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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 that, 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

Even though the Non-Cooperation movement did not achieve its stated aims but the strategic and leadership role of Mahatma Gandhi gave India’s freedom struggle new dimensions. The biggest gain of the movement was that it gave new confidence to the common people and taught them to be fearless in their political pursuits and made Swarajya an important goal.