Explain:(a) Why is the growth of nationalism in the colonies linked to an anti-colonial movement ?(b) How did the First World War help in the growth of the National Movement in India? Or Explain any four facts to show how did the First World War help in the growth of the National Movement in India. [CBSE March 2011](a) Why were Indians outraged by the Rowlatt Act ?(b) Why did Gandhiji decide to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Answers
Explanation:
(a) Growth of nationalism in the colonies is linked to an anti-colonial movement because:
Colonisation affected people’s freedom.
The sense of oppression and exploitation became a common bond for people of different groups which resulted in the growth of nationalist ideals.
People began discovering their unity in the process of their struggle with colonialism.
(b) The First World War helped in the growth of the National Movement in India in the following ways:
During the First World War, the British army forcibly recruited people from the rural areas of India.
To finance the defence expenditure, custom duties were raised and income taxes were imposed.
During 1918-19 and 1920-21, crops failed in many parts of India which resulted in acute food shortages. All this caused extensive anger and opposition against the British colonial rule, and the national movement of India headed towards a stronger and more definitive direction.
(c) Indians were outraged by the Rowlatt Act due to the following reasons:
The Rowlatt Act was passed hurriedly through the Imperial Legislative Council despite opposition from Indian members.
It gave the government autocratic powers to repress political activities and allowed detention of political prisoners without a trial for two years.
It was clearly injustice and oppressive for Indians..
(d) Gandhiji decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement due to the following reasons:
The movement was turning violent at few places. In 1922, at Chauri-Chaura in Gorakhpur, a peaceful demonstration turned into a violent clash in which more than 20 policemen were killed.
Gandhiji felt that the Safyagrahis needed to be properly trained before they would be ready for mass struggle.
Within the Congress, some leaders were tired of mass struggles and wanted to participate in elections to the provincial councils