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.

• 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

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

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

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

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

• 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

• 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

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

• 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

• 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

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

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

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

• 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

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

REMEMBER: Gandhi Led Non-Cooperation Against British

• Gandhi - Leader
• Led - Leadership
• Non - Non-cooperation
• Cooperation - With British
• Against - Opposition
• British - Colonial rule

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

• Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy
• Compare with 1857 methods

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