Government of India Act of 1935
The British first tried to suppress the movement by putting people behind bars; but when the situation remained very grave, they tried to pacify people. In 1935, Gandhiji and other leaders were released from jail and the Government of India Act, 1935 was passed. Under this law, people were given the right to vote for provincial assemblies. The elections were held in 1937, in which the Congress participated. It won in 9 out of a total of 11 provinces, and formed the government there.
Second World War (1939-45)
Like in the First World War, the British declared India a party to the Second World War. This terrible war erupted in 1939 and was fought between Allied forces (Britain, France, Russia and America) and Axis forces (Germany, Japan and Italy). The British recruited and sent a large number of Indian soldiers on different war fronts. The Indian leaders refused to help in the war until India was given freedom.
This war created a terrible situation in India. Not only Indian young men were being sent to fight, our resources were being used up for the war.
While on the one hand, a large number of Indian soldiers were being killed, there occurred an acute shortage of food and other necessities. This war made India and Indians suffer very badly. When the Indians raised their voice, the British suppressed them mercilessly. Now, the time had come to take a tough stand against the British.