The popular mass character of the Swadeshi movement was short-lived by mid-1908.(Answer in 200 words)
Significance of the Morley-Minto Reforms: The Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced in 1909, aimed to address the growing nationalist movement in India by making some concessions to the Indian people. The reforms were significant because they: Introduced the concept of separate electorates: The reforms iRead more
Significance of the Morley-Minto Reforms:
The Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced in 1909, aimed to address the growing nationalist movement in India by making some concessions to the Indian people. The reforms were significant because they:
- Introduced the concept of separate electorates: The reforms introduced separate electorates for Muslims, which led to the creation of a Muslim minority community that was distinct from the rest of Indian society.
- Expanded the franchise: The reforms expanded the franchise, allowing more Indians to participate in the electoral process.
- Created a new system of provincial government: The reforms created a new system of provincial government, giving more autonomy to Indian provinces.
Impact on Nationalist Movement:
The Morley-Minto Reforms had a significant impact on the nationalist movement:
- Increased nationalist sentiment: The reforms increased nationalist sentiment, as Indians felt that they were not being treated as equals by the British government.
- Growing discontent among moderates: The reforms created growing discontent among moderates, who felt that the British government was not making sufficient concessions to India.
- Rise of extremism: The reforms led to the rise of extremism, as some Indians began to question the morality of non-cooperation and turned to more radical methods.
The Home Rule Movement:
The Home Rule Movement, led by Tilak and Annie Besant, emerged in response to the Morley-Minto Reforms. The movement aimed to:
- Demand complete self-government: The movement demanded complete self-government for India, rather than just limited autonomy.
- Conduct mass mobilization: The movement conducted mass mobilization, using various forms of protest and demonstration to put pressure on the British government.
Key Points:
- The Morley-Minto Reforms marked a significant turning point in Indian history: The reforms introduced new concepts and systems that had far-reaching implications for Indian politics and society.
- The Home Rule Movement was a response to the Morley-Minto Reforms: The movement emerged as a result of the growing discontent among Indians with the British government’s treatment of India.
- The Home Rule Movement marked a shift towards more radical methods: The movement marked a shift towards more radical methods, as some Indians began to question the morality of non-cooperation and turned to more extreme methods.
The period of Swadeshi movement, which began in 1905 amidst partition of Bengal and lasted for several years, was an important part of India's fight for independence. The objective was to avoid British products and encourage the use of Indian goods to develop a self-sufficient economy. The SwadeshiRead more
The period of Swadeshi movement, which began in 1905 amidst partition of Bengal and lasted for several years, was an important part of India’s fight for independence. The objective was to avoid British products and encourage the use of Indian goods to develop a self-sufficient economy.
The Swadeshi movement lost momentum due to severe government repression, as the British government used brutal force to suppress the protests. The authorities apprehended numerous officials, placed limits on public assemblies, and passed legislation to quash nationalist efforts.
The Swadeshi movement suffered from poor organisation and lack of discipline. The absence of strong leadership in the movement resulted in inconsistencies in direction, causing confusion among the population. There was a division within Nationalist ranks as the Swadeshi movement split into two groups – the Moderates and the Extremists. The Moderates supported peaceful demonstrations and step-by-step changes, while the Extremists pushed for more extreme actions, such as violent demonstrations. The division hindered the effectiveness of the movement, which the British government exploited.
Limited support among the masses: The Swadeshi movement had a narrow social base. The movement received its main support from the middle class and intellectuals, with little participation from the peasants, workers, and rural residents.
Crusade without a leader: The movement did not have a charismatic leader to motivate and bring together the people. The movement struggled to maintain its momentum as it lacked a leader, causing it to eventually lose its appeal.
Students were removed from public schools and colleges during prohibited public gatherings and processions. The media was placed under strict regulations. Police used it for dispersing public gatherings and assemblies.
During the Surat session in 1907, the Congress divided, causing additional harm to the Swadeshi movement.
The leaders of the movement, such as Ashwini Kumar Dutt, Krishna Kumar Mitra, Lokmanya Tilak, Ajit Singh, Lajpat Rai, Chidambaram Pillai, were swiftly targeted by the government, resulting in the movement becoming leaderless. Bipin Chandra Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh stepped down from politics together.
However, it is important to note that no mass movement can maintain a constant pace indefinitely without breaks, especially when encountering strong opposition, and this applies to the Swadeshi and boycott movements as well.
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