Mahatma Gandi
Oct. 2 1869 Jan. 30 1948
who is he ?
3 key facts and 1 sentence Summary
« Either we free India or we die. We will not live to see our slavery perpetuated »
Indians protesting in Bangalore
Questions
1. Summarize Gandhi’s experience while in South Africa.
2. What methods did Gandhi use in the struggle for independence from Britain?
3. What is civil disobedience?
4. What was the goal of satyagraha?
5. How did Gandhi unite the various groups in India?
6. Why is the spinning wheel a symbol of India’s struggle for freedom from British rule?
7. Why do you think Gandhi’s followers called him Mahatma?
8. What methods did Gandhi encourage to resist British rule?
9. What happened to Gandhi as a result of the Salt March?
10. Choose four adjectives that best describe Gandhi. Explain why you chose each word.
Mohandas Gandhi and Civil Disobedience
Background: Understanding the Caste System in India
The Aryan Civilization believed in an orderly society divided into varnas, or social classes. Hindu sacred writings explained that a person's varna was based on what best suited him or her. Over time, however, this system began to shape how Indian society was organized. This system was based on the work a person did. It imposed restrictions on what people could do and how they related to each other. It led to the social system known as the caste system.
The caste system divided society into different social groups based on a person’s occupation. There were four original varnas in the caste system: The Brahmans (priests and scholars); the Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors); the Vaisyas (merchants and professionals); and the Sudras (artisans, laborers, and servants). Eventually, an unofficial fifth group was created to include those outside the varna system. These “Untouchables” performed the lowest jobs in Indian society, such as tanning animal skins and collecting garbage. Today, this group prefers to call itself Dalit. The rules of the caste system were very strict. People could not marry out of their caste or even eat with people of a higher caste. It was nearly impossible to move into a different caste. In the last 50 years, however, these rules have become less rigid. India’s constitution now forbids discrimination, or unfair treatment, against members of any caste and many groups have formed to work to end such discrimination.
Mohandas Gandhi’s Influence on Indian Independence from Britain
Mohandas Gandhi came from a middle-class Hindu family and went to England to study law. In 1891, he returned to India but had little success as a lawyer. Gandhi then moved to South Africa to practice law. While there he saw and experienced the injustices suffered by Indians living in South Africa. For 20 years he worked without success to change laws that discriminated against Indians. During the struggle, Gandhi developed ideas about nonviolent action as a way for people with little political power to end injustice.
When he returned to India in 1914, he used this approach in the struggle for independence from Britain.
Gandhi called this method satyagraha, or “truth force.” Gandhi’s ideas were rooted in Hindu beliefs and
in Christian traditions.
From Hinduism, Gandhi absorbed ideas about nonviolence and respect for life. While studying in England, he came to admire the Christian teachings of love, even for one’s enemies. The writings of American philosopher Henry David Thoreau influenced Gandhi as well. Thoreau had practiced civil disobedience, the refusal to obey unjust laws.
Mohandas Gandhi’s Influence on Indian Independence from Britain
To Gandhi, the goal of satyagraha was to “convert the wrongdoer.” He hoped to make the world aware of
British injustice by accepting punishment without striking back. He also hoped to awaken in the British a sense of their own wrongdoing.
Within a few years of returning from South Africa, Gandhi emerged as a key figure in the Indian
struggle for independence. Gandhi united many groups within the nationalist movement. He took the
struggle beyond the Indian National Congress party, which was largely a middle-class organization. He
inspired the common people of India to work for change. In addition, he won the backing of the Indians
who had benefited most from British rule.
Gandhi’s ideas were appealing to Hindus of all classes. He won support by stressing India’s rich
heritage. He gave up western ways and inspired the people of India to return to traditional ways such as
spinning thread to make cloth. He spent time each day spinning and meditating. The spinning wheel
soon became a symbol of India’s struggle for freedom from British rule. He lived simply, dressing in
white cotton garments worn by India’s poor.
