Civil Disobedience Movement, Phase 2 – Unstoppable Uprising: The Powerful Rebirth of Civil Disobedience
Historical Background
Mahatma Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience Movement stands as one of the most outstanding movements in India’s long fight for independence. First launched in 1930, it was a kind of nonviolent resistance against the attack of British colonial rule. Even the second phase of this movement was equally important: it rejuvenated nationalism and pointed to the necessity of attaining complete sovereignty. There is a detailed outline in a structured, point-by-point format of the second phase.
Background and Need for the Second Round
Revival of the Movement:-
The civil disobedience movement was again initiated in 1932 after the suspension of the first round.
Unrelenting British Suppression:-
British government, despite signing the Gandhi-Irwin Pact did not soften its repressive attitude and did not make any meaningful political concessions.
Round Table Conferences:-
The failure of the second Round Table Conference held in 1931 further intensified the discontent among Indian nationalists.
Re-arrest of Gandhi:-
Mahatma Gandhi was again arrested in 1932. The Indian population reacted sharply and demanded restarting the movement.
Popular demand for Swaraj, Self-Rule:-
On continued atrocities of the British government, demands for independence with Dominion status were sought after in increased numbers instead.
Key Demands for the Second Round
Entire Independence (Purna Swaraj):-
Only full independence, not that of Dominion status, had to be sought after now.
Mass Mobilization:-
Involving a significant section of the Indian body politic, mostly peasants and workers, together with the women folk
Challenge the British Authority Boycott:-
British institutions-its symbol of authority and goods and British made stuff.
Non-violent Resist:-
to encourage methods and modes for protest that include civil resisters facing an offensive but violent reaction.
Civil Liberations:-
restoration against oppression measures; anti-untouchability acts; or unjust laws on civil rights and also removal of Censorship
Methods
Boycotting Goods:-
boycotted the produce of British in exchange emphasized the sale and promotion of indigenous stuff.
Non-payment of Taxes:-
The nationalists refused to pay taxes, especially land revenue taxes, which were raised specifically to break the money bags of the British
Mass Protest and Demonstrations:-
Organized peaceful street meetings, processions and mass rallies to keep their spirits high and to aware more and more people with this message.
Parallel Administration:-
In many areas they even established parallel administrations like own secretariat, assembly and judiciary to replace all that the British had undertaken
Literature of The Under-Ground:-
Heavily censored Underground Newspapers and pamphlet, conveyed information, order of work and patriotic themes.
Eminent Leaders and Activists
Mahatma Gandhi:-
The movement’s leader, but often in jail.
Sarojini Naidu:-
Organized women and conducted processions when Gandhi was in jail.
Jawaharlal Nehru:-
Was very much involved in the planning and encouragement of youth to join the movement.
Abbas Tyabji:-
Strongly dedicated, especially during Gandhiji’s imprisonment
Women’s Participation:-
This was the first time that large women membership was seen, joining India’s freedom struggle.
Important Events
Salt March of Dharasana:-
The Salt Satyagraha continued and included events like the Dharasana Salt Works raid, which attracted global attention to British brutality.
Mass Arrests:-
Thousands of protesters were arrested. Prominent leaders and commoners were arrested.
Police Brutality:-
British authorities used brutal methods to crush protesters, including lathi charges, public beatings, and shootings.
Bardoli Satyagraha:-
The Bardoli campaign undertaken by Sardar Patel was a marvellous example of concerted civil disobedience.
Impact of Boycotts:-
The British revenue in India had severely been affected because of the boycott of their goods especially cloth.
Reaction and Repression by British
Mass Arrests:-
The second phase of the movement had seen the arrest of over 100,000 Indians, many of whom did not even stand trial
Repressive Legislation:-
Ordnance contained those who prohibited public assembly, barred publications, and enhanced control over the press.
Press Censorship:-
Harsh repressive measures were taken against the expression of nationalistic feelings in the press and journals.
Expropriation of Property:-
Properties belonging to leaders and activists were expropriated as a punitive measure so that people would refrain from joining the ranks.
Cruelty and Bestiality:-
Repressive measures involved shooting and detaining those who organized protests and called for strikes.
Regional Faces of the Movement
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar:-
Masses of support came from rural areas where peasants showed interest in the tax resistance campaigns.
Maharashtra:-
Very militant protests and participating in picketing of foreign goods.
Bengal:-
High resistance and developing subterranean networks for continuation of the movement, though repression was severe.
South India:-
Coastal districts were very active, particularly in salt protests.
North-West Frontier Province: The “Frontier Gandhi” was Abdul Ghaffar Khan. This province proved highly active, with the movement gaining momentum through the Khudai Khidmatgar movement.
Role of International Support
International Press:-
International media carried reports on British atrocities and raised sympathy for the cause of India.
American Correspondents:-
Several American correspondents covered the movement and raised worldwide opposition to British policies.
European and American Thinkers:-
The Western thinkers felt a lot of sympathy for the non-violent policy adopted by Gandhi and demanded freedom for India.
British Government under Scourge:-
International pressure mounted on Britain to make some concession and talk to Indian leaders.
Iconic Representation of Anti-Colonial Resistance:-
The Second Stage Civil Disobedience Movement became a landmark and an icon for the international anti-colonial resistance.
Aftermaths of the Second Round of Mass Action
Eroding British Power:-
Massive civil disobedience largely depleted British power and authority in Indian territories
Ripeness in Independence Movement:-
Mass mobilization restyled the ripeness with which the Indian people made vows for independence
Women’s Involvement:-
The high number of women increased the sustainability of activism and its effects at the community level.
Impact on British Industries
Boycotts and tax refusal drained the British revenues, thus causing them a weak economic ground.
Preparation for Future Movements
It made a ground for future movements like the Quit India Movement.
Problems and Limitations
British Crackdowns:-
Heavy British crackdown led to mass mobilization; therefore, the movement could not spread effectively.
Less Resources:-
The lack of resources restricted the movement for extended periods.
Divisions Among the Indian Leaders:-
Sometimes it became difficult for the movements to hold together because there were differences in approach as well as ideology among various Indian leaders.
Weak in Organization:-
British suppression at every point targeted the movement for its communication and organization in a way that coordination started to become difficult.
Continuous Losing of Momentum:-
Sustained resistance by British along with strict laws tired the masses, and a loss of morale ensued in this regard.
Legacy and Importance
Consolidation of the Nationalist Spirit:-
The movement consolidated the national spirit and brought together diversely disparate sections of society.
Inspiration to the Future:-
This freedom movement inspired future generations and movements that worked towards winning independence for India.
Lasting Legacy of Nonviolent Protest:-
The non-violent protest movement established in the Civil Disobedience Movement became an irreversible legacy in world history.
Freedom Movement Contributing:-
This movement was highly supportive to the final steps in achieving independence. The efforts clearly proved the capability of civil resistance.
Acknowledgement of Indian Resolve:-
Britain finally realized the undaunted resolve of Indians for their freedom, opening way for further talks with the Indian people.
Conclusion:-
This was the decisive phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement and the struggle for India’s independence. The movement, though severely repressed and beset by many difficulties, was a consolidation of collective resolve for freedom and emphasized peaceful resistance. It brought in millions, united the country across social lines, and set the stage for subsequent actions that would finally culminate in independence in 1947.
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