Sunday, 5 January 2014

Q.What were the political and economic effects of the First World War (1914-18) on India?

Ans.

(1)The First World War created a spirit of self-esteem among the Indians. During the war, Indians joined the army in larger numbers. They fought side by side with the troops of the self-governing colonies of the British. In many battlefields, they impressed every one with their deeds of bravery. It created a new sensed of pride among the Indians. When they came back to India, they were determined to join the nationalist movement to win freedom.
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(2)During the war, the sea route to India was closed and the import of foreign goods was discontinued. As a result, many new industries sprang up in India to meet the demands of the people. But after the war, the import of foreign goods began again. The Indian manufactured goods could not compete with the foreign-made goods. Many industrial establishments in India were closed. To add to the miseries of Indians, the prices of goods began to rise and unemployment increased. The condition of the peasants worsened because the rates of land revenue were increased by the Government. The people held the British Government responsible for the worsening economic condition of the country.

(3)The withdrawal of partition of Bengal in 1911 and the opposition of the British to the Khalifa of. Turkey had annoyed the Muslims. They had become bitter enemies of the British. The Lucknow Pact (1916) between the Congress and the Muslim League had created a feeling of national unity in the country. The two parties had decided to jointly struggle for independence.

(4)The Communist Revolution of 1917 in Russia also brought political awakening among the peasants and workers in India. It became clear that the despotic British Government could no more exploit Indians. Millions of Indians thought that it was not difficult for them to drive away the British from India. During the War, Britain and her Allies like France and U.S.A. had repeatedly declared that they were fighting for democracy, freedom and justice. They declared that they would give these rights to the people of the colonies. But the British did not fulfil their high sounding promises. Their treachery opened the eyes of the Indians. They intensified their struggle for freedom
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