Based on the Video and information you just read what connections can you make about Gandhi and the spinning wheel. Provide at least 2 connections.
Gandhi Cont'd
Gandhi’s followers called him Mahatma, or “Great Soul”. Like the Buddha and other reformers, Gandhi
rejected some features of the caste system. He demanded better treatment for untouchables, whom he
called Harijan, or “Children of God”. Gandhi also reached out to Muslims, including them in his campaign
to unite all Indians.
During the early 1920s. Gandhi traveled around India, urging nonviolent resistance to British rule. He
supported strikes and protests. Along with other leaders, he called on Indians to boycott, or stop buying, British-made goods.
In 1930, Gandhi used satyagraha to protest the tax on salt. British laws forbade Indians to make salt.
Indians could only buy salt that was heavily taxed by the British government. In protest, Gandhi led followers on a 200-mile march from his home to the coast. Thousands of people joined the march along the way. At the coast, they broke the law by making salt from sea water. The salt protest spread across India. The British arrested Gandhi and an estimated 50,000 other Indians. Although the government kept its salt tax, the campaign increased world support for Indian nationalists. Throughout the 1930s, the British responded to nonviolent Indian protests with force. In Britain, people began to debate whether their government should hold on to India.
"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes".
Based on this video what do you think Gandhi's legacy is? Why do you feel that his legacy should get carried on today?
Question Analysis
1. Summarize Gandhi’s experience while in South Africa.
2. What methods did Gandhi use in the struggle for independence from Britain?
3. What is civil disobedience?
4. What was the goal of satyagraha?
5. How did Gandhi unite the various groups in India?
6. Why is the spinning wheel a symbol of India’s struggle for freedom from British rule?
7. Why do you think Gandhi’s followers called him Mahatma?
8. What methods did Gandhi encourage to resist British rule?
9. What happened to Gandhi as a result of the Salt March?
10. Choose four adjectives that best describe Gandhi. Explain why you chose each word.
Thank you
GANDHI
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Transcript
Mahatma Gandi
Oct. 2 1869 Jan. 30 1948
who is he ?
3 key facts and 1 sentence Summary
« Either we free India or we die. We will not live to see our slavery perpetuated »
Indians protesting in Bangalore
Questions
1. Summarize Gandhi’s experience while in South Africa. 2. What methods did Gandhi use in the struggle for independence from Britain? 3. What is civil disobedience? 4. What was the goal of satyagraha? 5. How did Gandhi unite the various groups in India? 6. Why is the spinning wheel a symbol of India’s struggle for freedom from British rule? 7. Why do you think Gandhi’s followers called him Mahatma? 8. What methods did Gandhi encourage to resist British rule? 9. What happened to Gandhi as a result of the Salt March? 10. Choose four adjectives that best describe Gandhi. Explain why you chose each word.
Mohandas Gandhi and Civil Disobedience
Background: Understanding the Caste System in India The Aryan Civilization believed in an orderly society divided into varnas, or social classes. Hindu sacred writings explained that a person's varna was based on what best suited him or her. Over time, however, this system began to shape how Indian society was organized. This system was based on the work a person did. It imposed restrictions on what people could do and how they related to each other. It led to the social system known as the caste system. The caste system divided society into different social groups based on a person’s occupation. There were four original varnas in the caste system: The Brahmans (priests and scholars); the Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors); the Vaisyas (merchants and professionals); and the Sudras (artisans, laborers, and servants). Eventually, an unofficial fifth group was created to include those outside the varna system. These “Untouchables” performed the lowest jobs in Indian society, such as tanning animal skins and collecting garbage. Today, this group prefers to call itself Dalit. The rules of the caste system were very strict. People could not marry out of their caste or even eat with people of a higher caste. It was nearly impossible to move into a different caste. In the last 50 years, however, these rules have become less rigid. India’s constitution now forbids discrimination, or unfair treatment, against members of any caste and many groups have formed to work to end such discrimination.
