfilled. These were:
 After the war, constituent assembly should be convened to determine the political structure of free India.
 Some form of genuinely responsible Govt should be established at the centre immediately.
Congress Stand at Wardha (September 1939):
 Gandhiji
 His attitude was still that India should not seek her independence out of Britain’s ruin because that
was not the way of non-violence.
 He stood against fascism.
 He wanted to help allied powers against the axis powers but before that India should be given
freedom.
 Nehru
 He believed that justice was on the side of Britain, France and Poland.
 But he was also convinced that Britain, France and Poland were the imperialist powers and the war
was the result of their inner contradictions of capitalism maturing since WW – I.
 He was in favor of no Indian participation till freedom was granted to India. However, he was also
not in favor of mass struggle which could make the situation difficult for Britain.
 Subhash Chandra Bose
 Subhash Chandra Bose opposed the policy of cooperation and believed that Britain’s peril offered a
rare opportunity to India to achieve freedom.
 Both sides were not worth supporting.
 Instead, he insisted to use this opportunity against Britain
 Similar position by Acharya Narendra Dev and Jayaprakash Narayan
Congress Working Commission Resolution at Wardha:
 India could not be a party to war being fought for democratic freedom while that freedom was being denied to
India.
 If Britain was fighting for democracy and freedom, it should prove it by ending imperialism in its colonies and
establishing full democracy in India.
 Government should declare its war aims and also how the principles of democracy were to be applied to India.
Government Response:
 Linlithgow tried to use Muslim League and Princes against the congress.
 He refused to define war aims beyond stating that Britain was resisting aggression.
 He said that the Government would consult representatives of several communities, parties and princes
and modify the GOI Act 1935 accordingly.
 Basically, the Britishers resorted to their old strategy of ‘Divide and Rule’. They had no intention of
loosening their hold in India during or after the war.
 In January 1940, Linlithgow stated that “Dominion status of Westminster type, after the war, is the
goal of British policy in India”.
Congress ministries resigned in Oct, 1939.
 10

 In Jan 1940, Linlithgow stated that “Dominion status of Westminster type, after the war, is the goal of British
policy in India”.
 Jinnah and Muslim League celebrated it as the Day of Deliverance and also received support from B.R.
Ambedkar.
Gandhi’s view of mass struggle:
 Congress was in a dilemma of mass struggle.
 Gandhi’s view on mass struggle
 He was not in favor of the mass struggle because he felt:
 The Allied cause was just.
 Lack of Hindu-Muslim unity could result in communal riots.
 Congress’s organization was weak.
 Masses were not ready.
 Gandhi advocated to strengthen congress’s organization, carrying political work among masses, and resort
to negotiation with Britishers.
 Note: These were the prime reasons why Gandhi later launched Individual satyagraha.
 Muslim League (1940)
 In March at Lahore – The Muslim League float the idea of Two Nation Theory was
 Elevated Muslims from status of ‘Minority’ to Nation. Jinnah became sole spokesperson.
 Grouping Muslims majority states as independent states (area not specified).
 Safeguard rights where Muslims are in minority.
 “Pakistan Resolution” was introduced by Fazlul Haq.
 Leftist
 However, the leftists within the congress led by S.C. Bose was in favor of an all-out mass struggle. They
felt that the masses were ready and were just waiting for the call.
 They accepted the Hindu-Muslim unity factor and weakness of Congress’s organization. But argued that
these would be strengthened only during the course of the movement.

The August Offer (Aug, 8, 1940):

 11

 Hitler’s continuous victories in Europe brought Britain at back foot. To seek India’s cooperation in war efforts
and to end the constitutional deadlock, Viceroy Lord Linlithgow made an offer which is known as ‘August
offer’. The main points of this offer were as below—
a) The Governor-General would invite a certain number of Indian representatives to join his Executive
council to set up a ‘War Advisory Council’.
b) The constitution-making body was to be set up after the war where mainly Indians would decide the
constitution subject to fulfillment of Government of India’s obligation regarding Defence, minority rights,
treaty with states, All India services.
c) It also proposed Dominion Status as the objective for India.
d) The British government would not transfer power to any system of government whose authority would
be denied by a “large and powerful element in India’s national life.” This was, in fact, an assurance to the
Muslim League.
 Congress rejected the ‘August Offer’. Jawaharlal Nehru said that the whole idea of dominion status, on
which the offer was based, was “as dead as a doornail.”
 Muslim league welcomed the veto given to it but reiterated that “it would not be satisfied with anything short
of the partition of India.”
 Significance:
 For the first time, the inherent right of Indians to frame their constitution was recognised.
 Congress’s demand to concede constituent assembly was accepted.
 Dominion status was explicitly offered.
 July 1941
 Viceroy’s executive council was expanded with 8 out of 12 members Indians. However, Britishers
remained in control of Defence, Finance and Home.
 The National Defence Council was set up whose function was purely advisory.
Ramgarh (presently Jharkhand) Session of 1940:
 Maulana Abul Azad declared that “India cannot endure Nazism and Fascism, but she is more tired of
British imperialism”.
 He passed a resolution declaring the need to launch a civil disobedience movement.
 Opposed by a coalition of left-wing groups (Congress socialist, communists and members of Kisan Sabha and
Forward block) all these held an anti-compromise conference at Ramgarh at Subhash Chandra Bose and
resolved to resist any adjustment with imperialism and prepare themselves for struggle.
Individual Satyagraha or Delhi Chalo Movement Oct 1940-41 (Ramgarh Congress- May 1940):
 Unsatisfied with the August offer, the Congress decided to launch Individual Satyagraha.
 Vinoba Bhave was the first to offer the Satyagraha and Nehru, the Second.
 About 25,000 people had gone to Jail by June, 1941.
 The aim was to show that nationalist patience was not due to Weakness and to express
people’s feeling that they made no distinction between Nazism and the double autocracy
that ruled India.
 12

 The demand of Satyagrahis would be freedom of speech against the war through an anti-war declaration. If the
Govt did not arrest them they would move into the villages and start a march towards Delhi. Hence the
movement is also called the Delhi Chalo Movement.
Changing equation of war by 1942:
 Britain was facing back-to-back defeat. Most disastrous defeat of Britain in the entire history of world power.
 On 22nd June 1941, an attack of Germany on Russia took place under Operation Barbarossa.
 On 7th Dec, Japan backed Germany and attacked Pearl Harbour and occupied the South East Asia region
including Philippines, Indonesia, Malay, Burma and Indo-China.
 Gandhi denounced “Asia for Asiatic” slogan of Japanese and asked Indian to denounce Japanese goods.
 In Dec 1941, Congress Working Committee passed a resolution that India would provide full support to Britain
if it agreed to give full independence after the war.
 During this time Gandhi stated that “Not Rajaji (Rajgopalchari) but Jawahar will be my successor…I know
that when I am gone, he will speak my language”.
 In 1941 the Individual Satyagraha eventually called off.
 In 1941, the eight-year-old ban on the communist party of India was revoked on the condition it would support
the government in war.
 On the other hand
 Germany captured most of Europe and attacked the Soviet Union.
 Japan attacked Pearl Harbour, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma
 In March 1942 Japan reached Rangoon.
 Congress leaders were released in December 1941 and they were anxious to
defend India against Japan.
 The Congress Working Committee passes a resolution offering support if
following condition is fulfilled overriding the views of Gandhi and Nehru:
 full independence after war
 substance of power to be transferred immediately.






