Question

Why did Mahatma Gandhi start the 'Civil Disobedience Movement'? How did this movement unite the country? Explain.

Answer 1

The Civil Disobedience Movement led by M.K. Gandhi, in the year 1930 was an important milestone in the history of Indian Nationalism. 

1. Economic depression on Indian economy : 

a. Agricultural prices began to fall and collapsed in 1930.

b. The demand for agricultural goods declined.

c. It became difficult for the peasants to sell their harvest and pay revenue.

d. The entire country was in crisis. 

e. It helped in reshaping the national movement.

2. Failure of the Simon commission :

a. The British appointed Simon Commission in 1927. It was to examine the functioning of the constitutional system in India.​

b. The main purpose was to determine India's fitness for self-government.

c. Since the Commission did not have a single Indian member it was seen as an insult to the self-respect of Indians.

d. Leaders boycotted the commission and greeted it with Black flags and slogans 'Simon go back'.

e. British retaliated in a brutal manner, with lathi charge in which Lala Lajpat Rai was fatally wounded

3. Oppressive salt laws :

a. To wage a struggle against the oppressive British policies and laws, Mahatma Gandhi sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands on 31st January 1930. These demands represented the general interests and which all the classes identified with. 

b. The most important demand was to abolish the salt tax. 

c. Since salt was consumed by rich and poor alike and was one of the most essential food items. The salt tax levied by the government revealed the most oppressive side of the colonial. rule. 

d. Salt was seen by Mahatma Gandhi as a powerful symbol that could unite masses.

e.  The eleven demands served as an ultimatum to the government failing to fulfill which he would resort to his agenda of swaraj. , These demands represented the general interests and which all the classes identified with. The most important demand was to abolish the salt tax. 

f. The colonial government failed to concede to the demands,

g. Hereby, Gandhi chose to break the salt law peacefully and show resistance to British rule. This instigated the Civil disobedience movement and the salt march to Dandi. 

The following were the main features of the Civil Disobedience movement:

a) The people refused to obey unjust laws. Gandhi led the Dandi March and broke the unjust salt tax law as a challenge to the British Government.

b) The foreign cloth was boycotted and liquor shops were picketed. Peasants refused to pay revenue and taxes. People also broke the forest laws.

c) Schools, colleges and government offices and institutions were boycotted.

d) There was large- scale arrest of people and leaders who participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement.