Discuss the accomplishments and failures of Non-cooperation movement of 1920. Also elaborate upon its impact on the subsequent freedom movements in pre-independence India.

At the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress the programme of Non-cooperation
was endorsed. An important change made was, until now Congress sought to attain self-government
through constitutional means as its goal. In Nagpur session the Congress decided to have the
attainment of Swaraj through peaceful and legitimate means, thus committing itself to an extra
constitutional mass struggle. Gandhi declared that if the non-cooperation programme was
implemented completely, Swaraj would be ushered in within a year.
Achievements:
 The non-cooperation movement led by Gandhi was a mass movement which had never been
seen before and after the Great Rebellion of 1857.
 With the Non-Cooperation Movement, nationalist sentiments reached every nook and corner of
the country and politicized every strata of population—the artisans, peasants, students, urban
poor, women, traders, etc.
 This politicization of men and women which imparted a revolutionary character to the national
movement.
 The myth that British rule was invincible was challenged by Satyagraha through mass struggle.
 It gave push to indigenous products thereby helping Indian producers and damaged Britain’s
economic and commercial interests.
Failures:
 People from the middle classes led the movement at the beginning but later they showed a lot
of reservations about Gandhi’s programme.
 In places like Calcutta, Bombay and Madras, which were centers of elite politicians, the response
to Gandhi’s call was very limited.
The response to the call for resignation from the government service, surrendering of titles, etc.,
was not taken seriously.
 A section of the big business remained skeptical towards the movement. They seemed to be
afraid of labour unrest in their factories.
 People had not learnt or fully understood the method of non-violence. Violent incident in
Chauri-Chaura in February 1922 marred the spirit of the movement. Gandhi responded by
withdrawing Non-Cooperation movement arguing masses have not yet learned to practice non-
violence.

Conclusion

Even though the Non-Cooperation movement did not achieve its stated aims but the strategic and
leadership role of Mahatma Gandhi gave India’s freedom struggle new dimensions. The biggest gain
of the movement was that it gave a new confidence to the common peopl