Mohandas Gandhi’s Influence on Indian Independence from Britain
Mohandas Gandhi came from a middle-class Hindu family and went to England to study law. In 1891, he returned to India but had little success as a lawyer. Gandhi then moved to South Africa to practice law. While there he saw and experienced the injustices suffered by Indians living in South Africa. For 20 years he worked without success to change laws that discriminated against Indians. During the struggle, Gandhi developed ideas about nonviolent action as a way for people with little political power to end injustice. When he returned to India in 1914, he used this approach in the struggle for independence from Britain. Gandhi called this method satyagraha, or “truth force.” Gandhi’s ideas were rooted in Hindu beliefs and in Christian traditions. From Hinduism, Gandhi absorbed ideas about nonviolence and respect for life. While studying in England, he came to admire the Christian teachings of love, even for one’s enemies. The writings of American philosopher Henry David Thoreau influenced Gandhi as well. Thoreau had practiced civil disobedience, the refusal to obey unjust laws.
Mohandas Gandhi’s Influence on Indian Independence from Britain
To Gandhi, the goal of satyagraha was to “convert the wrongdoer.” He hoped to make the world aware of British injustice by accepting punishment without striking back. He also hoped to awaken in the British a sense of their own wrongdoing. Within a few years of returning from South Africa, Gandhi emerged as a key figure in the Indian struggle for independence. Gandhi united many groups within the nationalist movement. He took the struggle beyond the Indian National Congress party, which was largely a middle-class organization. He inspired the common people of India to work for change. In addition, he won the backing of the Indians who had benefited most from British rule. Gandhi’s ideas were appealing to Hindus of all classes. He won support by stressing India’s rich heritage. He gave up western ways and inspired the people of India to return to traditional ways such as spinning thread to make cloth. He spent time each day spinning and meditating. The spinning wheel soon became a symbol of India’s struggle for freedom from British rule. He lived simply, dressing in white cotton garments worn by India’s poor.
Based on the Video and information you just read what connections can you make about Gandhi and the spinning wheel. Provide at least 2 connections.
Gandhi Cont'd
Gandhi’s followers called him Mahatma, or “Great Soul”. Like the Buddha and other reformers, Gandhi rejected some features of the caste system. He demanded better treatment for untouchables, whom he called Harijan, or “Children of God”. Gandhi also reached out to Muslims, including them in his campaign to unite all Indians. During the early 1920s. Gandhi traveled around India, urging nonviolent resistance to British rule. He supported strikes and protests. Along with other leaders, he called on Indians to boycott, or stop buying, British-made goods. In 1930, Gandhi used satyagraha to protest the tax on salt. British laws forbade Indians to make salt. Indians could only buy salt that was heavily taxed by the British government. In protest, Gandhi led followers on a 200-mile march from his home to the coast. Thousands of people joined the march along the way. At the coast, they broke the law by making salt from sea water. The salt protest spread across India. The British arrested Gandhi and an estimated 50,000 other Indians. Although the government kept its salt tax, the campaign increased world support for Indian nationalists. Throughout the 1930s, the British responded to nonviolent Indian protests with force. In Britain, people began to debate whether their government should hold on to India.
"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes".
Based on this video what do you think Gandhi's legacy is? Why do you feel that his legacy should get carried on today?
Question Analysis
1. Summarize Gandhi’s experience while in South Africa. 2. What methods did Gandhi use in the struggle for independence from Britain? 3. What is civil disobedience? 4. What was the goal of satyagraha? 5. How did Gandhi unite the various groups in India? 6. Why is the spinning wheel a symbol of India’s struggle for freedom from British rule? 7. Why do you think Gandhi’s followers called him Mahatma? 8. What methods did Gandhi encourage to resist British rule? 9. What happened to Gandhi as a result of the Salt March? 10. Choose four adjectives that best describe Gandhi. Explain why you chose each word.
Thank you