The British government, realising that they lacked the military strength to control the situation, announced early in 1947 that they would leave India no later than June 1948. The idea was to try to shock the Indians into adopting a more responsible attitude. Lord Louis Mountbatten was sent as the new viceroy, and he soon decided that partition was the only way to avoid civil war. He realised that there would probably be bloodshed whatever solution was tried, but felt that partition would produce less violence than if Britain tried to insist on the Muslims remaining part of India. Within six weeks Mountbatten had worked out a plan for dividing the country up and for the British withdrawal. This was accepted by Jinnah and Nehru, although M. K. Gandhi, known as the Mahatma (Great Soul), the other highly respected Congress leader, who believed in non-violence, was still hoping for a united India. Afraid that delay would cause more violence, Mountbatten brought the date for British withdrawal forward to August 1947.
(Source: Norman Lowe, “Mastering Modern World History”)
The British government lacked the military strength to control the pressure of independence in India. Which of the following options best explains why this was the case?
[1 mark]
The British government, realising that they lacked the military strength to control the situation, announced early in 1947 that they would leave India no later than June 1948. The idea was to try to shock the Indians into adopting a more responsible attitude. Lord Louis Mountbatten was sent as the new viceroy, and he soon decided that partition was the only way to avoid civil war. He realised that there would probably be bloodshed whatever solution was tried, but felt that partition would produce less violence than if Britain tried to insist on the Muslims remaining part of India. Within six weeks Mountbatten had worked out a plan for dividing the country up and for the British withdrawal. This was accepted by Jinnah and Nehru, although M. K. Gandhi, known as the Mahatma (Great Soul), the other highly respected Congress leader, who believed in non-violence, was still hoping for a united India. Afraid that delay would cause more violence, Mountbatten brought the date for British withdrawal forward to August 1947.
(Source: Norman Lowe, “Mastering Modern World History”)
The British government lacked the military strength to control the pressure of independence in India. Which of the following options best explains why this was the case?
[1 mark]
The correct option is B The Second World War had weakened them.
The Second World War was one of the deadliest wars that Britain had to face, so it had become completely drained of resources, despite forcing the colonies to join in. It was enhanced by the fact that Indians had taken this opportunity to fight more vigorously for their independence.
The Second World War was one of the deadliest wars that Britain had to face, so it had become completely drained of resources, despite forcing the colonies to join in. It was enhanced by the fact that Indians had taken this opportunity to fight more vigorously for their independence.
