HISTORY: INDIA WW2: ESSAY QUESTION

Question: how accurate is it to say that the Second World War was the most significant factor driving Indian nationalism in the years 1935 to 1945. (20)

One argument for why the Second World War was the most significant factor in driving Indian Nationalism from 1935 to 1945 is because Britain spent vast amounts of money on the Indian army, £1.5 million per year, which made the Indian army feel a boost of self-worth and competence. This would have had a significant effect of Indian nationalism as competence and self- belief are essential in nationalism. Furthermore, Britain paid for most of the costs of Indian troops who fought in North Africa, Italy and elsewhere. This allowed the Indian government to build up a sterling balance of £1,300 million in the reserve Bank of India. This gave Indians freedom of how to spend it which could be spent on new Indian businesses or on infrastructure. This in turn, boosted nationalism as it showed India was becoming less reliant on Britain. However, while India did benefit economically in some aspects from the war, the divisions between Congress and the Muslim League grew. One example of how this occurred could be because the 1937 elections marginalised the Muslim League which made them seem like true nationalists. Once WW2 started these divisions grew as Jinnah returned as a stronger leader wanting better protection of Muslims. As a result, World War Two drove nationalism because of the financial effects on India but increased Muslim nationalism by driving a wedge between the Muslims and Hindus. As a result, this argument is accurate but fails to look deeper into the types of nationalism. A second argument for why the Second World war was the most significant factor in driving Indian nationalism was that USA had put pressure on Britain in 1941 to let India have self-government or Independence as Roosevelt believed all people should have self- determination. Vinayak Savarkar was president of the All- Hindu Mahasabha appealed directly to Roosevelt asking him to guarantee India’s post war freedom. This shows that the USA had a large influence on Indian nationalism as Britain would be forced to acknowledge India’s right for independence if they wanted the USA to help in WW2. Roosevelt believed that in order to defeat the Axis powers India needed to be fully behind the war effort as Japan was a threat to India who had thousands of troops on many fronts. The USA committed troops to Asia to prompt Britain to follow to show India they had not been forgotten. This was a significant factor in driving nationalism as it made Indian’s feel that the west did care about them and they were seen as capable enough by one of the most powerful country’s in the world to govern themselves. However, there is evidence to suggest that the Second World War was not the most significant factor in driving Indian nationalism. One major factor was the Bengal famine in which from 1943 to 1944. This caused the annual death rate to increase from 1.2 million per year to 1.9 million. Many people died from diseases associated with malnutrition. It is estimated between 1 million and 3 million people died. What angered Indian nationalists was the lack of response from Britain in which Viceroy Wavell requested 1 million tons of grain to combat the famine, yet only received 450,000 tons. This gave Bose an opportunity to recruit for his Indian National Army (INA) by guaranteeing food for those who joined. As a result, it can be argued that the Bengal famine drove Indian nationalism but because the poor response from the British made Indian’s feel angry and tired of the repeated failures of Britain. Finally, events in India drove Muslim nationalism and their call for an independent Muslim state. The Second World War was not a main factor for this, instead the Quit India campaign failed to inflict any damage to British rule and increased support for the Muslim League. By the end of the war Muslims were calling for an independent state for themselves in mass and it was becoming a reality. As a result, WW2 did not increase Muslim nationalism that much but more Hindu nationalism. This leaves the conclusion that WW2 was the most significant factor in driving Hindu nationalism, not Indian nationalism. Many events from 1935 to 1945 drove a wedge between Hindus and Muslims which meant they, although both Indian, did not feel they belonged to the same country. The most significant factor in driving Indian nationalism was likely from India becoming less dependent on the British for resources. Frankie, year 12