Discuss the reasons for, and the impact of, the Quit India campaign (1942) on the struggle for independence.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for, and the impact of, the Quit India campaign (1942) on the struggle for independence. They may offer equal coverage of reasons and impact, or they may emphasize their discussion of one, but both will be a feature of the response. For reasons, candidates may refer to aspects such as the legacy of previous non-cooperation campaigns; the impact of the Salt March and the emergence of a mass movement; the dissatisfaction of Congress and many Indian nationalists with the 1935 Government of India Act; the pressures of the Second World War and the failure of the Cripps Mission to achieve constitutional reform and gain Congress support. They may identify different perspectives about Quit India’s impact such as the view is that it influenced Wavell’s decisions or that it exacerbated the divide between Congress and the League, which led to partition. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example, the roles of individuals such as Gandhi, Nehru and Jinnah, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for, and the impact of, the Quit India campaign (1942) on the struggle for independence. There were many responses to this question. For the most part, candidates answered this question effectively and responses demonstrated a good understanding of the Quit India campaign. However, most candidates seemed more confident in their discussion of the reasons the campaign was introduced than the impact of it.