The Non-Cooperation movement
1920 - 1922
"The Non-Cooperation Movement was a significant phase of the Indian Struggle from British rule. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi and was supported by the Indian National Congress. Gandhi had started the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre." (Sagar Ravichandar) This movement had aimed to resist British occupation in India through non-violent measures. "Protestors would refuse to buy British goods, adopt the use of local handicrafts, picket liquor shops, and try to uphold the Indian values of honor and integrity." (Baha Udeen Khan) "This was the first event in which Gandhi’s ability to rally hundreds and thousands of common citizens towards a single cause, Independence." (Neeru Sharma) Gandhi had performed a similar movement in South Africa, Champaran, Bihar, and Gujarat. From these previous acts, he had learned that the only way to earn attention of the British Officials is to actively resist government activities through civil disobedience.
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always."
- Mahatma Gandhi
SatyagrahaSatyagraha, which can be loosely translated as “insistence on truth” or “truth force,” is a philosophy or practice within the broader category known as nonviolent resistance or civil resistance. The term "satyagraha" was coined and developed by Mahatma Gandhi. "He deployed satyagraha in the Indian Independence Movement and also during his earlier struggles in South Africa for Indian rights." (Hemant Kumar) For Gandhi, satyagraha went far beyond mere "passive resistance" and became strength in practicing non-violent methods. In his words, "Truth (satya) implies love, and firmness (agraha) engenders and therefore serves as a synonym for force." (Mahatma Gandhi)
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SwadeshiSwadeshi was a call for only Indian products to be bought and sold in India. "Gandhi encouraged small village businesses and asked the people to stop buying anything made with British machines or in British factories. Instead, everyone began making their own goods, including spinning their own cloth." The Indian people were urged to become self-reliant, using what could be found locally and gaining the skill to support themselves. By practicing Swadeshi, Indians weakened the British industry and learned how to be economically independent.
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Mental violence has no potency and injures only the person whose thoughts are violent. It is otherwise with mental non-violence. It has potency which the world does not yet know.
- Mahatma Gandhi