Mohandas Gandhi
Gandhi is often referred to as the father of his country because as a great soul, he led his fellow Hindu believers to an anti-violent society. His extremely influential beliefs helped achieve a certain peace haven throughout his kingdom. Growing up, Gandhi strived to become a lawyer in a law firm but once he experienced the appalling mistreatment of Indian immigrants he was determined to improve basic immigration rights for his people. His experience in South Africa for 20 years, and spending time in a South African jail, only fed his flame for a nonviolent society even further. It was in the prison that he created his concept of Satyagraha, a non-violent way of protesting against injustices. Satyagraha was a forceful and focused nonviolent protest to a particular injustice. The use of resistance was used in the face of unjust law. In doing so, anger would not be present. Through mass protests, Gandhi was able to fight without fighting, giving him the ability to socially control how his people deserve to be treated. Besides his drive for peace in his nation, he created a simplified life for his people. Simplifying ones life can be controlled through the reduction of possessions and refraining from lavish indulgences. Some may relate this lifestyle to that of the impoverished, but Gandhi saw this as a voluntary living choice and an opportunity to increase quality time with less stress. His new found lifestyle religiously lifted him from societies materialism, making him into an even greater leader. On May 22, 1894, Gandhi established the Natal Indian Congress. There he began to expand the organizations membership to all castes and classes. Once he was done enlightening South Africa, he traveled to India. It was during his first year back in India that he was given the honorary title of Mahatma ("Great Soul"). Indian independence took extensive labor to achieve, and after the success of the Salt March, Gandhi conducted another fast which only enhanced his resemblance as a holy man or prophet. Gandhi's fasting was crippling him, forcing both the British and India to agree on a peace plan that not everyone agreed upon. Having survived five other assassination attempts, unfortunately Gandhi didn't expect another attempt on his afternoon stroll. Nathuram Godse assassinated Gandhi on January 30, 1948, with a semi-automatic pistol and the 78-year-old Gandhi died a hero. Mohandas Gandhi is believed to be a descendant from the heavens, born to clarify the meaning of life through his support to remove violent injustices.
MARCH 11, 1930
MY DEAR JAWAHARLAL, It is nearing 10 p.m. now. The air is thick with the rumour that I shall be arrested during the night. I have not wired to you especially because the correspondents submit their messages for approval and everybody is working at top speed. There was nothing special to wire about. Things are developing extraordinarily well. Offers of volunteers are pouring in. The column will proceed with the march even though I may be arrested. If I am not, you may expect wires from me, otherwise I am leaving instructions. I do not know that I have anything in particular to say. I have written enough. I gave a final message this evening to a vast crowd that gathered for prayer on the sands. May God keep you and give you strength to bear the burden. With love to you all, Bapu (This is a letter Gandhi has written to the future Prime Minister of India, signing as Bapu. This letter exemplifies Gandhi's reassuring peace of mind in the face of adversity.) Civil DisobedianceThrough civil disobedience, Gandhi was able to create a movement for necessary change. He declared resistance to the British by unifying his campaign of Satyagraha, or mass civil disobedience. Although the threat of arrest hung over Gandhi, peacefull jailtime often proved Gandhi's point further, gaining him respect. Gandhi protested Britain's monopoly on salt peacefully, which eventually led to an agreement on both sides, proving that passive disobedience an effective alternitive to violence.
Section Review: (1) Compare and Contrast The Salt March to China's May 4th March. (Make sure to include, the effectiveness of each method and which march you believe proved a better point.) |
The Salt MarchThe British government enacted a tax on salt sold in India. Since salt is used in everyday living, the people were enraged at the increase in price. Gandhi instilled a spirit to fight for independence through a nonviolent protest against that tax; marching his people through a momentous endeavor of creating Indian made salt. His march to the sea coast to make salt was illegal under British Rule, making the British enraged enough to spark mass arrests of the illegal salt makers. When Gandhi announced that he planned a march on the government-owned Dharasana Saltworks, the British arrested Gandhi and imprisoned him without trial. Although the British had hoped that Gandhi's arrest would stop the march, they had underestimated his followers. The poet Mrs. Sarojini Naidu took over and led the 2,500 marchers. The group reached British officials who brutally murdered the peacefull marchers, appalling the world. Realizing action must be taken, Lord Irwin, met with Gandhi and developed the Delhi Pact. This pact offered freedom to the imprisoned marchers and limited salt production. Gandhi viewed this march as a step closer to Indian Freedom and the world finally realized the influence nonviolent protests have.
Indian Nationalism The British rule over India continued to treat Indian natives as second class in their own country. By the late 1800's, many Indians began to question the intentions of the British. The formation of the Indian National Congress motivated natives to demand for independence from British rule. The strong rise of nationalist feelings was due to the modernization of western ideas India developed and it wasn't long before the groups wanted to self-govern. Two major groups developed. The Indian National Congress remained dominant in the push to exterminate British rule away from the Hindus. The new Muslim League began to focus on specific concerns for the Muslim minority living in India. Not only were Indians struggling to get away from British rule, but they were also struggling internally due to tensions between Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi was able to alleviate the tensions by uniting the groups against the British through unviolent protests.
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