Reasons for Nationalist Resurgence

The nationalist resurgence in India after the war can be attributed to several factors:

1. Post-War Economic Hardships:
• India's significant contributions to the British war efforts led to economic hardships across various sections of society.
• The burden of financing the war through taxation fell heavily on Indians, leading to widespread poverty and deprivation.
• Industries faced challenges such as price increases, recession, and foreign competition, leading to demands for protection and government assistance.
2. Unemployment and Poverty:
• Workers, artisans, and peasants faced unemployment, high prices, and poverty, creating discontent and a desire for change.
• The rural population, in particular, faced high taxation and poverty, leading to a readiness to protest against the colonial government.
3. Impact of Returning Soldiers:
• Indian soldiers who returned from the battlefields of the war brought back experiences and ideas that influenced the rural population.
• Their exposure to different ideas and experiences abroad contrasted with the impoverished and restricted conditions in India, leading to disillusionment and a desire for change.
4. Awareness of Racism and Discrimination:
• The educated urban classes became increasingly aware of the racism and discrimination prevalent under British rule.
• This awareness fueled a sense of injustice and contributed to the growing discontent among educated Indians, who played a significant role in the nationalist movement.

Overall, the combination of economic hardships, unemployment, exposure to new ideas, and growing awareness of discrimination fueled the nationalist resurgence in India after the war. These factors created fertile ground for the emergence of leaders and movements advocating for independence and self-rule.

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The expectations of political gains for cooperation in the war effort and the subsequent disillusionment with imperialism worldwide were significant factors contributing to the charged atmosphere in India after the war:

1. Expectations of Political Gains:
• Indians made substantial contributions to the British war effort, both in terms of manpower and resources. Many nationalists, including Gandhi, extended their cooperation.
• There was an expectation among Indians that their sacrifices and contributions would be recognized and rewarded with political concessions from the British government.
• However, when these expectations were not met, it led to widespread disillusionment and frustration among Indians, fueling nationalist sentiments and movements.
2. Disillusionment with Imperialism:
• During the war, the Allied powers, including Britain, had promised colonies like India an era of democracy and self-determination after the war.
• However, the post-war peace treaties, such as the Paris Peace Conference, revealed that the imperialist powers had no intention of granting independence or loosening their grip on their colonies.
• The blatant disregard for the promises made during the war, coupled with the continued colonial exploitation, exposed the hypocrisy of imperialism and fueled resentment and resistance among colonized peoples.
• This disillusionment was not limited to India but was widespread across Asia and Africa, leading to a resurgence of militant nationalist activity in various colonies and territories.

In summary, the failure of the British government to fulfill the expectations of political gains after the war, combined with the broader disillusionment with imperialism worldwide, contributed to the resurgence of nationalist movements and activities in India and other colonized regions.