CBSE Class 8 Social Science History Notes Chapter 9: CBSE Class 8 Social Science History Notes for Chapter 9: The Making of the National Movement: 1870s-1947 provide an in-depth look into the significant events that shaped India's struggle for independence.
The National Movement of India was pivotal in achieving freedom from British rule with its roots extending back to the 1870s and culminating in independence in 1947. By studying these notes students gain a clear understanding of the events and ideologies that led to India's independence.CBSE Class 8 Social Science History Notes Chapter 9 PDF
Towards Independence and Partition
In 1940, the Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, began advocating for “Independent States” for Muslims, increasingly viewing Muslims as a separate nation from Hindus. This sentiment grew stronger after the 1937 provincial elections, where the League felt sidelined and feared being a perpetual minority in any democratic setup. The Congress's refusal to form a joint government with the League in the United Provinces further strained relations. Following World War II, the British initiated negotiations with the Congress and the Muslim League to discuss India's future. In 1946, provincial elections reaffirmed the League's demand for Pakistan. The British Cabinet Mission, sent to Delhi in March 1946, proposed a united India with a loose confederation, granting autonomy to Muslim-majority regions. However, the mission's failure led the League to launch “Direct Action Day” on August 16, 1946, which triggered widespread communal violence. By March 1947, violence had escalated across northern India, leading to the partition of India. This division resulted in the creation of Pakistan and significantly altered India's political and social landscape, marking the end of British colonial rule and the beginning of two independent nations.