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indian_history:non_cooperation_movement

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:
    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)

Memory Tips

REMEMBER: Gandhi Led Non-Cooperation Against British

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

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

indian_history/non_cooperation_movement.txt · Last modified: by 127.0.0.1