Question

How did Moderates differ from the Assertive Nationalists in realizing their objectives?

Answer 1

(i) The Moderates wanted to achieve self-government. They did not aim for total independence. They demanded certain reforms and concessions from British government because they wanted to develop India under the guidance of benevolent British rule. On the other hand, Extremists wanted Swaraj i.e., complete independence.
(ii) Moderates were loyal to British rule and English crown. They considered British rule a gift for India. The Extremists were not loyal to British rule and they considered it as a curse and wanted to uproot it from India.
(iii) The moderates believed in adopting constitutional and peaceful methods to achieve their objective. They had full faith in the British sense of justice. Extremists believed in non-co-operation and adopted the method of boycott against foreign goods and propagation of swadeshi and national education. They believed in Indian culture, civilisation, religion and tradition whereas Moderates believed in British culture.
(iv) Moderates believed that Indians were not fit to rule. Under the moderates, the national movement was not a popular movement, it had no connection with the people. While under extremists, people felt connected.