Class 8 Social Science Notes Chapter 5 (The Making of the National Movement: 1870s--1947) – Our Pasts - III (Part-2) Book

Alright class, let's delve into a crucial chapter for understanding modern India: 'The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947'. This period witnessed the rise of national consciousness and the long struggle that ultimately led to India's independence. These notes will be helpful for your exams.

Chapter 5: The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947

1. The Emergence of Nationalism (Post-1857 Reality)

• Growing Consciousness: After the 1857 revolt, a clearer sense of dissatisfaction with British rule emerged among educated Indians. People began to realize that British rule was detrimental to India's economic, political, and social interests.
• Key Realizations:
  • Economic Drain: Resources and wealth were flowing out of India to Britain.
  • Political Subjugation: Indians had no say in their own governance.
  • Racial Arrogance: The British considered themselves superior and discriminated against Indians.
• Factors Promoting Nationalism:
  • Western Education: Exposed Indians to ideas of democracy, liberty, and nationalism, while also creating a common language (English) for communication among the educated elite from different regions.
  • Press & Literature: Newspapers (like Tilak's Kesari), journals, and patriotic literature spread nationalist ideas and critiqued British policies.
  • Rediscovery of India's Past: Scholars highlighted India's glorious past, boosting self-confidence and national pride.
• Early Political Associations: Before the INC, several regional associations were formed to voice grievances:
  • Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870)
  • Indian Association (1876 - Surendranath Banerjea)
  • Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884)
  • Bombay Presidency Association (1885)
• Controversial British Policies Fueling Discontent:
  • Arms Act (1878): Disallowed Indians from possessing arms.
  • Vernacular Press Act (1878): Allowed the government to confiscate assets of newspapers publishing "objectionable" material (aimed at silencing criticism in Indian language papers). Repealed later.
  • Ilbert Bill Controversy (1883): The bill sought to allow Indian judges to try Europeans. Fierce opposition from Europeans forced its withdrawal/modification, highlighting racial prejudice and fueling Indian anger.

2. The Indian National Congress (INC) - Formation and Early Years (1885-1905)

• Formation: Founded in December 1885. A retired British civil servant, A.O. Hume, played a key role in its establishment.
• First Session: Held in Bombay. W.C. Bonnerjee was the first President. 72 delegates attended.
• Early Aims:
  • Create a platform for nationalist political workers across India.
  • Promote national unity.
  • Formulate popular demands and present them to the government.
  • Train and organize public opinion.
• The Moderate Phase (1885-1905):
  • Leaders: Dadabhai Naoroji ('Grand Old Man of India'), Pherozeshah Mehta, Badruddin Tyabji, Surendranath Banerjea, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Romesh Chandra Dutt.
  • Methods: Believed in gradual reform and constitutional methods. Used petitions, resolutions, meetings, speeches, and articles ('Prayers, Petitions, and Protests'). They aimed to educate the British public and government about Indian grievances.
  • Key Demands:
    • Greater representation for Indians in legislative councils and government jobs (Indianisation of administration).
    • Separation of the judiciary from the executive.
    • Repeal of the Arms Act and Vernacular Press Act.
    • Reduction in military expenditure and land revenue.
    • Freedom of speech and expression.
  • Critique: Criticized for their 'mendicant' (begging) approach. Their methods yielded limited success, leading to frustration among younger nationalists. Dadabhai Naoroji's book 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' offered a powerful critique of British economic exploitation (Drain Theory).

3. Growth of Militant Nationalism (Extremism) & Swadeshi Movement (1905-1915)

• Reasons for Rise:
  • Failure of Moderate methods to yield substantial results.
  • Reactionary policies of Lord Curzon.
  • Growing self-confidence and awareness among Indians.
  • Impact of international events (e.g., Japan's victory over Russia in 1905).
  • Partition of Bengal (1905): The most significant trigger.
    • Official Reason: Administrative convenience (Bengal was too large).
    • Real Reason: To weaken the nerve centre of Indian nationalism (Bengal) and divide Hindus and Muslims ('Divide and Rule').
• Swadeshi Movement (Response to Partition):
  • Methods: Boycott of British goods, institutions (schools, courts), and titles. Promotion of Swadeshi (indigenous) goods, national education, and Indian languages. Mass mobilization through public meetings and processions. Use of traditional festivals and melas.
  • Emphasized Atmashakti (self-reliance).
  • Spread beyond Bengal to other parts of India.
• Key Leaders (Extremists):
  • Lala Lajpat Rai (Punjab), Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Maharashtra), Bipin Chandra Pal (Bengal) – collectively known as Lal-Bal-Pal.
  • Aurobindo Ghosh.
  • They advocated stronger methods like mass agitation, boycott, and passive resistance to achieve Swaraj (self-rule).
  • Tilak famously declared: "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it!"
• Formation of the All India Muslim League (1906):
  • Formed in Dacca by a group of Muslim landlords and nawabs (led by Aga Khan, Nawab Salimullah of Dacca).
  • Supported the Partition of Bengal.
  • Demanded separate electorates for Muslims (accepted by the British in the Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909), which sowed the seeds of communal politics.
• Surat Split (1907): Differences between Moderates and Extremists over methods and goals led to a split in the Congress at the Surat session. Extremists were expelled.
• Lucknow Pact (1916): Congress (now reunited with Extremists) and the Muslim League signed a pact, agreeing to present common political demands to the government, marking a phase of Hindu-Muslim cooperation. Congress accepted the principle of separate electorates.

