Class 8 History Solutions for Chapter 8 – The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947

The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947 – Class 8 NCERT Solution is all about the expansion of the Indian national movement from 1870 to 1947, which wanted independence from British rule. The movement resulted in the development of several political organizations, including general constituencies comprised of people from different backgrounds. Our Top Social Science Experts prepare these NCERT Solutions to take care of all Important Topics that might be asked in the upcoming examination 2024-2025. So, Students can refer to these solutions for their final Examination preparation.

This Class 8 Social Science Chapter 8 The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947 NCERT Solutions are carefully developed using easy-to-understand language while adhering to the guidelines for solving NCERT Solutions for Class 8. Working through these solutions can be highly beneficial for students in their board exams, as well as in preparing for future competitive Exams.

Class 8 History Solutions for Chapter 8 – The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947

NCERT Solutions Class 9 History Chapter 2: Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
CBSE Class 8 Revision Notes
How to Score Good Marks in Exams?

NCERT History Class 8 Solutions for Chapter 8 – The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947

Exercise Pages No 110

Q1. Why were people dissatisfied with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s?

Answer:

People were dissatisfied with British rule in the 1870s and 1880s due to various reasons:

• British policies favored British industries over Indian enterprises, leading to economic exploitation and impoverishment of Indian artisans and farmers.
• Heavy land revenue demands and harsh taxation policies imposed by the British caused widespread agrarian distress and peasant revolts.
• British rule created social discrimination, with Indians facing racial discrimination and exclusion from administrative and military positions.
• British policies aimed at Anglicizing Indian society threatened indigenous cultures and traditions, leading to resentment and cultural resistance.
• Indians were excluded from meaningful participation in governance, with power concentrated in the hands of British officials and colonial administrators.

Q2. Who did the Indian National Congress wish to speak for?

Answer:

The Indian National Congress wished to speak for the interests and aspirations of the Indian people as a whole. Initially, it mainly represented the educated middle class, including lawyers, journalists, and intellectuals, who sought political reforms and greater participation in governance. Over time, the Congress expanded its scope to support the rights of all Indians, including peasants, workers, women, and marginalized communities, in their struggle for freedom, equality, and social justice.

Q3. What economic impact did the First World War have on India?

Answer:

The First World War had several economic impacts on India:

• India’s industries experienced a surge in demand for goods such as textiles, jute, steel, and food items to support the war effort. This led to an expansion of production and increased exports.
• The increased demand for goods, coupled with disruptions in supply chains and transportation due to the war, led to inflation and a rise in prices, particularly affecting the cost of essential commodities.
• The war stimulated industrial growth in India, as factories increased production to meet wartime demands. This contributed to the modernization and expansion of India’s industrial base.
• The purchasing of resources for the war effort, as well as the recruitment of agricultural laborers into the military, caused disruptions in agricultural productivity. Also, inflationary pressures impacted farmers’ purchasing power and lives.
• The British government in India borrowed heavily to finance the war effort, leading to increased public debt. The burden of this debt fell disproportionately on Indian taxpayers, worsening economic inequalities.

Q4. What did the Muslim League resolution of 1940 ask for?

Answer:

The Muslim League resolution of 1940, commonly known as the Lahore Resolution or Pakistan Resolution, called for the creation of independent states for Muslims in areas where they were in a majority within the Indian subcontinent. It specifically demanded the establishment of “independent states” in the Muslim-majority regions of the subcontinent, reflecting the Muslim League’s aspiration for a separate nationhood for Muslims, ultimately leading to the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

Q5. Who were the Moderates? How did they propose to struggle against British rule?

Answer:

The Moderates were a faction within the Indian National Congress during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They believed in using constitutional methods and dialogue to seek reforms within the framework of British rule. Their leadership included prominent figures like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Surendranath Banerjee.

The Moderates proposed to struggle against British rule through peaceful and constitutional means, such as petitions, resolutions, and negotiations with British authorities. They advocated for reforms such as expansion of legislative councils, introduction of representative government, and greater participation of Indians in administrative affairs. They also aimed to raise public awareness about India’s grievances and rights through speeches, writings, and public campaigns. However, they stopped short of advocating for outright independence from British rule, preferring instead to work within the existing colonial framework to achieve gradual reforms and self-governance.

Q6. How was the politics of the Radicals within the Congress different from that of the Moderates?

Answer:

The politics of the Radicals within the Congress differed significantly from that of the Moderates:

Aspect	Radicals	Moderates
Approach to British Rule	Advocated confrontational tactics like protests, boycotts, and civil disobedience	Preferred constitutional methods and dialogue with British authorities
Goal of the Movement	Aimed for complete independence from British rule	Initially sought reforms within the framework of British rule, hesitant to advocate for outright independence
Social and Economic Agenda	Prioritized social and economic reforms, including land reforms and workers’ rights	Focused mainly on political reforms and participation in governance
Leadership and Strategy	Led by younger leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai	Led by older, more established figures like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Surendranath Banerjee, favoring a cautious and gradualist strategy

Q7. 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, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, took various forms in different parts of India:

• Across India, people boycotted British goods, including textiles, clothes, and salt, as part of the movement. This boycott aimed to weaken the economic foundation of British rule and promote self-reliance.
• Indians withdrew from government institutions, including schools, colleges, and courts, refusing to cooperate with the British administration. This non-cooperation disrupted the functioning of colonial institutions and undermined British authority.
• Many Indians, particularly elites, surrendered their titles, honors, and positions in British institutions as a symbolic rejection of British authority and a commitment to the nationalist cause.
• Gandhi promoted the use of khadi (hand-spun cloth) and encouraged the Swadeshi (indigenous) movement, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and promoting Indian industries.
• Protest marches, rallies, and demonstrations were organized across India to express anger against British rule and demand independence. These peaceful protests mobilized masses and showcased popular support for the nationalist cause.

