Post-war Phase of Freedom Struggle.

The End of World War II: Setting the Global Context

World War II formally ended in two stages:

• In Europe: Germany surrendered unconditionally on 8 May 1945, a day celebrated as Victory in Europe Day (VE Day).
• In Asia: Japan surrendered on 2 September 1945, marking the final end of the war.

With that, the six-year-long global conflict (1939–45) that had drained economies, toppled empires, and redrawn world power structures finally concluded.

This global change would directly affect India, because Britain — though victorious — emerged exhausted economically, militarily, and morally. The time had come when the empire’s own strength to rule was under question.

A Renewed Phase in India’s Freedom Struggle

(a) The Lull After the 1942 Revolt

After the Quit India Movement of 1942 was brutally crushed, almost all major Congress leaders — Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Azad, etc. — were imprisoned.
For nearly three years (1942–45), India’s political life was silent on the surface. There were no large-scale agitations, and the national movement appeared subdued.

But beneath that silence, a deep political churning was happening — the Indian people were waiting, not surrendering.

(b) The War Ends, and the Winds Change

When the war ended in 1945, the British government realized that new challenges — both political and economic — were about to emerge. The world was moving towards democracy, reconstruction, and self-determination, and Britain could not appear to be ruling India through repression anymore.

So, to manage this transition, the British aimed to form a coalition government in India — one that represented both Hindus and Muslims.

To pave the way for that, they began a series of conciliatory measures:

• On 15 June 1945, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) members were released from the Ahmednagar Fort Prison.
• The ban on Congress was lifted.
• Earlier, Gandhiji had been released in May 1944 on medical grounds — during imprisonment, he had lost both Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai, his closest associate.

(c) Return of the Leaders and the People’s Enthusiasm

When the leaders came out of jail, they toured the country — and what they saw amazed them.
Despite years of war, famine, and repression, people were full of hope and confidence. Crowds surged everywhere to welcome their leaders.

It became clear that the spirit of nationalism was not broken — rather, the people were more determined than ever.
This created a renewed energy and unity — and it was obvious to everyone that British rule was living on borrowed time.

This marked the beginning of the final phase of India’s struggle for freedom.

Changed Attitude of the British Government

As the war was ending (mid-1945), Britain’s policy in India shifted from repression to conciliation.

The Immediate Steps Taken:

• Political prisoners were released.
• The ban on Congress and Socialist parties was lifted.
• Civil liberties — like freedom of speech, press, and association — were restored.
• Elections were announced for the winter of 1945–46, both at the Centre and in the Provinces.

But why this sudden change? Let’s look at the seven key reasons that forced Britain to soften its stand.

Why Britain’s Attitude Changed: Seven Factors

1. Shift in Global Power Balance

World War II completely altered the global hierarchy.
The United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers, overshadowing Britain’s old imperial dominance.

Both these powers — though ideologically opposed — supported India’s right to self-determination.
Britain could no longer ignore this new international pressure without appearing hypocritical.

2. Economic and Military Weakness of Britain

Victory came at a heavy cost.
Britain was economically bankrupt, burdened by debt, and its industries were shattered. Militarily too, its global reach had shrunk.

Simply put — it no longer had the resources or the will to maintain control over a vast colony like India.

3. War-Weary British Soldiers

British soldiers had been fighting continuously from 1939 to 1945.
After six exhausting years of war, they had no desire to fight another battle in India just to suppress people demanding freedom.
Public opinion in Britain also turned against further bloodshed in the colonies.

4. Change in British Government (1945)

In the July 1945 elections, the Labour Party came to power, defeating the Conservatives under Churchill.

The Labour Party traditionally had sympathy for Indian aspirations, and many of its leaders had already expressed support for self-government in India.
This political change in London directly influenced India’s destiny.

5. Rise of Patriotism in the Indian Armed Forces

The Indian National Army (INA), led by Subhas Chandra Bose, had shown that Indian soldiers could fight for their nation’s freedom.
Even though the INA was defeated, its spirit deeply influenced the regular Indian army.

Now, British officials began to realize: “Can we rely on Indian soldiers to suppress other Indians anymore?”
The answer was increasingly No.

6. Internal Unrest and Strikes

Post-war India saw a wave of mutinies and strikes within the very institutions that upheld British rule:

• The Royal Indian Navy revolt (in Bombay, 1946).
• Strikes in the Royal Indian Air Force and Indian Signal Corps.
• Even the police and bureaucracy showed signs of nationalist sympathy.

This meant that the British could no longer depend on their administrative machinery — the empire’s foundation itself was shaking.

7. Growing Determination of the Indian People

Lastly, the Indian masses had completely lost faith in British rule.
The post-war mood was full of confidence, not fear. People now believed that freedom was inevitable — and soon.

So, continuing the colonial status quo was no longer sustainable. Britain could delay independence, but it could not deny it.

In Summary

The Post-War Struggle marks the final lap of India’s independence movement (1945–47).
The convergence of factors — the exhaustion of Britain, the rise of new global powers, the assertiveness of the Indian people, and the cracks in British authority — made freedom not just a demand, but a historical certainty.

In this phase, India’s struggle became both unstoppable and irreversible.
The stage was now set for the coming events — the Cabinet Mission Plan, the Interim Government, and finally, the transfer of power in 1947.