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Indie Britanniche 1939 (1 settembre) - 1945 (7 maggio)   Cerca

Definizione

As part of the British Empire, India is unwillingly drawn into World War II by England's declaration of war on Germany. Instead of offering unconditional support to the British war effort, India's leaders-insulted by British disregard for their opinion-request that Britain offer a postwar plan. Britain refuses and all provincial ministries to the Congress resign. Although Congress refuses to cooperate with Britain for the duration of the war, the Muslim League quietly supports the British war effort. This reflects the Hindu-Muslim conflict in India. Despite opposition, British leaders remain in India and, in 1942, the United States begins using Calcutta as a base for actions against Japanese forces. In March 1940 members of the Muslim League draft the Lahore, or Pakistan, Resolution. In this, they assert that any future constitutional plan Britain proposes for India will be unacceptable unless it groups together the Muslim-majority areas as independent states. In October 1940, Gandhi launches his first "individual satyagraha" campaign against the war, encouraging his followers to resist the war effort despite the consequences. As a result, the British jail more than 20,000 of Gandhi's followers by 1941. In Singapore, 40,000 Indian troops captured by the Japanese become part of Netaji Bose's Indian National Army in 1943. These troops hope to end British rule in Imph--al and Rangoon, but fail. Fearful of a Japanese invasion of India, Britain presents a plan of postwar ideals in March 1942. This proposal, delivered by Sir Stafford Cripps, offers full dominion status for India, if desired, at the war's end. However, this plan proves inadequate to both Nehru and Gandhi and sets off Gandhi's "Quit India" movement. This protest calls for British departure from India to prevent provocation of the Japanese. Before the movement can commence, British troops arrest Gandhi, members of the Congress high command, and others, filling British prisons with over 60,000 Indians. In attempts to stamp out Indian resistance and opposition, the British bomb parts of India, killing and wounding many but failing to end wartime resistance. In 1943, British Field Marshal Lord Wavell succeeds in bringing India's government under martial control. (en-US)

Fonte

Encyclopaedia Britannica: a dictionary of arts, sciences, and general literature. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1995. Vol. 21, p. 107-108

Termini più generici

• (PIQ) India