Communist Influence in Trade Unions: 1928

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Questions and Answers

What was one significant outcome of the Communist influence in the Trade Union Movement by the end of 1928?

Increase in membership to 54,000 (correct)

The formation of the Girni Kamgar Union

The reduction of worker strikes

The dissolution of the Red Trade Union

What was a primary aim of the First Factory Act of 1881?

Increase working hours for women

Weaken the Trade Union Movement

Limit child employment and working hours (correct)

Enhance profits for factory owners

Which industries were notably influenced by Communist participation during the strikes and demonstrations between 1927 and 1929?

Textile and railway industries (correct)

Automobile and electronics

Mining and construction

Agricultural and forestry

What was the primary concern of the British government regarding the Indian textile industry in the late 19th century?

Competition from cheap Indian labor Signup and view all the answers

How did the government respond to the activities of the Trade Union Movement under Communist influence?

Through repressive policies and arrests Signup and view all the answers

What was a common misconception regarding the labor reforms introduced by the British in India?

They were designed to benefit Indian workers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the conditions for laborers in tea plantations under British rule?

They faced harsh conditions with little corrective measures Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Royal Commission on Labour (Whitley Commission, 1929)?

To weaken and divide the Trade Union Movement Signup and view all the answers

What was a major characteristic of the Kisans or peasants in the twentieth century compared to their predecessors?

They were more class-conscious and organized. Signup and view all the answers

Which movements did the workers actively participate in during the Quit India Movement of 1942?

Strikes and hartals in multiple cities. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the rise of the Oudh Kisan Movement?

Excessive rent and arbitrary ejections by landlords. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT one of the activities associated with the workers during the Nationalist Movement?

Forming the all-India peasant platform. Signup and view all the answers

What type of leadership did the workers have during their participation in movements led by Gandhi?

Strong leadership from Gandhi. Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of the workers to the call given by the Communists and the Socialists on February 22, 1946?

Two to three lakh workers went on strike. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the peasants become actively involved in the Nationalist Movement during the twentieth century?

They learned mobilization strategies from Nationalist leaders. Signup and view all the answers

Which movement is associated with the ongoing struggles of cultivators in modern day Eastern and Central U.P.?

Oudh Kisan Movement. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main demand of the peasants during the Bardoli Satyagraha?

Appointment of an independent tribunal against the revised assessment Signup and view all the answers

Which notable figure received the title of 'Sardar' from the women of Bardoli?

Vallabh Bhai Patel Signup and view all the answers

Which organization was formed by peasant leaders in Lucknow in 1936?

All-India Kisan Sabha Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the major agendas of the All-India Kisan Sabha?

Distribution of government land among landless peasants Signup and view all the answers

What was the Bakasht system related to?

Rent collection by zamindars from cultivators Signup and view all the answers

Who emerged as the real peasant leader during the Kisan Sabha movement?

Baba Ram Chandra Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the demands put forward by the Kisan Sabha to the peasants?

To refuse to work until eviction from lands was halted Signup and view all the answers

What sparked the serious riots in May 1946 between peasants and zamindars?

Dispute over Bakasht Kar Signup and view all the answers

When was the Oudh Kisan Sabha formed?

October 17, 1920 Signup and view all the answers

Which movement was linked with the peasant movement in Rae Bareilly, Faizabad, and Sultanpur?

Non-Cooperation Movement Signup and view all the answers

What demand did share-croppers make during the Tebhaga Movement?

To reduce the Zamindar's share to one-third. Signup and view all the answers

What significant achievement is associated with Vallabh Bhai Patel in 1928?

Leading the Bardoli Satyagraha. Signup and view all the answers

What system was abolished by the Government in 1948?

Zamindari system Signup and view all the answers

Which movement was led by Madari Pasi?

Eka movement Signup and view all the answers

What significant legislation was passed in response to the pressure from the peasant movements?

Oudh Rent (Amendment) Act Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first Secretary of the All-India Kisan Sabha?

N.G. Ranga Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of Shahajanand Saraswati's Agricultural Reform programme?

To eradicate the Zamindari system. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main characteristic of the demands made by the peasants during their movements?

They protested solely against exploitation without seeking structural changes. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant action taken by the peasants in response to their exploitation?

