The Second World War, the August Offer and the Cripps Mission (1939 to 1942)

During the Second World War the British made the August Offer (1940) and the Cripps proposals (1942), but the Congress rejected both as inadequate.

War and the Congress

• On 3 September 1939 Viceroy Linlithgow declared war for India without consulting leaders. The Congress asked for a clear statement of war aims and a promise of independence, and the ministries resigned (October to November 1939).
• Ramgarh Congress (1940) under Maulana Azad (president until 1946). Gandhi wanted non-violence, while Subhas Bose wanted to use the war to fight the British.

The August Offer (8 August 1940)

• Dominion status as the goal after the war; a constitution-making body of Indians after the war; expansion of the Viceroy's Executive Council and an Advisory War Council; no change of the constitution against the will of minorities.
• The Congress rejected it. The League welcomed the "veto" it gave minorities.

Individual Satyagraha (October 1940)

Gandhi began a limited, symbolic satyagraha on 17 October 1940 against the war effort. Vinoba Bhave was the first satyagrahi and Jawaharlal Nehru the second.

The Cripps Mission (March 1942)

• After Japan's advance (Singapore fell in February, Rangoon in March 1942), and under pressure from America and China, the British sent Sir Stafford Cripps (Leader of the House of Commons).
• Proposals: Dominion status after the war; a Constituent Assembly elected by provincial assemblies (with representatives of princely states nominated); provinces could opt out and have a separate constitution; Britain would keep defence during the war.
• Rejected by the Congress (Dominion status, not full independence; the right of provinces to opt out meant the seeds of partition; no real power during the war). The League rejected it too, as it did not clearly accept Pakistan. Gandhi is reported to have called it a "post-dated cheque on a crashing bank".