2-WWII+India+HF


 * How may the Home Front’s awareness of the war’s objectives and nature be characterized? **
 * How did propaganda affect the mindset at home? **

The topic of Indian nationalism was prominent throughout India since the beginning of the British Raj. Advocations to break away from the British Empire shaped the mindset at home. After the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized that India possessed impressive military and industrial capacities, but he concluded that its ant-icolonial struggle for independence from the British Empire placed those military capacities doubt. American propaganda fostered suspicion among the British and Indians about U.S. motives. During the course of the war, Japan dropped thousands of leaflets over indian counties. Indian’s against the British Raj retaliated with propaganda leaflets and radio programs for those Indians who had joined the Germans and Japanese as part of their fight for liberation. Because of indias domestic issues concerning British control, it was in a vulnerable state to accept agreements from axis powers in order to become independent of British power. Heavy use of propaganda was directed toward the British Raj as it was in a very controversial state.

**What were the direct contributions of the Home Front to the war effort? This needs to go beyond a cursory statement of, “They supplied soldiers, grew food, made armaments, etc.” You should consider support not only in patriotic or industrial terms, but also political, social, economic, cultural/intellectual, moral/religious, emotional, etc., terms.**

As in the First World War, Indian soldiers were called upon by Britain to help in the war effort. Despite the constitutional fall-out from Britain’s declaration of war on behalf of India, without prior consultation of Indian representatives, Britain could nevertheless rely on India’s support. The massive involvement of men and women from India in World War ll has remained a marginalized story. Indian soldiers provided manpower, equipment and auxiliary support in theatres of war throughout the world. Their contribution was vital to keep the supply lines to Britain open and to defend her borders at home and in the empire. India organized about 1.5 million militiamen towards the war which was crucial in fighting Italy and weakening the axis powers. New factories maintained a regular supply of vital war materials to the Allies. Textiles were sent to 15 countries. India would supply 37,000 of the 50,000 different textile articles required by the United Nations in the war. India was the third largest consignor of supplies to Australia for the Pacific war and Russia and China also received much war material from India. The huge Indian population was a great benefactor for the allies during the whole course of the war, and with their great resources they played a key role for aid and backup.

**What were the costs & benefits of the war to the Home Front, to include but not limited to goods/services/resources? Use a case study to illustrate.**

The Bengal famine of 1943 was a huge cost of the war to India. At least 3 million people died from starvation and malnutrition during the famine in the Indian province of Bengal. The Japanese occupation of Burma, an important rice exporter, caused damage to the rice crops. The colonial rulers were financially unstable and could not support their provinces. The poor administration of Britain for India was a major contributor as well. Britain made a large purchase of rice but hoarded it all at this time. India also benefitted from the war being on the home front. The war demanded heavy industrial production, and by the end of the war India was world's fourth largest industrial power and its increased political, economic and military influence paved the way for its independence from the United Kingdom in 1947. This was a careless act done by the British due to the fact India was undergoing internal conflicts.


 * How can life for women & youth on the Home Front be characterized? Use case studies to illustrate. **

Many of the young Indian women joined the Women’s Auxiliary Corps (WAC) to do their ‘share towards helping the war effort and came from secure jobs and comfortable homes. Once in the service they found conditions difficult, many of them nurses in civil and military hospitals or performing vital tasks for the war effort just behind the front lines. Some drove army vehicles, operated switchboards and worked as mechanics. During the evacuation of Burma, as the Japanese soldiers advanced, Indian women often stayed at their posts and continued to send vital messages over the telegraph lines to help ensure the escape of as many civilians as possible. Some died overtaken by the advance guards of the Japanese army. In the Far East, the fall of Hong Kong and Singapore led to many army nurses (including Indian) being captured by the Japanese and enduring the terrible hardships and deprivations of the Far East prisoner-of-war camp Quite a number suffered from psychological and general health problems. The Manufacturing units moved to Andheri East and to Chakala. And they also introduced other brands such as the President. With almost 1200 people as staff, there were people from almost all communities working together; A lot of women were hired for the first time. While the machines were worked by men, all the assembling of the pen was done entirely by women. Their daily salary at the time was around Rs. 3 to 4 per day. Prior to the war women were expected to serve the societal role of being a housewives and tending to the house. They took jobs and roles that were previously to have only been done by men, but women had the chance to prove themselves major in the war effort.



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[|__http://www.open.ac.uk/researchprojects/makingbritain/content/second-world-war-1939-1945__] "Making Britain." //Second World War (1939-1945) |//. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2013.

[|__http://www.hindujagruti.org/articles/36.html__] "Azad Hind Fauj : Force behind Indian Freedom." //Hindu Janajagruti Samiti //. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2013.