4. The Gandhian Era Begins (1915 onwards)

• Mahatma Gandhi's Return: Returned to India from South Africa in January 1915, where he had successfully fought racial discrimination using Satyagraha (non-violent resistance based on truth).
• Early Local Campaigns: Before launching nationwide movements, Gandhi tested his methods in:
  • Champaran Satyagraha (1917): Against oppressive indigo planters in Bihar. (First Civil Disobedience)
  • Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918): Supported textile workers demanding better wages. (First Hunger Strike)
  • Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Supported peasants demanding revenue remission due to crop failure in Gujarat. (First Non-Cooperation)
• Rowlatt Act (1919): Passed despite unanimous Indian opposition. Allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years. Seen as a betrayal after India's support in WWI.
• Rowlatt Satyagraha: Gandhi called for a nationwide hartal (strike) on April 6, 1919. It was the first all-India struggle against the British.
• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (Amritsar, April 13, 1919):
  • A peaceful, unarmed crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh to protest the arrest of leaders (Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal).
  • General Dyer blocked the only exit and ordered troops to fire on the crowd, killing hundreds.
  • This brutal incident shocked the nation and solidified opposition to British rule. Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood in protest.

5. Non-Cooperation Movement & Khilafat Agitation (1920-1922)

• Khilafat Issue: Indian Muslims were angered by the harsh treaty imposed on the Turkish Sultan (considered the Caliph or Khalifa, spiritual head of the Muslim world) after World War I. Khilafat Committee formed under Ali Brothers (Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali), Maulana Azad, Hasrat Mohani.
• Gandhi's Strategy: Saw the Khilafat issue as an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims against British rule. Convinced Congress to support the Khilafat cause and launch a Non-Cooperation Movement for Swaraj.
• Movement Launched (1920):
  • Aims: Redress the Punjab wrongs (Jallianwala Bagh), the Khilafat wrong, and attain Swaraj.
  • Methods: Boycott of government schools, colleges, courts, legislative councils, foreign cloth, and government titles. Promotion of Swadeshi goods, Hindu-Muslim unity, and non-violence. Thousands of students left government institutions; lawyers gave up practice. Huge bonfires of foreign cloth.
  • Mass Participation: Unprecedented participation from peasants, workers, students, women, and merchants across India.
• Withdrawal (February 1922): Gandhi abruptly called off the movement after the Chauri Chaura incident in Gorakhpur, UP, where protestors clashed with police, resulting in the deaths of 22 policemen. Gandhi felt the movement had turned violent and people were not ready for non-violent struggle.

6. Developments Between Movements (1922-1929)

• Constructive Work: Gandhi focused on constructive programmes like promoting khadi, Hindu-Muslim unity, and removal of untouchability.
• Swaraj Party (1923): Formed by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru, who advocated entering legislative councils to obstruct British rule from within ('Council Entry').
• Revolutionary Nationalism: Frustration with the suspension of Non-Cooperation led to a revival of revolutionary activities. Key figures: Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad. Formed the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1928. Carried out actions like the Kakori train robbery (1925), assassination of Saunders (1928), and bombing in the Central Legislative Assembly (1929 - to 'make the deaf hear').
• Simon Commission (1927): An all-white commission appointed by the British government to review India's constitutional progress. Boycotted by all Indian parties ('Simon Go Back' protests) because it had no Indian members. Lala Lajpat Rai was severely injured during a protest in Lahore and died later.
• Nehru Report (1928): An Indian response to the Simon Commission, drafted by a committee headed by Motilal Nehru. Demanded Dominion Status for India.
• Lahore Congress Session (December 1929):
  • Presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru.
  • Declared Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) as the goal of the Congress.
  • Decided to launch a Civil Disobedience Movement.
  • Decided to observe January 26, 1930, as Independence Day (Purna Swaraj Day).

7. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)

• Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha):
  • Gandhi launched the movement by breaking the Salt Law, which gave the state a monopoly on salt manufacturing and sale. Salt was chosen as it affected everyone.
  • Marched from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi on the Gujarat coast (March 12 - April 6, 1930). He broke the law by making salt.
• Spread of the Movement:
  • Salt laws were broken across the country.
  • Boycott of foreign cloth and liquor shops.
  • Refusal to pay taxes (e.g., land revenue, chaukidari tax).
  • Violation of forest laws by peasants and tribals.
  • Widespread participation, especially by women, peasants, and business groups.
  • Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan ('Frontier Gandhi') led the movement in the North-West Frontier Province (Khudai Khidmatgars or Red Shirts).
• Government Response: Brutal repression, mass arrests (including Gandhi and Nehru).
• Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931): Movement suspended. Gandhi agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference (RTC) in London. Government agreed to release political prisoners (not revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh).
• Second RTC (1931): Failed as Gandhi's demands for constitutional reforms were not met. Issues of separate electorates for minorities complicated discussions.
• Resumption & Withdrawal: Gandhi resumed the movement on return, but it lacked the earlier fervor. Finally withdrawn in 1934.

