By April 1940, the Second World War entered in new phase. With the fall of France, England stood alone to carry on the fight and the War was reaching on the borders of India very rapidly. The sudden disclosure of British weakness produced shock and surprise in India.
The British government was faced with a number of problems and wanted to win the cooperation of the Indian people and political parties to cope with the war requirements.
It was with this end in view that Viceroy Lord Linlithgow, on August 8, 1940, made an offer on behalf of the British Government, commonly known as August offer, presenting a temporary solution of the problems facing India during the war. The position of the minorities would be safeguard in any future constitutional change.