With reference to the First World War, briefly describe the following :

(a) The attitude of the nationalists towards it.

(b) Its effects on the two groups of the Congress.

(c) Methods adopted by the Government to appease the Indian people.

(a) The nationalists resented India being apart of the World War I as the War worsened the economic and political situation on India.

1. India was thrown into the fire of war in order to safeguard the British interests. The nationalist leaders resented this step of the British Government and held demonstrations against it.
2. The Radicals opposed to the British decision of using the Indian soldiers as fodder for war cannons without even caring to assess the public opinion.
3. The Early Nationalists followed a conciliatory policy hoping that the British Government would grant India Swaraj as soon as the war would end in its favour.

(b) In 1916, Lucknow Pact was signed. Both the groups of the Congress were reunited in the Lucknow Session of the Congress, realising the need for unity in the struggle for Indian rights and Swaraj.

(c) The Government tried to appease the Indians by the following methods:

1. They promised gradual development of self-governing institutions in India.
2. In 1918, the British Government announced constitutional concessions under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms so as to please the nationalist leaders. This formed the basis of the Government of India Act, 1919. Under this Act, system of dyarchy was introduced in the provinces. Also, the British tried to give some more administrative power in the Indian hands.