Final answer:
The British responded to the 'Quit India' speech with repression and arrests (option a) of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, reinforcing Indian support for the independence movement. The Amritsar Massacre of 1919 is another example of British repression that fueled the demand for India's independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British reaction to the uprisings and protests brought about by the "Quit India" speech was repression and arrests. When the Congress Party endorsed Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent "Quit India" movement, the British authorities responded quickly by detaining Gandhi and many other leaders of the Congress Party. This action further escalated the political tensions between the British administration and the Indian people, who were increasingly clamoring for independence.
The British used these repressive measures as a way to curb the growing unrest, thereby preventing the Quit India movement from gaining momentum. However, such actions only added to the resentment against British rule and contributed to strengthening the resolve of Indian nationalists.
Furthermore, the Amritsar Massacre of 1919 was another notable event where British Indian Army troops fired on Indian protestors, killing hundreds and wounding over a thousand. This tragic incident added to the Indian people's grievances against British colonial rule, reinforcing the demand for India's independence. The massacre became a significant rallying point for the Indian independence movement.