How did Congress establish their position in the 1920s and how did it change? (14) Flashcards
What happened to their membership?
By the end of 1921, it rose from a base of 100,000 to around 2 million.
Why did some Conservative members leave?
They objected to seeing Congress turn from being a pressure group to one of open defiance to the British Raj
How did Congress achieve this heightened support?
Extending its appeal into geographical areas and wooing interest groups that had previously been neglected. Many of its new supporters came from the richer peasantry and the commercial castes, but was also beginning to recruit support from railway workers, mill-hands and the poorer-peasants.
Who did leadership pass to after the end of non-cooperation?
The moderates - C.R. Das (a barrister) and Motilal Nehru. Both favoured taking advantage of the Gov of India Act 1919 and in 1923 members of Congress were allowed to stand for election to the councils set up by the Raj. This meant that Congress could use their position to bring down the Raj from the inside.
How did Congress’ success in the 1923 elections impact Congress?
Their presence on local councils gave those bodies an air of respectability and the election gave an air of respectability to the members of Congress - increasing the popularity of the Congress Party itself. Many middle class Indians - alienated by Gandhi - returned.
What did Gandhi do upon being released from prison in 1924?
Went back to basic, est. All-India Spinners’ Association to promote hand-spinning and weaving as well as the cause of village self-sufficiency.
Persuaded Congress to embark on mass literacy and improvement of village sanitation campaign - Congress didn’t take much persuading.
He began to campaign on behalf of the Untouchables for them to fully enter society.
Who were the ‘young hooligans’?
Subhas Chandra Bose, Jayaprakash Narayan and Jawaharlal Nehru.
What was the aim of the ‘young hooligans’?
Collectively and separately lobbied on the All-Indian Congress Committee and the Congress Working Committee relentlessly for a renewed push towards independence. They avoided the idea of settling for dominion status.
Why did Gandhi view them as radical?
They were attracted to Socialism while Gandhi was deeply conservative.
Define dominion.
To be self-governing, but within the British Empire.
