Question

"The Civil Disobedience Movement aimed to undermine British power by resisting their oppressive laws and systems." Examine the statement.

Answer 1

The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, following the success of the Non-Cooperation Movement. It aimed to defy British colonial laws in a non-violent manner, with a focus on specific British-imposed laws.

• Resistance to Oppressive Laws:
  • The primary goal of the Civil Disobedience Movement was to undermine British authority by defying laws such as the Salt Tax. Gandhi’s Salt March, where he and his followers walked 240 miles to make salt from the sea, was a powerful act of defiance against the British monopoly on salt production.
  • The movement also aimed to challenge the repressive laws of the British colonial state, including laws that suppressed Indian industries, restricted political freedom, and allowed the British to control resources.
• Mass Participation: The movement galvanized people from all walks of life. It saw widespread participation, especially from peasants, workers, and women, in protests and the refusal to comply with colonial laws.
• Undermining British Power:
  • The movement aimed to directly challenge British economic policies, which harmed Indian industries and farmers, and undermined the political and economic control that the British had over India.
  • By refusing to obey British laws, Indians were able to weaken the British administration's grip on power, causing economic and administrative challenges for the colonial government.

Conclusion:
The Civil Disobedience Movement was an important step in undermining British power by challenging their oppressive laws and systems. It demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance and helped bring India closer to independence.