The Civil Disobedience Movement was the second major nationwide campaign led by Mahatma Gandhi, following the Purna Swaraj Declaration (1929). It aimed at challenging British authority through non-violent law-breaking and mass participation, bringing millions of Indians into active political struggle.
Background
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The Lahore Session of Congress (1929) declared Purna Swaraj (complete independence) as the ultimate goal.
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The British government failed to respond to Congress demands for independence.
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The Salt Tax, which made it illegal for Indians to produce or sell salt, became a symbol of British oppression.
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Gandhi sought a non-violent method to unite Indians and challenge colonial rule.
Key Events
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Salt March (Dandi March, March–April 1930): Gandhi led a 240-mile march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi to produce salt illegally.
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Nationwide boycott of British goods, courts, schools, and titles.
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Non-payment of taxes and refusal to obey colonial laws.
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Mass protests, picketing, and strikes across India, including villages, towns, and cities.
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Women actively participated, marking the inclusion of all sections of society in the freedom struggle.
Objectives
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To break unjust British laws peacefully and expose their illegitimacy.
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To mobilize the masses for the cause of independence.
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To promote Swadeshi and reduce reliance on foreign goods.
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To assert India’s right to self-rule through non-violent resistance.
Impact and Achievements
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Brought millions of Indians into active participation in the national movement.
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Demonstrated the power of non-violent civil disobedience as a political tool.
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Forced the British government to negotiate, resulting in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931).
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Strengthened national unity, including peasants, workers, students, and women.
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Sparked international attention to India’s struggle for freedom.
Limitations
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Movement was intermittent, with pauses for negotiations (e.g., Gandhi-Irwin Pact).
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Repression by the British led to arrests of leaders and mass violence in some areas.
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Full independence was not achieved immediately.
Key Takeaway
The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934) marked the height of Gandhi’s mass-based struggle against British rule. It proved that non-violent collective action could challenge imperial authority, unite diverse social groups, and create lasting political momentum for India’s independence.