The Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM): Causes, Impact & Limitations

The Civil Disobedience Movement, launched in 1930 under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership, was a mass protest against colonial rule through nonviolent means such as breaking the Salt Law, boycotting British goods, and refusing to pay taxes. This movement was significant as it unified diverse sections of Indian society, gained international attention, and intensified the freedom struggle. This article aims to study in detail the causes, course, and impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

About Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

• The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–21) laid the foundation for mass participation in India’s freedom struggle.
• Though it did not achieve its immediate goal of Swaraj (self-rule), it brought millions into the fold of active political agitation.
• The next phase, the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), emerged nearly a decade later, introducing a unique method of protest involving the violation of colonial laws.
• This movement aimed to paralyze the British administration through non-payment of taxes and deliberate law-breaking.
• The Civil Disobedience Movement started in 1930, with the launch of the historic Dandi March on March 12, 1930, led by Mahatma Gandhi to protest against the British salt laws.

Causes of Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

• Economic Distress – The Great Depression (1929): The export-oriented colonial economy faced a severe crisis during the Great Depression, intensifying economic hardships for peasants, workers, and businesses. The rising cost of daily goods further aggravated public dissatisfaction, creating fertile ground for mass mobilization.
• Simon Commission (1929): The formation of an all-white Simon Commission to review the Government of India Act (1919) enraged Indians, sparking widespread protests. The unity exhibited during these protests revitalized Indian nationalism, which had waned after the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Emergence of New Trends: The late 1920s witnessed the growth of socialism, communism, and workers’ and peasants’ movements. A revived revolutionary movement with secular and socialist ideals added momentum to the anti-imperialist struggle.
• Success of Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): The success of the Bardoli Satyagraha, led by Sardar Patel, showcased the effectiveness of nonviolent satyagraha and reestablished Gandhi as a national leader.
• Adoption of Poorna Swaraj (1929): The Congress formally declared Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) as its goal, driven by leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru. This move galvanized the nation and set the stage for a broader, more radical movement.
• Gandhi’s Eleven-Point Demands: Gandhi presented eleven demands to the British government, addressing issues like land revenue reduction, abolition of salt tax, and the release of political prisoners. These demands sought to unite Indians across various socio-economic strata. Lord Irwin’s refusal to accept them triggered the launch of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Read our detailed article on the Simon Commission.

Course of Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

The Civil Disobedience Movement began on 12th March 1930 with the Dandi March, where Gandhi and his followers marched 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi to break the Salt Law on 6th April 1930. This symbolic act of picking up a fistful of salt resonated across the nation, sparking widespread defiance.

Major Activities in Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

• Violation of salt laws in various regions.
• Boycott of foreign goods and burning of foreign cloth.
• Refusal to pay taxes, including land revenue and chowkidari tax.
• Picketing liquor shops and shops selling foreign goods.
• Women’s active participation in spinning and picketing.

Regional Participation in Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

• North-West Frontier Province (NWFP): Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan led the movement here, earning the title “Frontier Gandhi.”
• Sholapur: Textile workers and residents went on strike, destroyed symbols of colonial authority, and established a parallel government.
• Bihar and Bengal: Protesters launched anti-chowkidari tax campaigns.
• Gujarat: Villagers boycotted taxes and sought refuge in neighboring princely states to escape repression.
• United Provinces: A no-rent and no-revenue campaign targeted zamindars and the British government.
• Manipur and Nagaland: Leaders like Rani Gaidinliu actively participated, though she was later captured and imprisoned.

The Dharasana Salt Works protest, led by Sarojini Naidu after Gandhi’s arrest, brought global attention to British brutality. Webb Miller, an international journalist, documented the event, exposing the inhumane actions of British authorities to the world.

Impact of Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

• Economic Impact: Government revenue fell sharply as imports of British goods decreased.
  • Income from land revenue, excise, and liquor taxes was severely affected.
• Widened Participation:
  • Women: Their active participation in protests marked a significant shift in India’s freedom struggle.
  • Merchants and Traders: Boycotts of British goods found enthusiastic support, especially in Tamil Nadu and Punjab.
  • Peasants and Workers: Kisan Sabhas and anti-zamindar campaigns gained momentum in provinces like Bihar and Gujarat.
• Global Attention: The movement drew international sympathy, exposing the atrocities of British rule and gaining supporters for India’s cause worldwide.

