Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Congress reorganised, 1922–30: membership and organisation; political…
Full specification wording
Changing political relationships, 1920–30: Congress reorganised, 1922–30: membership and organisation; political participation and ‘back to basics’; the ‘young hooligans’; the Nehru Report; the Lahore Congress and purna swaraj; the salt satyagraha and consequences of civil disobedience.
After 1922, Congress reorganised: membership expanded, provincial committees strengthened, and a permanent organisation built.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
After 1922, Congress reorganised: membership expanded, provincial committees strengthened, and a permanent organisation built. ‘Back to basics’ meant Gandhi's constructive programme, focusing on hand-spinning (khadi), untouchability, and village self-reliance, while the Swaraj Party pursued political participation via council entry. The ‘young hooligans’ like Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru pushed for complete independence. The Nehru Report (1928) proposed dominion status, but the Lahore Congress (1929) adopted purna swaraj (complete independence). The salt satyagraha (1930) challenged the British salt tax, sparking mass civil disobedience. Consequences included mass arrests, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, and the Round Table Conferences.
What earns the marks
- Describes changes in Congress membership and organisation, including provincial committees and mass membership.
- Explains ‘back to basics’ as Gandhi's constructive programme (e.g., spinning, untouchability) and contrasts it with political participation via council entry.
- Identifies the ‘young hooligans’ and their push for purna swaraj.
- Outlines the Nehru Report’s proposals and the Lahore Congress’s adoption of purna swaraj.
- Explains the salt satyagraha and assesses its consequences for civil disobedience.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the Nehru Report (1928) with the Lahore Congress (1929).
Put it right: The Nehru Report proposed dominion status; Lahore adopted purna swaraj.
Stating that the salt satyagraha achieved immediate independence.
Put it right: It led to negotiations and concessions, not independence.
Claiming ‘back to basics’ meant council entry.
Put it right: It meant Gandhi's constructive programme, whereas council entry was the Swaraj Party's strategy for political participation.
Exam tips
- Use precise dates and names to show detailed knowledge.
- Link the salt satyagraha to its consequences, such as the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
Try the lesson
The start of the Changing political relationships, 1920–30: Congress reorganised, 1922–30: membership and organisation; political participation and ‘back to basics’; the ‘young hooligans’; the Nehru Report; the Lahore Congress and purna swaraj; the salt satyagraha and consequences of civil disobedience. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What did the Lahore Congress of 1929 declare as its goal for India?
Listen
After 1922, Congress reorganised: membership expanded, provincial committees strengthened, and a permanent organisation built. Back to basics’ meant Gandhi's constructive programme, focusing on hand-spinning (khadi), untouchability, and village self-reliance, while the Swaraj Party pursued political participation via council entry. The ‘young hooligans’ like Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru pushed for complete independence. The Nehru Report (1928) proposed dominion status, but the Lahore Congress (1929) adopted purna swaraj (complete independence). The salt satyagraha (1930) challenged the British salt tax, sparking mass civil disobedience. Consequences included mass arrests, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, and the Round Table Conferences. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Describes changes in Congress membership and organisation, including provincial committees and mass membership. Explains ‘back to basics’ as Gandhi's constructive programme (e.g., spinning, untouchability) and contrasts it with political participation via council entry. Identifies the ‘young hooligans’ and their push for purna swaraj. Outlines the Nehru Report’s proposals and the Lahore Congress’s adoption of purna swaraj. A common slip: confusing the Nehru Report (1928) with the Lahore Congress (1929). Instead, the Nehru Report proposed dominion status; Lahore adopted purna swaraj. Exam tip: Use precise dates and names to show detailed knowledge.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Organisation and mass politics
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Generational conflict
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Constitutional versus extra-constitutional action
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Repression and negotiation
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See every definition
- Organisation and mass politics
- After 1922 Congress reorganised by expanding membership, strengthening provincial committees and building a permanent organisation, while the Swaraj Party pursued political participation through council entry.
- Generational conflict
- The ‘young hooligans’, including Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru, pushed for complete independence, which the Lahore Congress adopted as purna swaraj.
- Constitutional versus extra-constitutional action
- The Nehru Report proposed dominion status, whereas the salt satyagraha challenged the British salt tax and sparked mass civil disobedience.
- Repression and negotiation
- Consequences of civil disobedience included mass arrests, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact and the Round Table Conferences.
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