Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Attempts at political settlement, 1945–46, including the impact of Indian…
Full specification wording
The road to independence, 1942–48: Attempts at political settlement, 1945–46, including the impact of Indian elections; failure of the Cabinet Mission; Direct Action; interim government under Nehru.
After 1945, Britain sought a political settlement in India.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 4
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
After 1945, Britain sought a political settlement in India. The 1945–46 elections shaped this: Congress won the general seats, the Muslim League the Muslim seats, strengthening Jinnah's claim to speak for Muslims. The 1946 Cabinet Mission proposed a loose union with provinces grouped, but Congress and the League disagreed over grouping and parity, so the mission failed. Jinnah then called Direct Action, leading to violence in Calcutta in August 1946. In September 1946, Nehru became vice-president of the interim government, with Congress dominating it. The League joined later but treated it as a rival body. These events eroded trust and made a negotiated settlement harder, pushing India towards partition.
What earns the marks
- Explains how the 1945–46 elections strengthened the Muslim League's claim to represent Muslims and Congress's claim to represent a united India, making a single settlement harder.
- Analyses the Cabinet Mission's proposals: a three-tier federation, grouping of provinces, and a weak centre, and why both parties rejected or qualified acceptance.
- Explains Jinnah's Direct Action Day and the resulting communal violence, especially in Calcutta, as a turning point that undermined Congress–League cooperation.
- Assesses the interim government under Nehru: Congress's dominance, the League's reluctant participation, and the deadlock over portfolios and policy.
- Links these developments to the breakdown of political settlement and the growing likelihood of partition by 1947.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the 1945–46 elections as a simple Congress victory.
Put it right: Recognise that the Muslim League won most reserved Muslim seats, which strengthened its political position.
Assuming the Cabinet Mission proposed immediate partition.
Put it right: It proposed a united India with grouped provinces and a weak centre, which both parties disputed.
Confusing Direct Action with a general strike.
Put it right: It was a Muslim League campaign of protest and agitation that led to serious communal violence, not a nationwide strike.
Exam tips
- Use precise dates and names: 1945–46 elections, Cabinet Mission 1946, Direct Action Day August 1946, interim government September 1946.
- Explain causation: show how each event made compromise less likely, rather than just describing it.
- Compare Congress and League aims to show why settlement failed, using evidence from the elections and the mission's proposals.
Try the lesson
The start of the The road to independence, 1942–48: Attempts at political settlement, 1945–46, including the impact of Indian elections; failure of the Cabinet Mission; Direct Action; interim government under Nehru. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In the winter of 1945–46, elections were held in India for the central and provincial legislatures. Which party won the largest number of seats in the central assembly?
Listen
After 1945, Britain sought a political settlement in India. The 1945–46 elections shaped this: Congress won the general seats, the Muslim League the Muslim seats, strengthening Jinnah's claim to speak for Muslims. The 1946 Cabinet Mission proposed a loose union with provinces grouped, but Congress and the League disagreed over grouping and parity, so the mission failed. Jinnah then called Direct Action, leading to violence in Calcutta in August 1946. In September 1946, Nehru became vice-president of the interim government, with Congress dominating it. The League joined later but treated it as a rival body. These events eroded trust and made a negotiated settlement harder, pushing India towards partition. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how the 1945–46 elections strengthened the Muslim League's claim to represent Muslims and Congress's claim to represent a united India, making a single settlement harder. Analyses the Cabinet Mission's proposals: a three-tier federation, grouping of provinces, and a weak centre, and why both parties rejected or qualified acceptance. Explains Jinnah's Direct Action Day and the resulting communal violence, especially in Calcutta, as a turning point that undermined Congress–League cooperation. Assesses the interim government under Nehru: Congress's dominance, the League's reluctant participation, and the deadlock over portfolios and policy. A common slip: Treating the 1945–46 elections as a simple Congress victory. Instead, recognise that the Muslim League won most reserved Muslim seats, which strengthened its political position. Exam tip: Use precise dates and names: 1945–46 elections, Cabinet Mission 1946, Direct Action Day August 1946, interim government September 1946.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Cabinet Mission
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Direct Action
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
interim government
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Cabinet Mission
- A 1946 mission that proposed a loose union with provinces grouped, but Congress and the League disagreed over grouping and parity, so it failed.
- Direct Action
- A Muslim League campaign of protest and agitation called by Jinnah, leading to violence in Calcutta in August 1946.
- interim government
- A body in which Nehru became vice-president in September 1946, with Congress dominating it and the League joining later but treating it as a rival.
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