Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. During World War II, some countries of the world joined the Allied Nations or the opposing Axis powers. Where did India stand? What, in general, was India’s role in progressing or deescalating the global conflict? Who were key Indian leaders at this time?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may benefit from a brief review of the key forces and players during World War II. The Allied Nations included Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union; the Axis powers included Italy, Germany, and Japan. India and all other countries that were part of the British colonialist empire fell under the Allied Nations alongside Great Britain. If students struggle to come up with facts about India’s role in World War II, some tangential discussion may be helpful along with clarification: To what extent is World War II history Eurocentric? What reasons might be the cause? These and similar resources may offer greater context on the topic.

• TIME Magazine’s “‘You Are Today the One Person in the World Who Can Prevent a War.