The non-cooperation movement was launched in 1920 by Gandhi to protest British rule through nonviolent means like boycotting British institutions and goods. While it initially saw success with many joining, violence broke out in response to police action which caused Gandhi to suspend the movement in 1922. Though its immediate goals were not met, it helped unite Indians and demonstrated the power of nonviolent civil disobedience in the independence struggle.

2. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
 What were the reasons behind the
starting of the Non-Cooperation
movement?
 Why the movement failed?
 How the non cooperation movement
helped India attaining independence?

3. INTRODUCTION
A newchapterinthehistoryofIndia’s struggleforindependencewasopenedwiththenon-cooperationmovementin1920. Basedonthe principles
ofnon-violenceandboycott,this movementwaslaunchedformallyonAugust 1,1920.
 The Non-cooperation movement is said to be the first organized
national movement against British rule.
 Though, First - It has a lot of importance in modern Indian history.
 The movement formally begun on August 1st,1920.
 Gandhi promised, that if everything goes right, then India will be
free within a year.
 Thousands of students, lawyers, peasants, workers joined the
movement.
 People Boycotted Government schools, colleges, foreign cloths,
Courts as a sign of protest.
 But, apparently the movement became violent.
 At last, It has to be withdrawn.
 Failure?

4. CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE NON
COOPERATION MOVEMENT
 DISILLUSION AT THE END OF THE WW I.
(British promised autonomy – Used Indian Wealth, Manpower - Indians helped – at last, British
never did anything - Greatly disillusioned.)
 IMPOSITION OF ROWLATT ACT.
( Revolutionary activities - disturbed British officials - then governor general came up with the idea of
reform-cum-repression – A new committee formed – Sydney Rowlett - tried to put restriction upon
the Freedom of liberty – whole of the nation rose in indignation against the government, and like a
wild fire there was a wave of an agitation all over the country.)
 JALLIANWALA BAGH INCIDENT.
( 13th April, 1919 - More than 20,000 people had gathered in a protest – Single Entrance gate in protest
area - General Dyre, with 150 with his men were surrounding the place - Soon he ordered his men
to fire at those protesters – Many died)
 KHILAFAT MOVEMENT.
( Dismissal of the Khalif- Anger among Indian Muslims against British – Gandhi apporached Ali
brothers – Unity among Hindu Muslims – The all India Khilafat Committee adopted the Non
Cooperation programme of Gandhiji - Appealed the Muslim community to join the movement and
urged to fight together against the British.)

5. Aims of the Movement
Surrender of all titles and Government posts
Boycott of Government schools and colleges
Boycott of all functions of the British Government
Boycott of law courts
Boycott of all foreign articles
Formation of Nyay Panchayats
Development of small scale industries
Development of communal harmony
Use of Swadeshi articles
Establishment of national schools
End of untouchability and caste-system
Adoption of non-violence in the whole country.

6. Starting of the movement
 The movement was launched formally on 1st August 1920.
 Gandhiji, along with the Ali brothers (Khilafat leaders), undertook a
nation-wide tour during which he addressed hundreds of meetings
and met a large number of political workers.
 In the first month itself thousands of students left schools and
colleges and joined the movement and more than 800 national
schools and colleges that had sprung up all over the country.
 The boycott of law courts by lawyers was not as successful as the
educational boycott, but it was very dramatic and spectacular. Many
leading lawyers of the country, like C. R. ,Das, Motilal Nehru, M. R.
Jayakar, Vallabhbhai Patel, C. Rajagopalachari etc gave up
lucrative practices, and their sacrifice became a source of
inspiration for many.
 Volunteers would go from house to house collecting clothes made
of foreign cloth, and burnt the cloths together.
 In Assam, tea workers went on a strike.
 There was a overall success in every part.

7. But...
 On 17 Nov,1921 Prince of Wales visited Bombay. The day
when Prince was to land on Bombay, Gandhi called a
nationwide Hartal protesting Prince’s visit. However, there
was clashes between who went to the Prince’s welcome
meeting and who came back from the Gandhiji’s meeting.
Police sacking, riot happened.
 A three day long violent activity was going on all over the
Bombay
 The whole sequence of event left Gandhi worried about the
future of the protest.

8. CHOURI-CHOURA INCIDENT
 On 5 February, 1922 a violent outburst took
place at Chouri Choura in the Gorakhpur
district of the United Province of British India.
 A large group of protesters, participating in
the Non-cooperation movement, clashed with
police, who opened fire.
 In reprisal the demonstrators attacked and set
fire to a police station, killing all of its
occupants.
 The event led to the deaths of three civilians
and 22 or 23 policemen.

9. Suspension of the Movement
 Gandhi viewed the Chauri Chaura tragedy as a red signal, a warning
that the atmosphere in the country was too explosive for a mass
movement.
 After this incident, Gandhi himself called off the movement.
 He decided to retrace his steps, to cancel the plans for civil
disobedience in Bardoli, to suspend the aggressive part of the non-
cooperation campaign, and to shift the emphases to the
‘constructive' programme of hand-spinning, communal unity,
abolition of untouchability etc.
 The Indian National Congress officially called off the Non-
Cooperation Movement on February 12, 1922.

10. Reasons apart from Chauri Chouraincident…
 Though Chouri Choura incident had a major role in the suspension, but its not
the only reason.
 Fall of The Caliph : After Kamal Pasha overthrew the Caliph from Turkey, the
fight for the Caliph weaken and that was not a issue anymore to fight. There
was a difference of thought between Ali Brothers and Gandhi. The Muslims
also got divided into Khalifat supporter and Congress supporter.
 Unproductive student boycott : The protracted boycott of colleges and
schools by students dampened the zeal of the movement. There were no
alternative built up till then. The students had no option but to join the
government run schools and colleges again.
 Failure of the programme of Boycott : Gandhi, before the starting of the
movement promised that they will get Swaraj within a year if nothing goes
wrong. But, till 1922, Most of the goals were not attained.
 Repressive measure taken by the British : British took repressive
measures to stop the movement. They brutally attacked those who retaliated.
With the help of the Rowlatt Act British officials arrested, killed people at their
wish. Judiciary was too well maintained by the British officials. Hence, People
started avoiding meetings, rallies in support of the movement.

11. Conclusion
 The Non Cooperation Movement of 1920 failed to achieve its immediate goal
of establishing Swaraj in India. But this apparent failure must not blind us
about the immense impact the movement had on India and its people.
 Though none of programmed fulfilled yet it was not a failed movement. The
movement had its success in many grounds.
 Indian people could realise that it was through this organisation that the goal
for Swaraj could be achieved.
 It united the Indian people.
 The movement failed because people were not that mature for a complete
non violent movement.