Gandhi

Gandhi and the Case for Indian Independence

• Quote: "Be the change you want to see..."

• Celebrated Gandhi Jayanti in remembrance of Gandhi's contributions.

Early Life

• Born on October 2, 1869.

• Often referred to as Mahatma Gandhi; "Mahatma" translates to "Great Soul."

Discovering His Purpose

• Studied law in London.

• Practiced law in South Africa, where he faced discrimination.

• Notable incident: Refused a first-class seat on a train, highlighting racial injustice.

• Discriminatory laws targeted Indians in South Africa, requiring non-whites to carry ID cards.

• Gandhi led a protest to burn ID cards in defiance of these laws.

Civil Disobedience and Return to India

• Civil Disobedience: A movement characterized by non-violent, peaceful non-cooperation.

• Notable term: Satyagraha - a philosophy of non-violent resistance.

Amritsar Massacre

• A pivotal moment in Gandhi's life: British troops killed over 400 unarmed individuals during a peaceful gathering.

• Gandhi was horrified at the loss of innocent lives, which galvanized public sentiment against British rule.

Non-Violent Protests

• Gandhi sought equal rights and often faced arrest, fueled activism despite setbacks.

• Ahimsa: A core principle meaning reverence for life.

Children of God

• Advocated for equal rights, especially for the untouchables, whom he referred to as Harijans, meaning "children of God."

• Worked to abolish the laws of untouchability.

Protesting the British: Khadi

• Promoted khadi (homespun cloth) to foster self-reliance and revive Indian culture.

• The spinning wheel became a symbol of his movement for independence.

Protesting the British: Boycotts and Non-Cooperation

• Encouraged boycotting British products.

• Involved women actively in the freedom movement.

• Use of fasting as a method of protest against British oppression.

Salt March

• Contest against British taxation on salt; Gandhi led a march spanning 240 miles in 24 days.

• Encouragement for locals to produce their own salt from ocean water.

• The march represented a significant organized challenge to British authority.

Path to Independence

• Britain hesitated on independence discussions as the war weakened their position.

• India’s refusal to support Britain without concessions led to negotiations.

• Indian Independence Act of 1947 formalized the transition.

The Partition

• Lord Mountbatten's role as the last Viceroy to facilitate independence; recommended splitting India into two nations—India (predominantly Hindu) and Pakistan (predominantly Muslim).

The Consequences of Partition

• Migration crisis: Approximately 10-15 million people displaced, escalating violence between communities.

• Poor planning led to chaos: ethnic clashes, looting, and massacres resulted in 1-2 million deaths and widespread displacement.

Gandhi’s Response to Violence

• Gandhi fasted for 21 days in an effort to promote unity between Hindus and Muslims amidst riots.

Late Life and Legacy

• Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist.

• Godse disagreed with Gandhi's views on religious tolerance and his efforts for peace.

• Gandhi's legacy stems from achieving Indian independence through peaceful protest and civil disobedience.

Document Analysis

• Review primary documents related to partition and answer regarding the significant consequences of British decisions on India's future.

• Complete all sections of the handout, including TEA (Topic, Evidence, Analysis).