(a) Colonisation affected people's freedom, and nationalist
sentiments surged during the process of struggle against
imperial domination. The sense of oppression and exploitation
became a common bond for people from different walks of life,
and this resulted in the growth of nationalist ideals. Thus,
growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to anti-colonial
movements.
(b) During the First World War, the British army conducted
forced recruitment from rural areas in India. To finance the
defence expenditure, high custom duties and income taxes were
imposed. Also, during 1918-19 and 1920-21, crops failed in
many parts of India, thereby resulting in acute food shortages.
All this caused extensive anger and opposition against the British
colonial rule, and the national movement of India headed
towards a stronger, more definitive direction.
(c) The Rowlatt Act was passed hurriedly through the Imperial
Legislative Council despite opposition from Indian members. It
gave the government autocratic powers to repress political
activities besides allowing it to detain political prisoners without
a trial, for two years. The Indian were outraged by this act as it
was clearly undemocratic and oppressive, and hurt national
sentiments and dignity.
(d) Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation
Movement due to various incidents of violence perpetrated by
the masses, especially the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922 where
the people clashed with the police, setting a police-station on
fire. Gandhiji felt that the people were not yet ready for a mass
struggle, and that satyagrahis needed to be properly trained for
non-violent demonstrations.
No comments:
Post a Comment