In 1929, the world was caught in the grips of significant political turbulence and upheaval. This pivotal year marked the onset of the Great Depression, a catastrophic economic downturn that profoundly shaped global politics and societies. Across continents, governments grappled with the daunting task of addressing rampant unemployment, poverty, and financial instability. In the United States, President Herbert Hoover faced mounting pressure as his administration struggled to contain the economic fallout from the stock market crash of October 1929. Meanwhile, in Europe, the aftermath of World War I continued to reverberate, with rising nationalism, territorial disputes, and ideological conflicts laying the groundwork for future geopolitical tensions. Against this backdrop of uncertainty and discontent, political movements and ideologies clashed, setting the stage for a tumultuous era defined by struggle, resilience, and the search for solutions amidst unprecedented challenges.
Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences
The Calcutta session of the Congress in December 1928 marked a significant turning point in the Indian nationalist movement. Here’s a summary of the key events leading up to the Civil Disobedience Movement:
- Nehru Report: At the Calcutta session, the Nehru Report, authored by Motilal Nehru, was approved by the Congress. However, younger leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Bose, and Satyamurthy expressed dissatisfaction with the report’s endorsement of dominion status. They demanded that the Congress adopt “purna swaraj” or complete independence as its goal.
- Diverging Views: While older leaders like Gandhi and Motilal Nehru were cautious about dropping the demand for dominion status, younger leaders were more radical in their approach. They believed that complete independence should be the immediate goal, without compromising with the British on dominion status.
- Grace Period: Initially, there was a proposal to give the government a two-year grace period to accept the demand for dominion status. However, under pressure from younger leaders, this period was reduced to one year.
- Ultimatum: The Congress decided that if the British government did not accept a constitution based on dominion status by the end of the specified period, the Congress would shift its demand to complete independence. Furthermore, if this demand was not met, the Congress would launch a civil disobedience movement to achieve its goal.
This decision set the stage for the Civil Disobedience Movement, which would become one of the most significant phases of the Indian independence struggle.
The year 1929 was marked by significant political activity in India:
- Gandhi’s Travel and Preparations: Gandhi travelled extensively throughout the year, mobilizing people for direct political action. He urged the youth to prepare for nonviolent resistance and organized constructive work in villages to address grievances, following the model of the successful Bardoli agitation in 1928.
- Foreign Cloth Boycott Campaign: The Congress Working Committee (CWC) established a Foreign Cloth Boycott Committee to promote the aggressive boycott of foreign cloth. Gandhi initiated the campaign in March 1929 in Calcutta, leading to his arrest. Subsequently, there were widespread bonfires of foreign cloth across the country as a form of protest.
- Meerut Conspiracy Case: In March 1929, the Meerut Conspiracy Case heightened political tensions. Several communist leaders, trade unionists, and left-wing activists were arrested and tried for allegedly plotting against the British government.
- Bomb Explosion in Central Legislative Assembly: In April 1929, Bhagat Singh and B.K. Dutt, members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, exploded a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi to protest against repressive British laws. This act of defiance captured national attention and further intensified the political climate.
- Change in British Government: In May 1929, a minority Labour government led by Ramsay MacDonald came to power in England. This change in leadership included Wedgewood Benn as the Secretary of State for India, signaling potential shifts in British colonial policy.
These events contributed to a charged political atmosphere in India, setting the stage for significant developments in the struggle for independence in the years to come.
FAQs
Q1: What were the main political parties in power during 1929?
A1: The main political parties in power during 1929 varied by country. For instance, in the United States, the Republican Party held power with President Herbert Hoover in office, while in the United Kingdom, the Labour Party, led by Ramsay MacDonald, was in government.
Q2: How did the Great Depression impact political activity in 1929?
A2: The Great Depression, which began with the Wall Street Crash of 1929, profoundly affected political activity worldwide. It led to widespread unemployment, economic hardship, and social unrest, prompting governments to adopt various policies in response, ranging from increased interventionism to austerity measures.
Q3: What were some significant political events or movements during 1929?
A3: In 1929, significant political events included the collapse of the global economy with the Wall Street Crash, leading to the onset of the Great Depression. Additionally, movements such as the rise of fascism in Europe, exemplified by Mussolini’s consolidation of power in Italy, and the early stages of the Chinese Civil War between the Nationalists and Communists, shaped the political landscape.
Q4: How did governments respond to the economic challenges of 1929?
A4: Governments responded to the economic challenges of 1929 in various ways. Some implemented protectionist measures to shield domestic industries, while others pursued Keynesian economic policies aimed at stimulating demand through government spending. Additionally, there were instances of authoritarian regimes exploiting economic crises to consolidate power.
Q5: Were there any notable political leaders who emerged during 1929?
A5: While 1929 didn’t necessarily mark the emergence of new political leaders, it was a pivotal year for existing ones. Herbert Hoover, for instance, assumed the presidency in the United States, facing the daunting task of managing the country through the Great Depression. Similarly, figures like Ramsay MacDonald in the UK and Benito Mussolini in Italy continued to exert significant influence on the global stage.
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