GS1 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Non-Cooperation Movement | UPSC Mains Answer Writing: Practice PDF Download

Q. Discuss the achievements and failures of the Non-cooperation movement of 1920. How did it impact the subsequent freedom movements in pre-independence India? (250 words)

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Introduction

• At the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress. The program of Non-cooperation was endorsed.
• An important change made was, until now Congress sought to attain self-government through constitutional means as its goal.
• In the Nagpur session, Congress decided to the attainment of Swaraj through peaceful and legitimate means, thus committing itself to an extra constitutional mass struggle.
• Gandhi declared that if the non-cooperation program was implemented completely, swaraj would be ushered in within a year.

Achievements

• The non-cooperation movement led by Gandhi was a mass movement that had never been seen before and after the Great Rebellion of 1857.
• With the Non-Cooperation Movement, nationalist sentiments reached every nook and corner of the country and politicized every stratum of the population—the artisans, peasants, students, urban poor, women, traders, etc.
• This politicization of men and women imparted a revolutionary character to the national movement.
• The myth that British rule was invincible was challenged by satyagraha through mass struggle.
• It gave a push to indigenous products thereby helping Indian producers and damaging Britain’s economic and commercial interests.

Failures

• People from the middle classes led the movement at the beginning but later they showed a lot of reservations about Gandhi’s program.
• In places like Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, which were centers of elite politicians, the response to Gandhi’s call was very limited.
• The response to the call for resignation from the government service, surrendering of titles, etc., was not taken seriously.
• A section of the big business remained skeptical towards the movement. They seemed to be afraid of labor unrest in their factories.
• People had not learned or fully understood the method of non-violence. A violent incident in Chauri-Chaura in February 1922 marred the spirit of the movement. Gandhi responded by withdrawing from the Non-Cooperation movement arguing masses have not yet learned to practice non-violence.

Impact of Non-Cooperation Movement

• The revolt came as a complete surprise to British authorities and provided massive encouragement to millions of Indian nationalists. The country's unity was strengthened, and many Indian schools and colleges were established.
• Swaraj was not achieved in a single year, as Gandhiji had predicted. However, it was a truly mass movement in which lakhs of Indians openly protested the government through peaceful means.
• The British government was taken aback by the magnitude of the movement.
• It drew participation from both Hindus and Muslims, demonstrating the country's communal harmony.
• The Congress Party's popularity among the people was established as a result of this movement.
• People became aware of their political rights as a result of this movement. They had no fear of the government. Throngs of people flocked to jails willingly.
• As a result of the boycott of British goods, Indian merchants and mill owners made a lot of money during this time. Khadi was given a raise.
• During this time, sugar imports from the United Kingdom fell dramatically.
• This movement also established Gandhiji as a populist leader.

Conclusion