The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) – Facts And History

The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched on 1st August 1920 by the Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The goal of the movement was to achieve India’s independence from British colonial rule by non-violent means.

The movement began with a call for Indians to boycott British goods, schools, colleges, and the civil service. The idea was to make it difficult for the British to govern India and to force them to negotiate with the Indian leaders.

The movement gained widespread support across India, with millions of people participating in protests, strikes, and marches. The British government responded by arresting thousands of people, including Gandhi himself, and using brutal force to suppress the movement.

Despite the movement’s initial success in mobilizing mass support, it was suspended by Gandhi in 1922 after a violent clash between police and protesters in the town of Chauri Chaura resulted in the deaths of several police officers. Gandhi believed that the movement had become violent and that he could no longer control it.

The suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement led to a split within the Indian National Congress, with some leaders advocating for more radical forms of protest, while others favored a more moderate approach. The split led to the formation of the Swaraj Party, which sought to work within the existing political system to achieve India’s independence.

Although the Non-Cooperation Movement did not achieve its immediate goal of Indian independence, it had a profound impact on Indian politics and society. It was the first mass movement against British colonial rule in India and inspired other anti-colonial struggles around the world. It also marked the emergence of Gandhi as a leader of the Indian independence movement and a proponent of non-violent resistance as a means of achieving political change.

Objectives Of The Non-Cooperation Movement:

The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi with the primary objective of achieving India’s independence from British colonial rule. Some of the key objectives of the movement were:

1. Boycott of British goods: The movement aimed to boycott British goods and encourage the use of Indian-made products. This was aimed at weakening the British economy and reducing their influence in India.
2. Non-cooperation with the British government: The movement called for Indians to refuse to cooperate with the British government, including boycotting government schools, colleges, and institutions.
3. Civil disobedience: The movement aimed to promote civil disobedience as a means of protest against British rule. This included peaceful protests, strikes, and demonstrations.
4. Promotion of swadeshi: The movement aimed to promote the use of swadeshi (indigenous) goods and encourage the growth of Indian industries.
5. Removal of British officials: The movement aimed to remove British officials from positions of power and replace them with Indians.

Overall, the Non-Cooperation Movement was a peaceful and non-violent campaign aimed at achieving India’s independence from British colonial rule by using various methods of non-cooperation, boycotts, and civil disobedience.

Leaders Involved in The Non-Cooperation Movement:

The Non-Cooperation Movement was a significant civil disobedience campaign launched by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. However, there were many other prominent leaders who played a crucial role in the movement. Some of them are:

1. Mahatma Gandhi: He was the primary leader of the Non-Cooperation Movement and advocated non-violent resistance against British colonial rule.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru: Nehru was a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and played an instrumental role in organizing the Non-Cooperation Movement.
3. Vallabhbhai Patel: Patel was a key leader of the Indian National Congress and played an important role in mobilizing support for the Non-Cooperation Movement in Gujarat.
4. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose: Bose was a radical leader who criticized Gandhi’s non-violent approach and advocated for more militant forms of resistance against British colonial rule.
5. Motilal Nehru: He was the founder of the Swaraj Party, which was formed after the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
6. Muhammad Ali Jinnah: Jinnah was a prominent leader of the All India Muslim League and participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement.
7. Annie Besant: Besant was a British-born social reformer who supported India’s independence movement and played a key role in organizing the Non-Cooperation Movement.

These leaders, along with many others, played an important role in mobilizing support for the Non-Cooperation Movement and advocating for India’s independence from British colonial rule.

Reason For Withdrawl Of The Non-Cooperation Movement:

The Non-Cooperation Movement, launched by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, was suspended in 1922. The primary reason for the withdrawal of the movement was the violent incident that took place in the town of Chauri Chaura in Uttar Pradesh, India.

On February 5, 1922, a group of protesters who were participating in the movement clashed with the police in Chauri Chaura. The police fired upon the protesters, killing three of them. In response, the protesters set fire to a police station, killing 22 police officers.

Gandhi was horrified by the violence and believed that the movement had become too radical and uncontrollable. He felt that the use of violence went against the principles of non-violence and could lead to more bloodshed. As a result, he decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement.

The suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement was a significant setback for the Indian independence movement. However, it also marked a turning point in the movement, as Gandhi began to focus more on constructive programs, such as rural development, education, and the promotion of Indian goods. These efforts helped to mobilize public support for the independence movement and laid the groundwork for future struggles against British colonial rule.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Non-Cooperation Movement was a significant civil disobedience campaign launched by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. The movement aimed to achieve India’s independence from British colonial rule through non-cooperation, boycotts, and civil disobedience. The primary objectives of the movement were to boycott British goods, non-cooperation with the British government, promotion of swadeshi, and removal of British officials.

The Non-Cooperation Movement had many prominent leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose, Motilal Nehru, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Annie Besant, who played an instrumental role in mobilizing public support for the movement and advocating for India’s independence.

However, the movement was suspended in 1922 due to the violent incident in Chauri Chaura. The suspension marked a turning point in the Indian independence movement, as Gandhi began to focus more on constructive programs and laid the groundwork for future struggles against British colonial rule.

Furthermore, the Indian National Congress experienced a split in 1907 and again in 1916 due to differences in ideology and strategy. Despite these challenges, the Indian independence movement continued to grow and gain momentum, ultimately leading to India’s independence in 1947.