The Non-cooperation Movement was launched on 4 September, 1920 by Mahatma Gandhi with the objective of securing complete independence for India from the British.
The Rowlatt Act of 18 March, 1919 and the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 13 April, 1919, played a crucial role in the development of this Movement. The oppressive policies of the Rowlatt Act after World War I came as a rude shock to many, as India had contributed in blood and money towards the war and some reward in the form of greater autonomy had been hoped for. Instead of this, the Rowlatt Act clamped down on the freedom of Indians.
Similarly, the brutal killing of hundreds of innocent people at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar was a wake-up call for the wavering Indian elite and moderate factions of the Congress. The British government lost all credibility in the sight of the Indians. Gandhiji firmly resolved that nothing short of complete independence from the British would do.
The aim of the Non-cooperation Movement was to suspend any activity that helped the British government in India. It aimed at challenging the power structure of the British Raj and ultimately gaining complete independence for India.
The Movement consisted of withdrawing all labour from any activity that helped the British economy in India. It was taken up by every section of society and was a massive success. People gave up government jobs, withdrew from government-aided schools and refused to buy goods imported from Britain. Even the visit of the Prince of Wales to India in 1921 was largely ignored by the public, which was a hurtful snub for the British.
The movement continued till February 1922, when a crowd set fire to a police station and burnt to death 22 policemen at Chauri Chaura in Bihar. Gandhiji was deeply grieved over this violence and withdrew the Non-cooperation Movement. There were many, including Motilal Nehru, who were unhappy with this decision.
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