Name: Nahida Akter Jannat ID: 1712024630

1. There are many reasons for the formation of United Front in December. The leading
causes are given below:

 One of the leading causes was changing the political landscape. During the early
period of Pakistan, economic disparity, poor representation of Bengalis in
government, and politico-cultural repression pursued by the ruling elite of Pakistan
accentuated political problems in East Bengal.
 Another reason which is most important, is the deprivation of Bengalis from due
participation in the decision-making process gave rise to the politics of regionalism in
East Bengal.

The resultant development was that the political forces of East Bengal were gradually
pushed to launch new political platforms and organize movements against the central
government based in the western part of the country.

United Font could not manage to maintain the coalition even after an overwhelming win in
the East Pakistan Legislative Assembly in 1954 because of the following reason:

 Clashes of personalities
 Intra-alliance disagreements and dissension
 Divergent party programs

3. In September 1959, the president of Pakistan, Field Marshal (then General) Ayub Khan,
informed the people in a public address of certain reforms to be introduced in the framework
of government, he said that all such changes, whether in the agriculture, educational or
economic Field, would be designed solely to provide a basis for a sound political system.
This newly envisages a stratified system of Government, authority being vested in councils at
different levels, a graphic representation of which would b resemble a pyramid. This system
is referred to as on of the “Basic Democracy”.

The impacts of Basic Democracy on the subsequent politics in Pakistan was-

 This system ruled out the political activity. This is the key to the in-depth analysis of
the system. The representation of the people was not in the political arena
  This system offered avoidance in the decentralization of powers as far as the political
power is concerned. Only the developmental authority was decentralized to some
extent.
 This system in its core was based on the political system without any politicians. This
system negated the so far achieved progress in the area of democratic culture or
political participation in the country.
 This system provided stability and security to the President but did not strengthen the
political system itself. Institutionalization of the political system did not happen.
 Restrictions and bans on freedom of expression and media etc made sure that the
democracy could not prevail in the country.

4. The Bengalis welcomed the Six Points Programme whole heartedly and it gained
immense kind of support. The Six-Point Demand was to be considered as the charter of our
survival because of the following reason-

 It challenged the political and economic monopoly of West Pakistan.

 The East Pakistan’s export earnings would no longer be exploited and manipulated for
the growth of the industrialization of West Pakistan.
 Foreign aid would no longer be monopolized for West Pakistan only.
 The East Pakistan would no longer remain an inferior and sub-ordinate market for
West Pakistani products.
 The end of Economic priorities determined for the advantage of West Pakistan only.

The Six Point Programme proved to be a ray of hope for almost all the sections of West
Bengali society and soon its survival became a matter of life and death for East Pakistanis.
The emerging industrialists and businessmen found in the Six-Point formula relaxation of
intense competition and short cut route to prosperity. The labor and peasants found in the
formula some chances of incoming change for the better. The formula itself helped inspiring
and consolidating the nationalist forces and soon became the vehicle of Bengali nationalist
movement.

6. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic March 7, 1971 speech was the one that effectively
declared Bangladesh’s independence. The nineteen minutes speech was unique in many
respects.
It was an extempore speech and touched upon every aspects of the struggle for economic and
political emancipation of the people of Bangladesh as part of the earstwhile East Pakistan. It
went on to provide guidance and instruction to carry on the struggle in a peaceful manner. It
also included conditions for talks and finally provided clear instruction to the people for all
out fight, at whatever costs may be, for the achievement of the final victory from the clutches
of the Pakistanis. It even mentioned what the people need to do even in the absence of their
leader. It transcended to every aspect of the lives of the people after the independence of the
country. It brought about a revolutionary change in the psyche of the nation. They
transformed into a brave and invincible nation.

8. The immediate precursor of the Mukti Bahini was Mukti Fauj, which was preceded
denominationally by the Sangram Parishads formed in the cities and villages by the student
and youth leaderships in early March 1971. 

The role of Mukti Bahini in the war of independence of Bangladesh in 1971-

Mukti Bahini fought against Pakistan army in various battlegrounds throughout the country
and also performed guerrilla operations in different army camps and establishments. Most of
them did not have any professional military training nor they had any time for it. They were
trained during the war. Sector commanders directed the guerrilla attacks and also trained the
Mukti Bahini. The training camps were mostly situated near border areas with the direct
assistance of India.

Because of the geo-morphology of Bangladesh, the war could not be won too swiftly. Even
then, Dhaka was liberated in a matter of two weeks, the previous successes of the freedom
fighters during the preceding few months having been a major contributing factor.