National Movement during World War II and World War I , India's national movement experienced significant developments and played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. 

• On 1 September 1939 the Second World War broke out. The British Government without consulting the people of India involved the country in the war.

• The Congress vehemently opposed it and as a mark of protest the Congress Ministries in the Provinces resigned on 12 December 1939.

• During the course of the Second World War in order to secure the cooperation of the Indians, the British Government made an announcement on 8 August 1940, which came to be known as the ‘August Offer’.

• • The August Offer envisaged that after the War a representative body of Indians would be set up to frame the new Constitution.
  • Gandhi was not satisfied with his offer and decided to launch Individual Satyagraha.

Overall, both periods marked significant milestones in India's struggle for freedom, laying the foundation for the country's eventual independence.

National Movement During World War II: August Offer and Its Rejection

• It was a proposal made by the British government in August 1940 as a part of the National Movement During World War II.
• It aimed to gain the support of Indian political parties and leaders in the war effort against the Axis powers.
• Promised the expansion of the Executive Council of Viceroy, with the inclusion of more Indians, and the formation of a constituent assembly after the war to frame a new constitution.
• However, the offer fell short of the Indian nationalist demands for immediate and complete independence and was rejected.

National Movement During World War II: The Strategy of Individual Satyagraha

• Individual Satyagraha was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1940 as a non-violent protest against British policies, specifically to voice dissent against India's forced involvement in World War II. It was a significant part of the National Movement During World War II.

• Unlike mass movements, this campaign focused on individual acts of civil disobedience. Gandhi chose notable individuals like Vinoba Bhave and Jawaharlal Nehru to lead the protest.

• Participants spoke out against the war and criticised British decisions without calling for mass protests or strikes.

• The British government responded by arresting the participants, including Gandhi.

• Significance: This movement kept the momentum of the freedom struggle alive and emphasised the moral high ground of non-violence.

Political and Social Struggles in the National Movement During World War II

• The period saw an increased polarisation among religious communities, primarily Hindus and Muslims. 
• In 1940, the Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution, demanding a separate nation for Muslims, later known as Pakistan.
• These elections heightened communal tensions as the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress emerged as representatives of the Muslim and Hindu communities, respectively
• In 1946, the Muslim League called for Direct Action Day, which resulted in widespread communal violence.
• The British colonial administration is often accused of employing a divide-and-rule policy that fueled communal tensions.

Role of Peasant Uprisings in National Movement During World War II

• Peasants faced economic hardships due to oppressive agricultural policies, taxation, and the 2nd World War.  
• Tebhaga Movement: In 1946, this movement took place in Bengal, where sharecroppers demanded a reduction in the share of crops given to landlords. 
• Telangana Rebellion: This was a peasant revolt in the Telangana region (now in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) against the feudal lords and the Nizam between 1946 and 1951.
• Peasant movements found support from the Indian National Congress and Communist parties.
• These movements played a significant role in mobilizing the masses and weakening the British hold over rural India.

Integration Demands in Princely States in the National Movement During World War II

• India had numerous princely states that were indirectly ruled by the British. The populace in these states also aspired to democratic governance and freedom
• People in the princely states campaigned for the integration of their states into the Indian Union.
• All India States People’s Conference (AISPC): This organization played a significant role in mobilising people in the princely states for democratic rights and unification with India. 
• Hyderabad, Junagadh, and Travancore: These were some of the princely states where people struggled against their rulers for integration with India.

Failure of Cripps Mission in National Movement During World War II

• The Cripps Mission was a delegation sent to India in March 1942 by the British government, led by Sir Stafford Cripps.
• The mission aimed to seek Indian support for the British war effort in exchange for a promise of Dominion status and the right to determine India's future constitution.
• The proposals included the formation of an interim government with full Indian participation and the granting of the right to secede from the British Commonwealth.

However, the Cripps Mission failed to reach an agreement with Indian leaders, primarily due to disagreements over the issue of the Muslim League's demand for a separate homeland.

Quit India Movement and the National Movement During World War II

• The Quit India Movement was a significant civil disobedience movement launched by the Indian National Congress in August 1942.
• Led by Mahatma Gandhi, the movement demanded an immediate end to British rule in India.
• The movement aimed to create mass nonviolent resistance and disrupt the British administration through strikes, protests, and non-cooperation.
• Although the movement faced repression and was eventually suppressed, it marked a turning point in the Indian independence struggle and further weakened the British hold on India

Wavell Plan’s Role in the National Movement During World War II

• The Wavell Plan, in 1945, aimed to resolve the political deadlock in India and facilitate the transfer of power.
• The plan called for the formation of an executive council with a majority of Indian members and the inclusion of representatives from the Muslim League.
• However, Congress rejected the plan, as it did not guarantee full independence and failed to address the issue of separate electorates for religious communities.
• The plan also faced opposition from the Muslim League, as it did not fulfil their demand for a separate homeland.

The failure of the Wavell Plan highlighted the deep divisions between Congress and the Muslim League and the challenges of achieving a united political solution.