Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement — Question 4

The Civil Disobedience Movement created a sense of collective belonging resulting in the spread of nationalism in the following ways:

1. The Movement caused a tide of patriotic fervour in the country that would not leave the Government in peace.
2. The Civil Disobedience Movement widened the base of the freedom struggle. A large number of social groups like merchants and shopkeepers, peasants, tribals and workers in different parts of the country were mobilised for the Indian national movement.
3. It made people understand the significance of the principles of non-violence. People could resist violence with tolerance and courage.
4. The Movement under the leadership of Birla and the 'Harijan Sevak Sangh' changed the social conditions. The depressed classes were given entry into temples and access to wells, which was earlier denied to them.
5. It brought women out of their homes to participate in politics and to make them equal partners in the freedom struggle.
6. The movement revived the will to fight the elections.