(a) 1. Failure of the Cripps Mission: The failure of the Cripps Mission left no meeting ground between the Congress and the government. It was clear from the proposals that the government was not willing to grant independence in the near future. The Indians were also not happy at the proposals of Cripps Mission because proposals contained within them provisions which could divide India into hundreds of independent provinces.
2. War Situation: There was every possibility that India might be attacked by Japan and the Indians were helpless because they had no power or means to resist the attack. So, the Indian leaders felt that the situation called for complete independence. Gandhiji also felt that an orderly and peaceful withdrawal of the British could save India from internal anarchy and external aggression.
3. Internal Anarchy: The communal situation was worsening day by day. The Muslim League was demanding a separate state i.e., Pakistan. This had spoiled the communal situation.
(b) The government used police and army to suppress the movement. Hundreds of persons were killed and over 70,000 arrested in less than five months. Even armed aircrafts were used in Bhagalpur and Monghyr in Bihar. Mobs were dispersed by lathi charge, rifle, pistol and occasionally by machine guns. Even women and children were not spared. The main objective of the government was to terrorize the people.
(c)
1. It demonstrated the depth of the national feelings : The movement showed the depth of the national will and convinced the Britishers that the days of their domination in India were numbered. People from all parts of India fought together against the Britishers.
2. Set back to the Britishers: Now the British officials had realized that the British would not be able to retain their hold on India.
3. Parallel Government: A significant feature of the Quit India Movement was the emergence of parallel governments in Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, Midnapur in Bengal and Satara in Maharashtra.
4. Strengthening of the Congress Socialist Party: The Quit India Movement helped in strengthening the Congress Socialist Party because of its magnificent and heroic role in the movement. Its socialist ideas had an impact on the Indian National Congress.
