The Origins and History of the Commonwealth
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Both parties wanted India to be able to govern itself, just as the Dominions were doing. However the British were very reluctant to give up control of India. Mahatma Gandhi became leader of the Indian National Congress in the 1920s and began a non-violent campaign for independence.
The Congress objected to being brought into the Second World War without any consultation and began a 'Quit India' movement. The demand for independence was becoming so powerful that the British had to make concessions.
However, rivalry between the two parties, and the two religions, made independence difficult. The Muslims mostly lived in the north-west and north-east of India, so the League began asking for its own separate Muslim state in those areas. Britain decided India would have to be divided to form the new states of Pakistan and India. Both countries became independent in 1947. Immediately afterwards there was chaos, as followers of the different religions tried to reach their new homes. There was terrible violence, and about a million people died. The British did little or nothing to prevent or stop the killing.
The world wars
Britain went to war against Germany in 1914 and again in 1939. In 1914, there was no question but that the entire Empire was also at war. Nearly 7 million British soldiers took part in the First World War; a further million came from the Dominions; and a million men in India volunteered to take part. Troops also fought for Britain from East and West Africa, from the Caribbean, Egypt and Mauritius.
In 1939, the Dominions were not compelled to follow Britain into war. Australia and New Zealand regarded themselves as bound by the British declaration of war. The issue was debated in Canada and South Africa but they soon took the decision to go to war as well. Three million troops from all over the 'British Commonwealth of Nations' fought in the war. Two million of these came from India.
When Japan entered the war, the countries in the Pacific region were at risk of attack. The Australians fought the Japanese in Papua New Guinea to stave off an attack on Australia - the north coast of Australia experienced over 100 air raids. Malaya, Singapore, Burma and Hong Kong - all British territories - were captured by the Japanese and thousands were killed, imprisoned or enslaved.
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