NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science (History : Our Past III) Chapter 9 The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947

NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science (History: Our Past III)

The NCERT Solutions in English Language for Class 8 Social Science (History : Our Past III) Chapter – 9 (The Making of the National Movement: 1870s – 1947) has been provided here to help the students in solving the questions from this exercise.

History (Our Pasts – III)

• Chapter – 1 — How, When and Where
• Chapter – 2 — From Trade to Territory The Company Establishes Power
• Chapter – 3 — Ruling the Countryside
• Chapter – 4 — Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
• Chapter – 5 — When People Rebel 1857 and after
• Chapter – 6 — Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners
• Chapter – 7 — Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation
• Chapter – 8 — Women, Caste and Reform
• Chapter – 10 — India after Independence

Chapter – 9 (The Making of the National Movement: 1870s – 1947)

Let’s Recall

1. Why were people dissatisfied with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s?

Answer – British government tried to exercise control over India. They introduced the bills to silent voices against the government. Racial attitude of government further enraged dissatisfaction for British rule in 1877s & 1880s

2. Who did the Indian National Congress wish to speak for?

Answer – The Indian National Congress wished to speak for the entire people belonging to different communities of India.

3. What economic impact did the First World War have on India?

Answer – The First World War altered the economic and political situation in India. To increase defense expenditure of government of India, they increased taxes on income of people and business. Prices were increased in the country. Demand for industrial goods in India increased. Imports in the country were declined which gave the opportunity to Indian industries to expand.

4. What did the Muslim League resolution of 1940 ask for?

Answer – The Muslim League resolution of 1940 asked for “Independent States’ for Muslims in the north- western and eastern areas of the country. The resolution did not mention partition or the name Pakistan.

Let’s Discuss

5. Who were the Moderates? How did they propose to struggle against British rule?

Answer – Those Congress leaders were called Moderates who were “moderate” in their objectives and methods.

• They proposed for a greater voice for Indians in the government and in administration.
• They wanted the Legislative Councils to be made more representative, given more power, and introduced in provinces where not existed.
• They demanded that Indians be placed in high positions in the government.
• The moderate leaders wanted to develop public awareness about the unjust nature of British rule.
• They wanted to make the government -aware of the feelings of Indians.  

6. How was the politics of the Radicals within the Congress different from that of the Moderates?

Answer –

7. Discuss the various forms that the Non-Cooperation Movement took in different parts of India. How did people understand Gandhiji?

Answer – The Non-Cooperation Movement remained non-violent at most of the places. But some people interpreted the message of Mahatma Gandhi in their own ways; mostly to suit their local grievances.

• The Patidar peasants of Kheda (Gujarat) organized non-violent campaigns against the high land revenue demand.
• Liquor shops were picketed in coastal Andhra and interior Tamil Nadu.
• The tribals and poor peasants in Guntur district (Andhra Pradesh) staged a number of forest satyagrahas, to protest against the new forest laws.
• The Khilafat-Non-Cooperation Movement gave enormous support in Sind and Bengal.
• In Punjab, the Akali agitation of the Sikhs demanded to remove the corrupt mahants from gurdwaras.
• In Assam, the tea garden labourers demanded a big hike in their wages.

8. Why did Gandhiji choose to break the salt law?

Answer – The Salt March related the general desire of freedom to a specific grievance shared by everybody and thus did not divide the rich and the poor. Hence, in 1930, Gandhiji declared that he would lead a march to break the salt law.

9. Discuss those developments of the 1937-47 period that led to the creation of Pakistan.

Answer – After the 1937 provincial elections, Congress refused to form a coalition government with the League in United Provinces. This irked the League leaders. The Muslim League passed a resolution in 1940 to demand independent states for the Muslims in the north-west and eastern India. The Cabinet Mission came to Delhi in 1946. Its aim was suggesting some framework for the independent nation. It suggested loose confederation and some degree of autonomy for the Muslim-majority areas. But negotiations between the Congress and the League failed. After that, Muslim League persisted with its demand for Pakistan. Large scale violence occurred throughout the northern part of the peninsula. The country was finally partitioned in August 1947.