Non-Cooperation Movement 1920

The Non-Cooperation Movement was started on 5th September 1920 by Indian National Congress, under the aegis of Mahatma Gandhi. In the Congress Session in Calcutta on September 1920, the party introduced the Non-Cooperation Movement, the period taken from September 1920 to February 1992 and it came to signify a new chapter in the history of freedom struggle in the Indian context. Events like the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and Chauri Chaura in 1922 were responsible for the launch Non-Cooperation Movement.

Non-Cooperation Movement and Mahatma Gandhi

The main force behind the non-cooperation movement was Mahatma Gandhi and in March 1920, he issued a manifesto that declared a doctrine for a non-violent form of the non-cooperation movement. Mahatma Gandhi adopted the following doctrines through his manifesto:

1. Adopted Swadeshi principles.
2. Adopted Swadeshi habits like hand spinning and weaving
3. Work for removal of untouchability.

Features of Non-Cooperation Movement

Important features of the non-cooperation movement are as follows:

1. The movement was a peaceful as well as non-violent protest against the British government in India.
2. Indian people were relinquish from their titles and also resigned from the nominated seats in local bodies as form of protest.
3. People were asked to resign from the governmental jobs.
4. Childrens from government controlled or aided schools and colleges were asked to withdraw.
5. People withdrew from legislative councils.
6. INC demanded for self-government or swarajya.
7. Complete non-violent means can be employed for getting demands fulfilled.
8. Assurance of Gandhiji to attain Swaraj in a year if movement continued for completion.
9. People were asked for boycotting foreign goods and only use Indian made goods.
10. People asked to not serve in British army.

Causes of Non-Cooperation Movement

The causes for Non-Cooperation movement are as follows:

Resentment at British after War

Indians thought that in return for extensive support in the form of manpower and resources provided to British during First World War, they would be given autonomy at the end of war; but Government of India Act 1919 came to be dissatisfactry and British passed some repressive acts like Rowlatt Act which came to further anger the Indians.

Home Rule Movement

Home Rule Movement by Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak was staged for Non-Cooperation Movement. Both extremists and moderates of INC were united and Lucknow Pact saw form of solidarity between Muslim League and Congress Party. This gave INC a more militaristic outlook.

Economic hardships because of World War I

Prices of goods began to soar which came to affect the common man and peasants suffered as the prices of agricultural products did not increase and led to resentment against government.

Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Repressive Rowlatt Act and also brutal Jallianwala Bagh Massacre had profound impact on Indian leaders and public. Faith in British system of Justice was broken and rallied behind its leaders who wanted a more aggressive stand against government.

Khilafat Movement

During the First World War, Turkey had fought against British and after defeat of Turkey, Ottoman Caliphate was proposed to be dissolved. Muslims regarded the Sultan to be Caliph and Khilafat movement was launched under the leadership of Ali Brothers, Maulana Azad, Hakim Ajmal Khan and Hasrat Mohani. Support of Gandhiji for persuading the British government to not abolish caliphate.

How did Non-Cooperation Movement become a Mass Movement?

1. The non-cooperation movement became a mass movement because of the following:
2. Non- Cooperation movement was initiated under the leadership of Gandhiji on the year 1921. It aimed in the protection from injustice which was done in Punjab and Turkey and for attainment of Swaraj.
3. Educated middle class had led the non-cooperation movement in towns and cities. Educational institutions and foreign goods came to be boycotted.
4. Contestation to election were avoided in most provinces.
5. Peasant movement were organised against landlords and talukdars in villages.
6. Tribal people also initiated armed movement under leadership of Alluri Sitaram Raju.
7. Plantation workers of Assam also participated for right to free movement.

Why was Non-Cooperation suspended?

Gandhiji called the movement off on February 1922 in wake of the infamous Chauri Chaura incident. A violent mob set fire on a police station which killed around 22 policemen during a clash between police and protesters of movement. Gandhiji called off the movement as people were not ready for revolt against government by ahimsa. Leaders like Motilal Nehru and C R Das were against suspension of the movement.

Significance of Non-Cooperation Movement

The significance of non-cooperation movement are as follows:

1. Swaraj was not achieved in a year as said by Gandhiji. It was a mass movement where many people participated as an open protest against government with ahimsa and non-violent ways.
2. British were shooked by the movement and saw participation by both Hindus and Muslims by showcase of communal harmony.
3. Popularity of Congress Party was established and people became conscious of their rights.
4. Good profits by Indian merchants and mill owners as Khadi promoted.

People's Response to Non-Cooperation Movement

Following were the responses of various people to non-cooperation movement:

1. Bussinessmen who supported the movement as a form of nationalistic movement on use of Swadeshi products, tend to be beneficial.
2. Peasants and middle class people got an opportunity for showcasing their non acceptance of the British rule.
3. Women also participated actively in the movement.
4. Plantation workers flew plantation fields in support of Gandhiji.
5. A lot people surrendered their titles and honours given by British government.
6. People boycotted civil services, courts, schools and colleges run by British government.
7. Surrender of titles and honours to the British government by many people.
8. Courts, schools, services were boycotted

Facts about Non-Cooperation Movement

Related Links

1. Different Forms of Non-cooperation Movement
2. All India Muslim League and Contribution to Indian National Movement
3. Non-Brahman Movement