By Roni Repp

Gandhi vs. MandelaTwo Extraordinary Men

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma

Gandhi, was born in Porbandar , present day state of Gujarat, in India on October 2, 1869 and was assassinated on January 30, 1948, by an extreme Hindu.

He took on leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921 where he led nationwide campaigns to lessen poverty, increase the rights of women, build religious and ethnic harmony, and to end “untouchability”, and improve financial self-sufficiency and independence.

Attended law school Was located in South Africa, where he experienced racism

at it’s fullest, starting in 1893 and stayed for 21 yrs. Gandhi helped to free the Indian people from British rule

and establish truth in a non-violent resistance or known as satyagraha, which helped India to gain independence and was an inspiration for civil rights movements and freedom around the world.

Many of Gandhi’s decisions and actions were based on his religious views, which were different than most.

Satyagraha Satyagraha is a way of life and

practice of nonviolent conflict developed by Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi began Satyagraha in the Indian Independence movement and also during his earlier struggles in South Africa.

Satyagraha practice influenced Nelson Madela’s resistance in South Africa under apartheid, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s campaigns during the civil rights movement in the US.

Nelson Mandela circa 1937

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Mandela was born in a village near Umtata in the

Transkei on the 18 July 1918. Started out as a leader of an underground political

movement called the African National Congress (ANC).

His career in the ANC was cut short in 1964 when he was sentenced to life in prison. He served 27 yrs of that sentence.

He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his contribution to peace.

President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He not only was the first black man elected president of South Africa, but was the first South African president to be elected in a completely democratic election.

Thanks to the self-sacrifice of Nelson Mandela, apartheid has been outlawed.

Everyone in South Africa now has an equal opportunity at home and at work to live comfortable, productive lives. Nelson Mandela is one of the world's true freedom fighters, and his life and triumphs will be remembered.

Resources• The book “Gandhi A Very Short Story by Bhikhu Parekh• The book “Nelson Mandela A Very Short Introduction by Elleke

Boehmer• http://bing.com• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela• http://www.bing.com/reference/semhtml/?

title=Nelson_Mandela&src=abop&qpvt=mandela&fwd=1&q=mandela

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi• http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Gandhi