The Second World War and the Quit India Movement

Introduction

The war placed heavy demands on India’s soldiers, finances, raw materials and industries, while Indian leaders demanded greater political authority and a clear commitment to independence.

Background to the war

The war began in Europe on 1 September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on 3 September, and Viceroy Lord Linlithgow announced that India was also at war.

Congress objected that the decision was taken without consulting Indian representatives, and argued that Britain could not claim to defend democracy in Europe while denying Indians self-government. When Britain gave no satisfactory assurance of independence, the Congress ministries resigned in October-November 1939. The Muslim League under Jinnah welcomed the end of Congress rule and observed 22 December 1939 as the Day of Deliverance, reflecting growing differences between the two parties.

Impact of the war on the subcontinent

1. Political impact

• Britain needed Indian support but was unwilling to transfer immediate power, so tensions with Indian parties increased.
• The August Offer (1940) promised constitutional progress after the war and recognised the need for minority consent. Congress rejected it as it gave no immediate independence. The League continued to press for Muslim political rights and, increasingly, a separate future for Muslim-majority areas.
• The war deepened disagreement and made India’s future more urgent.

2. Economic impact

• India’s finances, raw materials, farm produce and industries supported the war effort. Some industries (textiles, metals, transport equipment, military supplies) expanded, but gains were unevenly shared.
• Expenditure, shortages and disrupted supplies raised prices, especially of food, hurting poorer families.
• The Bengal Famine of 1943 caused widespread starvation and millions of deaths. The causes included the loss of rice supplies from Burma, inflation, wartime disruption and government decisions.
• These hardships increased dissatisfaction with colonial administration.

3. Military impact

• The Indian armed forces expanded to about 2.5 million personnel by the end of the war, serving in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia, but remained under British command.
• Japan entered the war in December 1941 and captured Burma in 1942, creating fears of an invasion. This increased Britain’s dependence on Indian manpower and strengthened demands for Indian control over defence.

4. Social impact

• Inflation, shortages, migration and uncertainty affected everyday life, and refugees from Southeast Asia put pressure on some communities.
• Students, workers and peasants discussed politics more, and many questioned British rule while Britain described the war as a struggle for freedom.
• Parties disagreed on how to respond: in 1942 Congress launched Quit India while the League followed a different course.

Connection between the war and the Quit India Movement

1. India declared at war without consultation (1939)

Congress held that Indians should decide whether and how India took part, and that Britain should apply its principles of freedom to India.

2. August Offer and Individual Satyagraha (1940)

Congress rejected the August Offer. In October 1940, Gandhi began the Individual Satyagraha, a limited protest against forced participation in the war and curbs on free speech. Vinoba Bhave was the first satyagrahi, followed by other leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru. It let Congress protest without a mass uprising but did not break the deadlock.

3. Japanese advance and the Cripps Mission (1942)

With Japan advancing, Britain sent Sir Stafford Cripps in March 1942. His proposals offered dominion status after the war, a new constitution, and the right of provinces to stay out of the Union. Congress rejected them as they gave no immediate transfer of power or national government. The League rejected them too, as they did not clearly concede Pakistan. The failure convinced Congress that negotiation had failed and contributed to the decision to launch a mass movement.

4. Launch of Quit India (August 1942)

On 8 August 1942 the All-India Congress Committee met in Bombay and adopted the Quit India Resolution demanding an end to British rule. Gandhi gave the call “Do or Die”, presenting it as non-violent mass resistance. On 9 August Gandhi and most senior Congress leaders were arrested.

5. Course and suppression

After the arrests, demonstrations, strikes and protests spread, involving students, workers, peasants and local activists. Some protesters damaged railway lines, cut telegraph links and attacked government buildings, and a few areas set up temporary parallel administrations. Despite Congress’s call for non-violence, some protests became violent. The British responded with mass arrests, censorship, police action and military force. By the end of 1942 the open uprising was largely suppressed, and most senior leaders stayed in prison for much of the war.

The Muslim League’s position

The League did not join Quit India. Under Jinnah it focused on Muslim political rights and the demand for Pakistan, arguing that Congress could not speak for all communities. While Congress pursued mass resistance for an immediate end to British rule, the League continued negotiations and its campaign for a separate homeland. This reflected the wider division over how power should be transferred.

Effects and significance of Quit India

Conclusion

Timeline