Cabinet Mission April 1946

Cabinet Mission April 1946

1. Stated Aim

   • To listen to Indian's ideas on how they could set up an independent state
     • Set up provisions for independence

2. Actual Aim

   • Confidential Brief
     • Create positive desire for a speedy transfer of power

3. Key Members

   • Actual Leader
     • Stafford Cripps
       • President of Board of Trade
       • trying to make up for failure of 1942 mission - over eager
       • Held secret meetings
         • Made his love of Gandhi public
           • Shows he's biased towards Congress
   • Stated Leader
     • Pethick-Lawrence
       • SoSI - should be basically in charge
       • Aging genial socialist
       • Wanted independence so much that he just agreed to every demand
         • No Bargaining power
           • Pathetic Lawrence - Promises too much
   • 3rd Key Member
     • AV Alexander
       • First Lord of The admiralty
         • Very traditional Labour Politican
           • Would expect right wing tory views as he's a military man

4. Gandhi's view

   • Wanted power to be transferred to Congress
     • As they won the elections so have the right to make decisions about India

5. Jinnah View

   • Knew he would never get Pakistan if Congress put in charge
   • Also knew British needed Muslim cooperation to avoid disorder
   • Jinnah avoided confrontation and just wanted for British to make their decision
   • Wants to keep British in Power, not Congress

6. Two Important Minorities ignored by Cabinet Mission

   • Princely States
     • Princes have treaties to say that British cannot force them to become part of new independent state
     • Don't want British to leave - will lose power
   • Sikhs
     • Geographically, gonna be on borders on Muslim States
       • Also would like own independent state