People understood Gandhi as a charismatic leader who used principles of truth, non-violence, and simplicity. He was seen as a symbol of resistance against British oppression and a champion of social justice and equality. Gandhi’s message resonated with people from all walks of life, including peasants, workers, women, and students, who saw him as a visionary leader fighting for their rights and dignity. His emphasis on non-violence and moral courage inspired millions and galvanized the masses to join the struggle for independence. Gandhi’s ability to connect with people on a personal and spiritual level earned him widespread admiration and respect, making him a revered figure in the Indian nationalist movement.

Q8. Why did Gandhiji choose to Break the Salt Law?

Answer:

Gandhiji chose to break the salt law as a symbolic act of civil disobedience to challenge British colonial rule and highlight the unjust nature of British laws. The salt law imposed a heavy tax on salt production and prohibited Indians from making salt, a basic necessity of life. By breaking the salt law, Gandhi aimed to demonstrate the power of nonviolent resistance and to mobilize the Indian masses in the struggle for independence. The Salt Satyagraha, or Salt March, led by Gandhi in 1930, caused widespread civil disobedience across India and attracted international attention to the Indian freedom struggle. Breaking the salt law was a strategic move by Gandhi to attract public support, undermine British authority, and demand fundamental rights and freedoms for the Indian people.

Q9. Discuss those Developments of the 1937-47 Period that led to the Creation of Pakistan.

Answer:

The period from 1937 to 1947 witnessed several developments that ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan:

• Muslim League’s Electoral Success: In the 1937 provincial elections, the All-India Muslim League (AIML) won major support from Muslim voters, especially in regions like Bengal, Punjab, and Sindh. This electoral success increased the League’s claim to represent Muslim interests and aspirations in British India.
• Congress Rule and Muslim Discontent: The Congress formed governments in several provinces after the 1937 elections, leading to concerns among Muslims about the protection of their rights and interests under Congress rule. The perceived domination of Congress by Hindu leaders fueled Muslim fears of marginalization and discrimination.
• Demand for Pakistan: Against this backdrop, the Muslim League, under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, intensified its demand for the creation of Pakistan, a separate nation for Muslims in the Muslim-majority regions of British India. The Lahore Resolution of 1940, also known as the Pakistan Resolution, formally articulated this demand.
• Failure of Constitutional Negotiations: Efforts to find a constitutional solution to the communal issue through negotiations between the Congress and the Muslim League failed to yield results. The breakdown of talks and the continuation of Hindu-Muslim tensions further strengthened the case for a separate Muslim state.
• Partition Plan and Independence: As the British prepared to leave India, the Indian Independence Act of 1947 proposed the partition of British India into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan. The Muslim-majority regions in the northwest and northeast became Pakistan, while the rest formed India. The partition plan was accepted by the Congress and the Muslim League, leading to the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947.

Q10. Find out how the national movement was organised in your city, district, area or state. Who participated in it and who led it? What did the movement in your area achieve?

Answer:

This question has to be attempted by yourself. The answers will vary from students to students.

Q11. Find out more about the life and work of any two participants or leaders of the national movement and write a short essay about them. You may choose a person not mentioned in this chapter.

Answer:

One significant figure in the Indian national movement whose contributions are noteworthy is Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Bacha Khan or the Frontier Gandhi. Another important leader is Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, known for her activism in various social and political causes.

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Bacha Khan)

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was born on February 6, 1890, in the village of Utmanzai in the North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan). He was a Pashtun political and spiritual leader who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence and civil disobedience, Bacha Khan founded the Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of God) movement in 1929, also known as the Red Shirts.

Bacha Khan’s movement sought to empower the Pashtun community through education, social reform, and nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule. Despite facing repression and imprisonment by the British authorities, he remained committed to his principles of nonviolence and unity among all communities. He worked closely with Gandhi and the Indian National Congress in advocating for independence and social justice.

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay was born on April 3, 1903, in Mangalore, Karnataka. She was a prominent social reformer, freedom fighter, and feminist who made significant contributions to various aspects of Indian society. Kamaladevi was deeply involved in the Indian independence movement and worked tirelessly for the empowerment of women, promotion of indigenous crafts, and revival of Indian culture.

Kamaladevi played a key role in the Indian National Congress and actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement. She also served as the president of the All-India Women’s Conference (AIWC) and was instrumental in advocating for women’s rights, including the abolition of purdah, child marriage, and the promotion of women’s education.

FAQs on NCERT History Class 8 Solutions for Chapter 8 – The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947

Who were the Moderates in the Indian National Movement?

The Moderates were a faction within the Indian National Congress who advocated for constitutional methods and reforms within the framework of British rule.

What was the goal of the Extremists in the Indian National Movement?

The Extremists aimed for complete independence from British rule and were willing to use more radical tactics to achieve this goal.

What was the significance of the Swadeshi Movement?

The Swadeshi Movement aimed to promote indigenous industries, boycott British goods, and foster self-reliance as a means of opposing British colonialism.

Who were the key leaders of the Non-Cooperation Movement?

Mahatma Gandhi, along with other prominent leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, and Vallabhbhai Patel, played crucial roles in leading the Non-Cooperation Movement.

What led to the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement?

The violent incident at Chauri Chaura in 1922, where protestors clashed with police resulting in casualties, led Gandhi to suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement to prevent further bloodshed.