To What Extent Did The Government Of India Act Impact On Indian And British Politics?

Question 1

When was the Second Government of India Act?

Answer 1

1935

Question 2

What were the main features of the Government of India Act (1935): (6)

Answer 2

• India was divided into 11 provinces, each of which had a legislative and a provincial government, which would control everything, except defence and foreign affairs
• Each province would have a governor
• Dyarchy was abolished
• Separate electorates to continue
• Burma was separated from India and given its own government
• Two new states, Sindh and Orissa, were created

Question 3

According to the Government of India Act, what was the role of the viceroy? (2)

Answer 3

• Controlled defence and foreign affairs
• Have to follow the advice of an Executive Committee, which was made up of mostly Indians

Question 4

Why did Congress reject the second Government of India Act?

Answer 4

Because they were committed to Purna Swaraj

Question 5

Why did the Muslim League object to the second Government of India Act? (2)

Answer 5

• It did not offer enough power to Muslims in either central or provincial legislatures.
• No guarantees were offered for the protection of the rights of Muslims

Question 6

What would happen to the Princes if the Government of India Act were to be passed?

Answer 6

The Government of India Act proposed an all-India federation that would inevitably result in a diminution of the power of the princes and they were prepared to bargain hard to protect their fiscal rights.

Question 7

By 1939, What fraction of the states had agreed to the form of federation required by the Act?

Answer 7

2/3

Question 8

Who was the most successful coming out of the 1937 elections?

Answer 8

Congress

Question 9

What provinces did Congress gain overall control of? (4)

Answer 9

• United and Central Provinces
• Orissa
• Bombay
• Madras

Question 10

Where was Congress outvoted? (3)

Answer 10

• Bengal
• Punjab
• Sind

Question 11

How many legislative members did Congress win?

Answer 11

716

Question 12

How many provinces did the INC control?

Answer 12

7/11

Question 13

Why did the Muslim League fail in the elections?

Answer 13

They had no strong leadership until 1935, when Jinnah returned from self-exile in England

Question 14

What did Jinnah attempt to do when he came back?

Answer 14

Build up a support base in the limited time frame

Question 15

How did the Congress dominated provinces react to Muslims?

Answer 15

They ignored minorities and took advantage of their new offices to appoint fellow caste members

Question 16

What was done in some provinces to Muslim landowners?

Answer 16

Fiscal policies were drawn up to hurt Muslim landowners

Question 17

What was banned in Bihar?

Answer 17

Cow slaughter

Question 18

What did many Muslims feel like they were living in?

Answer 18

A Hindu Raj

Question 19

What did Jinnah do to revitalise the Muslim League?

Answer 19

Began a series of carefully orchestrated personal appearances, mass rallies and press interviews and became the embodiment of Muslim identity

Question 20

What were the divisions in Congress? (2)

Answer 20

• Some ranged behind Gandhi, who favoured using parliamentary tactics in order to achieve swaraj, even if it meant temporarily cooperating with the Raj and the princes
• Some ranged behind Nehru, who hated working within a constitution they disliked and having to accept that ultimate power still lay with the British

Question 21

What did Gandhi negotiate with the British about the new constitution and did this work?

Answer 21

To gain an assurance that provincial governors would not interfere with normal administration. This worked to a considerable ectent

Question 22

When was Bose elected as president?

Answer 22

1938

Question 23

Why was Congress fighting over the presidency?

Answer 23

Gandhi did not trust Bose and neither did the old guard but Bose refused to step aside

Question 24

How many members of the Gandhi faction resigned immediately due to Bose’s election?

Answer 24

12