In the first twenty years of its existence, the Congress was “moderate” in its objectives and methods or we can say that “Moderates” were the leaders of the Congress who presented their demands to the British in a moderate way and they wanted gradual reforms. They aimed at better and friendly association with the British. They proposed to struggle against British rule in non-violent manner which the radicals called “politics of petitions”. The moderates included leaders like Surendranath Banerjee, Pherozeshah Mehta and Gopal Krishna Gokhle.

Proposed methods to struggle against the British government:

a. The demands were presented to the British through petitions, meetings, speeches and resolutions.

b. They published newspapers, wrote articles and showed how the British rule was leading to the economic ruin of the country.

c. Their whole attitude was of reconciliation and not confrontation.

d. They would do nothing which would offend the British rulers.