Question

When and why was the Cripps Mission sent to India?

Answer 1

Hint: The mission was headed by Stafford Cripps, a member of the War Cabinet. Soaring pressure from China and the U.S, as well as from the Britain’s Labour Party, caused Prime Minister Winston Churchill to send Stafford Cripps to India.

Complete answer:
On March 1942, Cripps Mission headed by Stafford Cripps was sent to India with constitutional recommendations, so as to obtain the support of Indians for the World War II.

By early 1942, in South East Asia, advances had been made by the Japan and they were finally on the border of India. The British government was eager to seek the full support of India in the effort against the Japanese. At this point, China and the United States also entered the war, and they also wanted India’s full engagement in the war.

Soaring pressure from China and the U.S, as well as from the Britain’s Labour Party, caused Prime Minister Winston Churchill to send Stafford Cripps to India, in order to talk about the Draft Declaration, which was settled between 28 February to 9 March 1942 by the War Cabinet and its Committee. It had proposals to resolve the question of Indians regarding a new constitution and self-government.

Note: On 7 April 1942, The Declaration was rejected by the Congress Working Committee. On 9 April, Cripps made one last attempt to convince the Indian leaders to accept it, but once again Congress turned down. The failure of the mission resulted in the nationwide launch of the ‘Quit India Movement’, as Indians wanted the withdrawal of the British from India.