Question

Britain created the partition of India in 1947 as a way to ease a growing religious divide in India and keep good relations with both sides. However, the partition had many short-term and long-term consequences.

Read this copy of a letter from Winston Churchill to British prime minister Clement Atlee. It discusses the Parliament’s opinion of the prime minister’s plans to divide India.

Imagine that you could go back in time to advise Parliament on the situation that is about to unfold in India and Pakistan. What would you tell them? Would you recommend they send their letter to the prime minster? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Answer:

I would warn Parliament that the partition would result in long-term hostility and territorial disputes between Pakistan and India. I would tell them about the displacement of millions of people in the frantic mass migration of Muslims into Pakistan and Hindus into India. I would ask the Parliament to take these issues into consideration and proceed with great care.