121 likes | 183 Views
Learn about Mohandas K. Gandhi, his life, philosophy, campaigns for Indian independence, and impactful legacy. Discover how he inspired non-violent resistance and influenced leaders worldwide. Complete an assignment depicting life in British-ruled India and Gandhi's vision for the country.
E N D
Gandhi “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Vital Stats • Mohandas K. Gandhi • Born in 1869 into the vaishya (business) caste • Entered an arranged marriage at the age of 13 • Went to university in both India and England to become a lawyer
South Africa 1893-1914 • Began career in South Africa • Was politically indifferent and suffered terrible “stage fright” • Experienced discrimination by the white South African government • Beaten for refusing to give up space on a stagecoach for a European • Founded the Natal Indian Congress in 1894 to fight racial discrimination in South Africa • Used satyagraha (non-violence) to compel the South African government to protect some rights for Indians
Philosophy • Ahimsa: non-violence • Satyagraha: “devotion to the truth” or non-violent protest • Simplicity • Dress, food, etc. "There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for".
Champaran Agitation 1918 • In this district, Indians lived in extreme poverty as farmers on British owned land • During a famine in 1918, the British increased taxes on the farmers • Gandhi publicized the situation and organized the civil resistance of tens of thousands Indian farmers • When the British tried to expel him from the region, hundreds of thousands protested and the British negotiated new rights for the farmers
Champaran Continued • Following his success in Champaran, Gandhi became a national hero • People began calling him: • Mahatma (Great Soul) • Bapu (Father)
Campaigns • Indian independence • Elimination of poverty • Abolition of the caste system • Unity and peace between Hindus and Muslims
Defining Moments • Amritsar Massacre 1919 • Salt March 1930 • Quit India Movement 1942 • The Indian National Congress refused to support the British war effort for democracy unless India was given self-rule • At the end of WWII, the British granted India independence
Legacy • Assassinated in 1948 • Influenced others to undertake non-violent struggle, including: • The Dalai Lama, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, Aung San Suu Kyi, Lech Walesa, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela "Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood." – Albert Einstein
Your Assignment (10 pts) • Using a piece of computer paper and other available classroom materials, carry out the following: • Divide the paper in half • Label one half “India Under British Rule” and depict life in India under British rule • Label the other half “Gandhi’s India” and depict life in India as Gandhi imagined it could be • Create a drawing that depicts both • Somewhere on the page, select and write a quote by Gandhi that reflects some part of your drawing • Your final product should contain no spelling errors, be in color and be extremely neat!