In 1939 the Second World War broke
out. England and France declared war on Nazi Germany. Without consulting Indian
leaders, Britain declared to be at was on the allies’ side.
Gandhi’s sympathies were with the
British but he believed that all violence was evil and he would, therefore,
have nothing to do with the war effort, although he gave England his moral
support.
The Indian National Congress wanted
to help Britain and fight on the allies’ side, but only as a free nation. But
to grant India independence seemed ridiculous to Churchill and his government.
They had no intention of letting India go by default. Britain refused to accept
the cooperation offered by the Congress.
As a protest, all the Congress
ministries in the provinces resigned. The government took over the
administration and they acted in such a way as to help their was effort. Acting
on the goodwill and restraint taught by Gandhi, the Indian leaders showed no
reaction.