Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34) – Long Answer Questions
Medium Level (Application & Explanation)
Q1. Why was the Simon Commission boycotted in 1928? Explain its impact on the national movement.
Answer:
- The Simon Commission had no Indian members.
- Indians saw this as insulting and unfair.
- People across India shouted “Simon Go Back!”
- There were protests, meetings, and nationwide boycotts.
- In Lahore, a lathi charge injured Lala Lajpat Rai, who later died.
- The boycott increased unity and anger against British rule.
- It pushed the Congress to demand complete independence.
Q2. What was the Purna Swaraj Resolution (1929)? Why was 26 January 1930 important?
Answer:
- At Lahore in December 1929, Jawaharlal Nehru presided over Congress.
- The Congress declared Purna Swaraj or Complete Independence as its goal.
- This was a clear shift from dominion status to full freedom.
- On 26 January 1930, people celebrated Independence Day.
- They took public pledges to fight peacefully for freedom.
- This day created mass awareness and commitment to the cause.
- It prepared the ground for Civil Disobedience.
Q3. Why did Gandhi choose salt for the Civil Disobedience Movement? Describe the Dandi March.
Answer:
- Salt was a basic necessity used by rich and poor.
- The British put a heavy tax on salt and controlled its production.
- Choosing salt linked the movement to every home.
- On 12 March 1930, Gandhi began a 24-day, 240-mile march.
- He walked from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in Gujarat.
- On 6 April 1930, he made salt by evaporating seawater, breaking the law.
- Thousands joined, turning it into a mass protest.
Q4. Explain the main methods of Civil Disobedience. How were they used in towns and villages?
Answer:
- The core idea was to refuse to obey unjust laws.
- People broke salt, forest, and liquor laws.
- They boycotted foreign cloth and goods.
- They refused to pay taxes, especially land revenue in rural areas.
- In towns, protests, hartals, and picketing of shops were common.
- In villages, peasants stopped paying revenue and joined marches.
- The aim was to paralyze unjust colonial control.
Q5. What were the terms of the Gandhi–Irwin Pact (1931)? Why did Gandhi attend the Second Round Table Conference?
Answer:
- The British used repression to crush protests. Talks then began.
- Under the Gandhi–Irwin Pact, Gandhi agreed to suspend the movement.
- He also agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference in London.
- The government agreed to release political prisoners (not those accused of violence).
- It allowed peaceful protest once again.
- Gandhi attended to voice India’s demand and seek a fair settlement.
- It was a strategic pause, not a surrender.
High Complexity (Analysis & Scenario-Based)
Q6. How was the Civil Disobedience Movement different from the Non-Cooperation Movement in goals and participation?
Answer:
- After a slow phase, the new goal became Purna Swaraj or complete independence.
- Civil Disobedience aimed to break unjust laws, not just withdraw cooperation.
- It targeted salt, forest, and liquor laws, and taxes directly.
- The Salt March gave it a clear, symbolic start.
- Participation widened to include women, peasants, and tribals in larger numbers.
- It spread deeper into rural India than before.
- The movement became more mass-based and more defiant.
Q7. Imagine you are a village head in 1930. How would you mobilize peasants for Civil Disobedience despite risks?
Answer:
- I would explain the salt tax and land revenue burden in simple words.
- I would link the movement to daily life, like the cost of salt.
- I would plan peaceful actions: marches, meetings, and tax refusal.
- I would ensure discipline and non-violence to avoid harm.
- I would involve women and youth to widen support.
- I would create a mutual aid fund to help families if arrests happen.
- I would keep contact with Congress volunteers for guidance.
Q8. Was suspending the movement in 1931 for the Gandhi–Irwin Pact a wise strategy? Analyze with pros and cons.
Answer:
- Pros: It led to release of political prisoners.
- Pros: It allowed peaceful protest again, legally.
- Pros: Gandhi could present India’s case at the Second Round Table Conference.
- Cons: The talks did not meet Congress demands.
- Cons: Some felt it slowed down mass momentum.
- Overall: It was a calculated risk to gain political space and relief for activists.
- It showed a flexible yet principled approach.
Q9. Why did the later phase (1932–34) face problems? Explain the role of repression and failed talks.
Answer:
- The Second Round Table Conference did not satisfy Congress.
- The movement resumed in 1932 but met severe repression.
- There were arrests, bans, and police action across regions.
- Constant pressure weakened organizational strength.
- People grew tired and fearful over time.
- Without gains from talks, morale fell in many areas.
- By 1934, the movement lost momentum and ended.
Q10. What was the significance of the Civil Disobedience Movement for India’s freedom struggle?
Answer:
- It brought millions into active politics, including women, peasants, and tribals.
- It took nationalism deep into villages and small towns.
- It showed the power of non-violent mass action.
- It made salt a simple, powerful symbol of freedom.
- It fixed Purna Swaraj as the central goal.
- Even after it ended, it left a strong resolve for complete independence.
- It prepared India for the final phase of the struggle.