The Making Of National Movement 1870s- 1947 Class 8 Notes: CBSE History (Our Pasts - III) Chapter 8

The following article brings to us the revision notes on the making of the National Movement during the period 1870 to 1947. The idea of the National Movement originated after different political organisations came into effect after the period of the 1850’s. Most of such organisations were made between the years 1870 to 1880. There were also various reasons behind the Indian National Movement and it had quite important effects on the country’s further development.

Reasons Behind the Indian National Movement

The reasons behind the growth Indian National Movement the country are -

• In the period between 1850 and 1880, many political organizations were made. These organizations had numerous well-educated people who knew the pain of being controlled. Some of these renowned political organizations of that period were the Indian National Congress, Poona Sarvajanik sabha, Madras Mahajan Sabha, Bombay Presidency Association and many others.

• The Arms Act was made in the year 1878.

• The infamous Vernacular Press Act was made by Lord Lytton and it was passed in the year 1878 to suppress the Indian Press who criticised the government & its various actions.

• Efforts of the British Raj to introduce another infamous act was called as Ilbert Bill also led to the development of the national movement in the country. The British Govt. was compelled to withdraw the bill amidst mass protest.

• The formation of the Indian National Congress brought about a very systematic way to move against the British Raj. Some of the founding members of the Indian National Congress were Dadabhai Naoroji, W.C. Bannerjee, R.C. Dutt etc.

• The Primary Demands of INC were as follows-

• According to historians, Congress was considered to be ‘moderate’ in its approach and methods. Their demands included the following:

• The primary demand of the INC (Indian National Congress) was to make the Legislative Councils more representative of indians and give them more power.

• Indians should also be designated to higher ranks in government services. In earlier periods of time, civil service examinations were only held in London and not in india. INC claimed that the said examination should be held in India as well.

• The administration should be Indianised.

• The judiciary must also be separated from the executive.

• Freedom of speech & repeal of the Arms Act were the other demands of Congress.

• In the area of economy, curtailment of revenue, Reduction of military expenditure and more funds for irrigation were basic demands.

• Resolutions were also passed in the annual meeting of INC regarding the Salt Tax, the Handling of Indian labourers abroad and the poor condition of the forest dwellers.

• The criticism of Britishers was carried out through speeches of the political leaders of INC and the representatives of INC had reached in every nuke and corner of the country to drum up public opinion.
  
  

Rising of a New Notion – “Freedom is our Birthright’

• The method of political bargaining of the INC was criticised by some leaders after the year 1890. Major opponents of INC were Bal Gangadhar Tilak, B.C. Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai and others. More radical objectives & methods were supported by them.

• The British Govt. also played a divide-and-rule policy to neutralize the Bengali leaders by partitioning Bengal into two parts. It was opposed by the leaders of INC. The movement against the partition of Bengal is called as the Swadeshi Movement. The Swadeshi Movement is of immense historical significance.

• The Swadeshi Movement also brought the idea of boycotting the British products by promoting the ideas of self-help, swadeshi enterprise, national education etc. The idea of revolutionary violence was then realized to give an end to British rule in India.

• Congress was later split in the year 1907 by opposing the idea of a boycott. INC was separated into two parts namely Moderates and Extremists.

• INC was reunited then in the 1915 session and signed the famous Lucknow Pact with the Muslim League in the year 1916.
  

The Growth of Mass Nationalism 

After 1919, the unfortunate struggle against Britain rule simultaneously formed into a mass movement. This movement consisted of tribals, students, peasants, and women, in abundance. In some circumstances, these movements also comprise factory workers. After World War I took place, India’s political and economic situation was drastically disrupted. This thus led to an extreme rise in the Indian Government’s defence expenditure. Moreover, even individual income taxes and business profit taxes were increased. Students will learn more about everything that went down after World War I in India.

• The Advent of Mahatma Gandhi 

Mahatma Gandhi was known as a mass leader. He reached India in 1915 from South Africa. He then established non-violent protests against different racial restrictions.

• The Rowlatt Satyagraha 

In 1919, Mahatma Gandhi called for a satyagraha movement against the Rowlatt Act. This act prohibited the fundamental rights of Indians like freedom of expression and even strengthened the police powers. 

Along with these topics, students will learn thoroughly about the topics mentioned below- 

• Khilafat agitation and the Non-cooperation Movement 

• People’s Initiatives

• The People’s Mahatma 

• The happenings of 1922-1929
  

The March to Dandi 

Around 1930, Mahatma Gandhi marched along with his followers for breaking the salt law. This law states that the state consisted of a monopoly on the manufacturing and selling of salt. The Salt March thus linked the common desire for freedom to a particular grievance shared by all Indians. This further united Indians abundantly. It further brought together the poor and the rich. Gandhiji, along with his followers, marched for over 240 miles, starting from Sabarmati to Dandi, a coastal town in India. Here, they broke the law by bringing together natural salt found in the seashore. They further boiled this salt to produce salt. 

Peasants, women, and even tribes participated in this event. In this section of the chapter, students will learn more about the Dandi movement and necessary acts and dates throughout this March. Students are advised to go through the Class 8 History Chapter 11 notes to learn thoroughly about this topic.

Quit India and Later

The last section of this chapter deals with ‘Quit India’. Mahatma Gandhi started a new and final phase of the National Movement, also known as the Quit India movement. He was dedicated to making the British leave India. He motivated the people of India by saying phrases like ‘do or die’. He continued this movement with non-violence and even attracted the youth and peasants who gave up their jobs and studies to fight for the independence of India. Students will learn more about the last movement that took place before India attained independence. 

In 1940, India’s Muslim league claimed independent states for Muslims altogether. The league thus began in the late 1930s itself. The league further viewed Muslims as a whole different nation from that of Hindus. The provincial elections that took place in 1937 convinced the Muslims that they were nothing more than a minority. This thus emerged a sort of threat among the Muslims. Students will learn more about what happened in India after it attained independence from British rule.

5 Important Topics of Class 8 History Chapter 8 The Making of National Movement

Importance of Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 8 The Making of National Movement Revision Notes 

•  They provide a clear summary of key events, leaders, and movements that shaped India’s struggle for independence, making it easier to understand the historical context.

• They highlight major events and campaigns, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement and Quit India Movement, which are essential for grasping the overall timeline of the national movement.

• The notes cover the contributions of significant leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, and Bose, helping students understand their roles and impact on the independence movement.

• They simplify complex information, making it easier to review and retain important details for exams and assignments.

• They help connect different events and actions within the national movement, showing how they influenced and built upon each other.

Tips for Learning the Class 8 Chapter 8 The Making Of National Movement

• Focus on major events like the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement. Knowing their causes and effects will help you grasp the chapter better.

• Pay attention to the contributions of leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, and Bose. Understanding their roles and ideologies can make it easier to remember their impact on the national movement.

• Consider how national movements affected different regions and communities in India. Relating national events to local impacts can help make the information more relatable and memorable.

• Write down summaries of each major movement and leader. Summarizing helps reinforce your understanding and makes it easier to review later.

• Work on previous years’ exam questions related to this chapter. It will help you get used to the type of questions asked and how to answer them effectively.

Conclusion

For an enhanced comprehension of this subject, NCERT - Class 8 Chapter 8 “The Making of the National Movement: 1870s-1947”, thoughtfully prepared by experienced educators at Vedantu, is your invaluable companion. These notes break down the complexities of “The Making of the National Movement: 1870s-1947” into easily digestible sections, helping you grasp new concepts and navigate through questions effortlessly and quickly at the last minute. By immersing yourself in these notes, you prepare for your studies more efficiently and develop a profound understanding of the subject matter.

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