Significance of Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

The significance of Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) can be seen as follows:

• Highlighting Economic Exploitation: The movement directly targeted colonial economic policies by boycotting British goods, refusing to pay taxes, and breaching laws like the Salt Law, which symbolized British exploitation.
  • It severely impacted colonial revenue from imports, liquor excise, and land taxes, underlining the dependence of British administration on Indian compliance.
• Integration of Non-Violent Resistance: Gandhi’s strategy of nonviolent satyagraha reached new heights during CDM. The Dandi March became an iconic symbol of peaceful defiance and inspired similar acts of resistance across the country.
  • The Dharasana Salt Works protest, despite brutal repression, showcased the moral strength of nonviolence and attracted international attention to India’s cause.
• Global Attention and Sympathy: The brutal suppression of the movement, including incidents like the Dharasana Salt Works protest, was widely reported by foreign journalists like Webb Miller, exposing British atrocities to the world.
  • The movement earned global sympathy, enhancing India’s international standing and creating pressure on the British government to negotiate with Indian leaders.
• Strengthening Nationalism: The CDM helped rekindle the spirit of nationalism after the lull following the Non-Cooperation Movement.
  • By focusing on issues that resonated with different social classes (e.g., the salt tax for the poor, land revenue for peasants, and trade barriers for merchants), it united Indians across regions and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Setting the Stage for Future Movements: The movement was not a complete success in achieving its immediate goals, but it prepared Indians for greater sacrifices in the freedom struggle.
  • The lessons learned from CDM informed the strategies of subsequent movements, such as the Quit India Movement (1942).
• Political Significance: CDM paved the way for negotiations with the British, culminating in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931). While the pact was controversial, it demonstrated the effectiveness of mass movements in compelling the colonial government to engage with Indian leaders.
  • It strengthened the Congress’s position as the leading political force in India and brought Gandhi’s leadership to the forefront once again.
• Inspiration for Anti-Colonial Movements Worldwide: The success of Gandhi’s strategy of civil disobedience inspired anti-colonial movements in other parts of the world, cementing India’s role as a leader in the global fight against imperialism.

Limitations of Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

• The Civil Disobedience Movement faced several limitations despite its widespread participation.
• It failed to achieve complete independence and struggled to sustain momentum due to intense British repression, arrests of leaders, and internal divisions.
• The movement saw limited participation from certain sections, such as Muslims, who were increasingly aligning with the Muslim League, and lower castes, who felt neglected in the national agenda.
• Moreover, the economic hardships caused by boycotts and the Great Depression further weakened its impact.
• These challenges highlighted the need for a more inclusive and unified approach to India’s freedom struggle.

Difference between Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement​ (CDM)

Dimension	Non-Cooperation (1921)	Civil Disobedience (1930)
Cause	Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and Khilafat issue.	Great Depression, Simon Commission, rejection of Gandhi’s demands.
Participation	Middle-class urbanites, peasants, and workers.	Broader participation, including women and traders.
Muslims’ Role	Active due to Khilafat issue.	Limited, due to rising communal politics.
Withdrawal	Called off after the Chauri Chaura incident.	Suspended after the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931).

Evaluation of Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)

• While the movement could not achieve complete independence, it significantly strengthened the resolve of Indians to fight for freedom.
• It highlighted Gandhi’s strategy of nonviolence and mass mobilization while preparing the nation for future struggles.
• Despite exhaustion among participants, it laid the groundwork for a unified national effort against colonial rule.
• As Subhas Chandra Bose aptly remarked, Gandhi’s Dandi March symbolized a movement as momentous as Napoleon’s march from Elba to Paris, marking a turning point in India’s quest for freedom.

Conclusion

The Civil Disobedience Movement was a milestone in India’s freedom struggle. It went beyond being a mere protest; it was a demonstration of India’s capacity for collective action, resilience, and moral strength. By challenging the British not just economically and politically but also morally, it laid the foundation for the final phase of the independence movement.

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