8. Towards Independence (1935-1947)

• Government of India Act, 1935:
  • Provided for provincial autonomy (elected Indian ministers responsible to provincial legislatures).
  • Envisaged an All-India Federation (which never materialized).
  • Elections held in 1937. Congress formed ministries in most provinces. They undertook some reforms but resigned in 1939.
• World War II (1939): India was declared a party to the war by the Viceroy without consulting Indian leaders. Congress ministries resigned in protest.
• Demand for Pakistan: The Muslim League, under Muhammad Ali Jinnah, grew in influence. In 1940 (Lahore Session), the League passed a resolution demanding autonomous states for Muslims in the north-western and eastern areas of the country (the 'Pakistan' resolution). They feared Muslims would be dominated by Hindus in independent India.
• Cripps Mission (1942): Sent by the British government to secure Indian cooperation for the war effort. Offered Dominion Status after the war, but failed as Congress wanted immediate transfer of power and the League insisted on Pakistan. Gandhi called it a 'post-dated cheque'.
• Quit India Movement (August 1942):
  • Launched by Gandhi at the Bombay session of AICC. Gave the call 'Do or Die'.
  • Demanded immediate end to British rule.
  • It was a spontaneous mass uprising after the arrest of top leaders (Gandhi, Nehru, Patel etc.) on August 9.
  • Characterized by attacks on symbols of British authority (police stations, post offices, railway lines), formation of parallel governments in some areas (e.g., Satara, Medinipur).
  • Brutally suppressed by the British.
• Towards Partition and Independence:
  • Wavell Plan & Simla Conference (1945): Failed attempt to resolve deadlock between Congress and League.
  • Cabinet Mission (1946): Proposed a three-tiered federation with a weak centre and provincial groupings. Rejected by both parties over differing interpretations (Congress wanted a stronger centre, League saw groupings as a step towards Pakistan).
  • Direct Action Day (August 16, 1946): Called by the Muslim League to press for Pakistan. Led to large-scale communal riots, starting in Calcutta ('Great Calcutta Killings'), and spreading to other areas like Noakhali and Bihar.
  • Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947): Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy, proposed the partition of India into India and Pakistan, and immediate transfer of power. Accepted by Congress and the League.
  • Indian Independence Act (July 1947): Passed by the British Parliament, implementing the Mountbatten Plan.
  • Independence: India gained independence on August 15, 1947.
  • Partition: The joy of independence was marred by the tragedy of Partition, which led to mass migrations, unprecedented communal violence, and the displacement of millions.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. The Vernacular Press Act, aimed at silencing criticism in Indian language newspapers, was enacted in which year?
   a) 1875
   b) 1878
   c) 1883
   d) 1885

2. Who was the first President of the Indian National Congress during its inaugural session in Bombay in 1885?
   a) A.O. Hume
   b) Dadabhai Naoroji
   c) W.C. Bonnerjee
   d) Surendranath Banerjea

3. The slogan "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it!" is associated with which nationalist leader?
   a) Mahatma Gandhi
   b) Jawaharlal Nehru
   c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
   d) Lala Lajpat Rai

4. The Partition of Bengal, a key event that fueled the Swadeshi Movement, was announced by Lord Curzon in which year?
   a) 1900
   b) 1905
   c) 1907
   d) 1911

5. The All India Muslim League was formed in 1906 primarily in:
   a) Aligarh
   b) Lucknow
   c) Calcutta
   d) Dacca

6. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where General Dyer ordered firing on a peaceful gathering, took place on:
   a) April 6, 1919
   b) April 13, 1919
   c) August 9, 1920
   d) February 5, 1922

7. Mahatma Gandhi called off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 due to which incident?
   a) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
   b) Chauri Chaura Incident
   c) Kakori Conspiracy
   d) Simon Commission Protests

8. The resolution for 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) was adopted by the Indian National Congress at which session?
   a) Calcutta Session, 1928
   b) Lahore Session, 1929
   c) Karachi Session, 1931
   d) Lucknow Session, 1916

9. The famous Dandi March, led by Mahatma Gandhi, was launched in 1930 to protest against the:
   a) Rowlatt Act
   b) Simon Commission
   c) Salt Law
   d) Communal Award

10. The Quit India Movement was launched in August 1942 following the failure of the:
    a) Simon Commission
    b) Round Table Conferences
    c) Cripps Mission
    d) Cabinet Mission

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. b) 1878
2. c) W.C. Bonnerjee
3. c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
4. b) 1905
5. d) Dacca
6. b) April 13, 1919
7. b) Chauri Chaura Incident
8. b) Lahore Session, 1929
9. c) Salt Law
10. c) Cripps Mission

Remember to connect these events and understand the cause-and-effect relationships between them. This chronological understanding is vital for grasping the flow of the national movement. Good luck with your preparation!