Looted granaries and clashed with the police Signup and view all the answers

Who was the notable figure who joined the Kisan Sabha movement and met with the peasants?

Jawaharlal Nehru Signup and view all the answers

In which year was the All India Kisan Congress renamed to All India Kisan Sabha?

1936 Signup and view all the answers

What was a major complaint of farmers during the Eka movement?

Increment in rent and revenue collection in produce. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the founder of Kisan Sabha of Bihar?

Shahajanand Saraswati Signup and view all the answers

What motivated Ramchandra Reddy to donate land during the Bhoodan Movement?

To address issues faced by landless laborers. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Trade Union Movement and Communist Influence

The Communist-led Red Trade Union significantly influenced the Indian Trade Union Movement by 1928, with the Girni Kamgar Union's membership reaching 54,000.
Communist influence grew particularly in Bengal and Bombay, extending to railway workers, jute mills, and municipalities.
Strikes and demonstrations occurred across India from 1927 to 1929, reflecting workers' resistance against government policies regarding labor rights.
The Indian textile industry posed a threat to Lancashire textile capitalists, prompting the British to implement the first commission on worker conditions in 1875.
The First Factory Act (1881) prohibited employing children under seven and limited working hours for those under twelve; subsequent reforms often served British interests rather than improving worker conditions.
The British government adopted repressive measures (e.g., Trade Disputes Act, Public Safety Act) to curb Trade Union Movement activities and to undermine leftist influence.
The Whitley Commission (1929) aimed to fragment the Trade Union Movement from within.
Nationalist involvement in labor movements included both support and opposition, with early Nationalist newspapers often criticizing Factory Acts and strikes.

Peasant Movements

Twentieth-century peasants (Kisans) were more organized and class-conscious, actively participating in nationalist movements guided by prominent leaders like Gandhi.
Key peasant movements leading up to independence included the Oudh Kisan Movement, Moplah Movement, Bardoli Satyagraha, Telangana Movement, and Bakasht Movement.

Oudh Kisan Movement

Poor conditions for farmers in Oudh stemmed from exploitation by Taluqedars (landlords), with grievances including arbitrary ejections and exorbitant rents.
The U.P. Kisan Sabha formed in February 1918, led by figures like Baba Ram Chandra, sought to address these injustices.
The Oudh Kisan Sabha merged with U.P. Kisan Sabha; demands included halting ejections, ending free labor practices (begar), and establishing panchayats.
Violence erupted during protests, leading to clashes with police and fatalities in 1921.
The Oudh Rent (Amendment) Act (1922) was a minor victory for the peasants amidst ongoing struggles.

Moplah Uprising (1921)

The Moplah Uprising involved Muslim leaseholders in South Malabar organizing against revised land assessments.
Leaders mobilized peasants through grassroots campaigns, including oaths against paying land revenue.
A strong sense of community solidarity emerged, with boycotts enforced against tax-paying parties.

Bardoli Satyagraha (1928)

Vallabh Bhai Patel emerged as a key leader, successfully organizing protests against increased land revenue.
The movement strengthened the role of women in activism, earning Patel the title "Sardar."

All-India Kisan Sabha and Bakasht Movement

The All-India Kisan Sabha was founded in 1936 to advocate for peasant rights, focusing on ending zamindari and redistributing land.
The Bakasht Movement in 1946-47 resulted in riots between peasants and zamindars over evictions and exorbitant rents.
The zamindari system was abolished in 1948, providing late relief to peasants.

Influence of Key Figures

Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was pivotal in forming the Kisan Sabha in Bihar and focused on eliminating the zamindari system.
The Eka Movement (1921-22) targeted unfair rent increases, with participants emphasizing cash collection over produce due to inflation.
The Tebhaga Movement (1946) sought to reduce zamindar shares from half to one-third, centralizing efforts in North Bengal.

Bhoodan Movement (1951-57)

Initiated by Vinoba Bhave, the Bhoodan Movement aimed to collect land for redistribution to landless laborers, illustrating grassroots activism well into the post-independence era.

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Description

Explore the rise of the Communist influence in the Trade Union movement, particularly focusing on the Girni Kamgar Union led by Deshpande. This quiz covers key events and figures leading up to 1928, highlighting the popularity and membership growth in the unions. Test your knowledge on this significant period in history.