Social Movements | Class 12 Sociology Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read
Social Movements – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Social Movements from Class 12 Sociology, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
Frequently asked questions
Which of the following is NOT an important right won through social movements as mentioned in the chapter?
The right to free university education for all
Assertion (A): Universal adult franchise means that every adult has the right to vote. Reason (R): Universal adult franchise was a radical departure from colonial rule where ordinary people had no say in governance.
A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
What was the main demand of the Chartism movement in 19th century England?
The Chartism movement demanded universal male suffrage, voting by ballot, and the right to stand for elections without owning property.
Explain how social movements can inspire other social movements, giving one example from the chapter.
Social movements inspire other movements by showing that change is possible and by providing ideas, strategies, and motivation. For example, the Indian national movement inspired the making of the Indian Constitution, which in turn facilitated further social changes and movements.
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Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Social Movements for Class 12 Sociology.
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Social Change and Development in India
Social movements have played a crucial role in shaping the rights and conditions that many people enjoy today, such as the eight-hour workday, equal pay for men and women, social security, and pensions. These rights are not naturally occurring but are the result of long struggles by workers and social activists worldwide. The right to vote, or universal adult franchise, is a prime example of such a right achieved through social movements. Historically, voting rights were limited to property-owning men, and women were excluded. Movements like Chartism in 19th century England demanded universal male suffrage and other democratic rights, collecting millions of signatures. However, it was only after World War I that broader voting rights were granted, and the suffragette movement for women's voting rights faced violent opposition.
In India, social reform movements in the 19th century fought against caste and gender discrimination, while nationalist movements fought colonial rule. Globally, movements such as the civil rights movement in the USA and the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa have fundamentally changed societies. Social movements not only bring about social change but also inspire other movements, as seen in how the Indian national movement influenced the making of the Indian Constitution, which in turn facilitated further social change.
The chapter encourages students to reflect on the rights they take for granted compared to previous generations, emphasizing that these rights are outcomes of persistent social struggles. It also introduces the idea that social movements require sustained collective action and organization, distinguishing them from spontaneous protests.
📊 Diagram: Figure 1: Fourth session of the All-India Women's Conference (AIWC), Bombay, 1930; Figure 2: Title page image for Chapter 8 Social Movements; Figure 3: Social Change and Development in India
🧪 Activity: Activity 8.1: Compare your life with your grandmother's. Discuss the rights you take for granted that she did not have.
🔗 Connection: This section sets the foundation for understanding social movements by highlighting their role in social change, leading into the detailed features and types of social movements discussed next.