====== Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) ======

The **Non-Cooperation Movement** was a significant phase of the Indian independence movement led by **Mahatma Gandhi**. It was the first mass civil disobedience movement in India.

===== Background =====

==== Immediate Causes ====

  * **Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)** - Brutal killing of peaceful protesters
  * **Rowlatt Act (1919)** - Repressive legislation curtailing civil liberties
  * **Khilafat Issue** - Concern over treatment of Ottoman Caliph post-WWI
  * **Economic hardships** after World War I

==== Hunter Commission ====

  * Set up to investigate Jallianwala Bagh
  * **Indians boycotted** the commission
  * Led to Congress's decision for non-cooperation

===== Launch and Programme =====

==== Formal Launch ====

  * **Started**: August 1920
  * **Resolution passed**: Special session of Congress in Calcutta
  * **Ratified**: December 1920 in Nagpur session

==== Four-Stage Programme ====

**Stage 1: Surrender of Titles and Honors**
  * Return of government-conferred titles
  * Resignation from government posts

**Stage 2: Boycott of Government Institutions**
  * Law courts, schools, colleges
  * Legislative councils

**Stage 3: Economic Boycott**
  * Foreign cloth and goods
  * Promotion of **Swadeshi** products

**Stage 4: Mass Civil Disobedience**
  * Non-payment of taxes
  * Complete non-cooperation

===== Key Features =====

^ Aspect ^ Details ^
| **Leadership** | Mahatma Gandhi |
| **Methods** | Non-violent non-cooperation |
| **Participation** | Mass movement across classes |
| **Duration** | August 1920 - February 1922 |
| **Slogan** | "Swaraj in one year" |

===== Major Events =====

==== Constructive Programme ====

  * **Charkha (Spinning Wheel)** promotion
  * **Khadi** cloth production
  * **Boycott of foreign goods**
  * **National education** - Establishment of national schools

==== Mass Participation ====

  * **Students** left government schools and colleges
  * **Lawyers** like C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru gave up practice
  * **Peasants** in UP, Bengal participated actively
  * **Working class** joined strikes

===== Regional Impact =====

==== Different Regions ====

  * **Punjab**: Strong response due to Jallianwala Bagh
  * **Bengal**: Middle class participation, Khadi adoption
  * **Maharashtra**: Peasant movements
  * **Gujarat**: Gandhi's stronghold, maximum impact
  * **Tamil Nadu**: Justice Party opposed movement

===== Chauri Chaura Incident (1922) =====

==== The Event ====

  * **Date**: February 5, 1922
  * **Location**: Chauri Chaura, Gorakhpur (UP)
  * **What happened**: Protesters burned police station, 22 policemen killed
  * **Gandhi's response**: Immediately suspended movement

==== Impact ====

  * Gandhi felt movement was becoming **violent**
  * **Fasting** by Gandhi to atone for violence
  * **Suspension** disappointed many Congress leaders
  * **Criticism** from leaders like C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru

===== Outcomes and Assessment =====

==== Positive Outcomes ====

  * **Mass awakening** and political consciousness
  * **Unity** between Hindus and Muslims (Khilafat)
  * **Swadeshi movement** boost to indigenous industries
  * **Women's participation** in large numbers
  * **Rural masses** entered freedom struggle

==== Limitations ====

  * **Sudden withdrawal** after Chauri Chaura
  * **No concrete constitutional gains**
  * **Hindu-Muslim unity** was temporary
  * **Limited impact** on British administration

==== Government Response ====

  * **Arrests** of leaders including Gandhi (March 1922)
  * **Trial of Gandhi** - Sentenced to 6 years imprisonment
  * **Suppression** through force and legislation

===== Formation of Swaraj Party (1923) =====

**Leaders**: C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru

**Objective**: 
  * Enter legislatures to create deadlock
  * Continue struggle from within the system
  * Alternative to Gandhi's non-cooperation

===== Significance =====

  * **First mass movement** involving all classes
  * **Demonstration of Gandhi's leadership** and mass appeal
  * **Foundation** for future civil disobedience movements
  * **Established pattern** of non-violent resistance
  * **Training ground** for future leaders

===== UPSC Relevance =====

  * **Paper**: General Studies Paper I (Modern History)
  * **Key Topics**: Causes, features, impact, Chauri Chaura
  * **Previous Year Questions**:
    - Analyze Gandhi's role in Non-Cooperation Movement (2021)
    - Impact of Non-Cooperation Movement on different social groups (2019)
    - Reasons for suspension after Chauri Chaura (2018)

===== Memory Tips =====

**REMEMBER**: **G**andhi **L**ed **N**on-**C**ooperation **A**gainst **B**ritish
  * **G**andhi - Leader
  * **L**ed - Leadership
  * **N**on - Non-cooperation
  * **C**ooperation - With British
  * **A**gainst - Opposition
  * **B**ritish - Colonial rule

===== Key Dates =====

  * **1919**: Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
  * **August 1920**: Movement launched
  * **December 1920**: Nagpur session ratification
  * **February 1922**: Chauri Chaura incident
  * **March 1922**: Gandhi's arrest

===== Related Topics =====

  * [[indian_history:gandhi|Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy]]
  * [[indian_history:1857_revolt|Compare with 1857 methods]]

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//Sources: NCERT Class 12 History, Bipin Chandra's India's Struggle for Independence//