The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) was the first mass civil disobedience movement led by Mahatma Gandhi against British rule. It aimed to boycott British institutions, goods, and services while promoting self-rule (Swaraj).
1. Background & Causes
✔ Rowlatt Act (1919) → Allowed imprisonment without trial, leading to nationwide protests.
✔ Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919) → British General Dyer ordered open fire on unarmed civilians.
✔ Khilafat Movement (1919) → Muslim leaders sought Gandhi’s support against the British over Turkey’s disintegration after World War I.
✔ Gandhi’s Leadership → Advocated Non-Cooperation as a peaceful protest strategy.
2. Launch of the Movement
✔ Date: August 1, 1920
✔ Announced by: Mahatma Gandhi & Congress at the Nagpur Session (1920)
✔ Objectives:
- Swaraj (self-rule) through peaceful non-cooperation.
- Unite Hindus and Muslims under a common cause.
- Oppose British policies through mass protests & boycott.
3. Key Features of Non-Cooperation Movement
✔ Boycott of:
- British schools, colleges, courts, and offices.
- Foreign goods (textiles, liquor, British-made products).
- Elections under British rule.
✔ Promotion of Swadeshi:
- Use of Khadi (handspun cloth) instead of British textiles.
- Encouragement of indigenous industries.
✔ Resignations & Surrenders:
- Several lawyers like Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, and Rajendra Prasad gave up their legal careers.
- Many government employees resigned.
✔ Mass Protests & Strikes:
- Farmers, workers, and students actively participated.
- Involved cities like Bombay, Madras, Delhi, and Punjab.
✔ No Payment of Taxes:
- People stopped paying revenue and taxes to the British government.
4. Spread of the Movement
✔ In Bengal: Led by Chittaranjan Das & Subhas Chandra Bose.
✔ In Punjab: Lala Lajpat Rai played a crucial role.
✔ In Gujarat: Led by Vallabhbhai Patel.
✔ In South India: C. Rajagopalachari was active.
5. Chauri Chaura Incident & Suspension (1922)
✔ Chauri Chaura (February 5, 1922) → Protesters burned a police station, killing 22 policemen.
✔ Gandhi’s Response → Called off the movement on February 12, 1922, stating that people were not ready for non-violence.
6. Impact & Consequences
✔ Failure to achieve Swaraj immediately, but it awakened national consciousness.
✔ Strengthened the Indian National Congress as a mass-based movement.
✔ Inspired future movements like Civil Disobedience (1930) & Quit India (1942).
✔ British response: Arrested thousands of leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi (March 1922, sentenced to 6 years, released in 1924).
7. Why It Was Called Off?
✔ Chauri Chaura violence – Gandhi believed non-violence was compromised.
✔ Lack of complete participation – The movement was urban-centered, and peasants were not fully mobilized.
✔ British repression – Arrests & crackdowns weakened the movement.
8. Important Facts for Exams
✔ Started: August 1, 1920
✔ Ended: February 12, 1922
✔ Leader: Mahatma Gandhi
✔ Slogan: Swaraj through Non-Cooperation
✔ Major Supporters: Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, Subhas Chandra Bose, Vallabhbhai Patel
✔ Why it was withdrawn? Due to the Chauri Chaura Incident (1922)
9. MCQs on Non-Cooperation Movement
1. In which year was the Non-Cooperation Movement launched?
(a) 1919
(b) 1920
(c) 1930
(d) 1942
✔ Answer: (b) 1920
2. What was the main objective of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
(a) Economic reforms
(b) Industrial development
(c) Achieving Swaraj
(d) None of the above
✔ Answer: (c) Achieving Swaraj
3. The Non-Cooperation Movement was suspended due to which incident?
(a) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
(b) Chauri Chaura Incident
(c) Simon Commission arrival
(d) Dandi March
✔ Answer: (b) Chauri Chaura Incident
10. Quick Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Started | August 1, 1920 |
| Ended | February 12, 1922 |
| Led by | Mahatma Gandhi |
| Major Aim | Swaraj (Self-rule) through peaceful resistance |
| Methods Used | Boycott of British goods, schools, courts, and elections |
| Reason for Withdrawal | Chauri Chaura Incident (1922) |
| Impact | Strengthened nationalism, set stage for future movements |
Conclusion
The Non-Cooperation Movement was the first major nationalist movement that united Indians against British rule. Though it did not immediately achieve Swaraj, it laid the foundation for mass political participation in future struggles.
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