Introduction Unlike many of the great figures of the 20th
century. Mahatma Gandhi never held high office. Yet his power to
control the actions of millions was immense. He believed
passionately in the injustice of British colonial rule in India.
But he believed equally firmly that Indian independence had to be
gained by non-violent means.
Slide 3
Violence 'I object to violence because when it appears to do
good, the good is only temporary: the evil is permanent.'
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Background Gandhi's 20s and 30s were spent working as a
barrister in South Africa, where he fought 'non violently' against
racial prejudice. At 45. he returned to India. Believing that
Britain's power over India was symbolised by the huge imports of
British cloth, he refused to wear bought clothing. He spent part of
every day spinning and wove simple cloth called khadi. Both the
khadi and the spinning wheel became, to Gandhi's followers, symbols
of Indian self-sufficiency and independence. The spinning wheel was
later used in the design of the Indian flag
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Actions & Reactions: 1919 Hartal The First World War saw
hundreds of thousands of Indians fight for Britain. In return for
this service Indians hoped for a greater say in running their own
affairs. This was not to be. Britain actually increased the
restrictions in 1919. Gandhi felt betrayed by Britain's action. He
called a general strike - throughout India for one day. On the day,
300 million people brought India to a standstill by praying and
fasting. Against Gandhi's wishes, violence broke out in some
areas.
Slide 6
British Reaction: 1919 Amritsar massacre British fears of a
general revolt in the Punjab led to arrests of Indian politicians
in Amritsar, one of the main cities in northern India. Indians
protested and the authorities called for army reinforcements, led
by General Dyer. Dyer ordered his men to open fire on a large crowd
of unarmed Indians attending a meeting in the city. No warning was
given, and 10 minutes continuous fire left 379 dead and 1200
wounded. Dyer said My idea.was to make a wide impression throughout
the Punjab. It was a merciful act, though a horrible act and they
ought to be thankful to me for doing it.
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Following the massacre. Dyer set up a series of punishments for
the Indians. These included the crawling order, whereby Indians
wishing to use a particular street in Amritsar were forced to crawl
on their hands and knees as a mark of respect for the British. The
Amritsar Massacre was a turning point. After it, Gandhi became the
leader of the Indian nationalists in the Indian Congress party. He
resolved to work towards Indian independence by a series of major
campaigns against the British.
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Gandhis Action: 1920 Non- cooperation Gandhi's first campaign
was based on 'non-co-operation'. It took many forms. He called for
British imported goods. Especially cloth to be boycotted. Peasants
were to refuse to pay their taxes. For months Gandhi toured the
country, explaining the purpose of his ideas, which he claimed
would bring home rule within 12 months. Everywhere he went he
encouraged supporters to burn foreign clothing and to spin and
weave each day. In 1921 the nationalist Congress Party agreed to
Gandhi's request for a national non-violent campaign of civil
disobedience. But, in spite of Gandhi's wishes, violence broke out
in several places. Gandhi was appalled. He went on a five-day fast
and called off the campaign. India. he concluded, was not yet ready
for independence through non-violent action.
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British Reaction 1922 As time passed they realized the threat
that Gandhi posed. In March 1922 Gandhi was arrested and charged
with sedition ( encouraging others to disobey the law). The case
against Gandhi was clear cut. He himself had written about
non-co-operation and the law. Non-co-operation aims at the
overthrow of the government and is legally seditious (Gandhi, Young
India 1922 ) Gandhi pleaded guilty. The trial gave Gandhi the
opportunity to publicise his views. In sentencing Gandhi, the judge
admitted that he was a special case. Nevertheless, Gandhi was
sentenced to six years prison! He did not serve the whole sentence.
After two years he fell ill with appendicitis was operated upon-
and was later released. The British did not wish Gandhi to die
while he was in prison.
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Gandhis action: Civil disobedience 1930 I hold the British rule
in India to be a curse. It has impoverished millions by a system of
exploitation and by ruinously expensive military and civil
administration. Gandhi 1930 His first act was to march with
thousands of followers 400km to the coast, where he picked up salt
on the seashore. The heat of Indias climate makes taking salt a
necessity of life. Yet, despite India being almost surrounded by
salt water the Indians had no control over salt production. The
British had total control and everybody rich or poor had to pay a
tax on it. By this simple act on the sea shore Gandhi was breaking
the law he was avoiding the payment of salt tax. Gandhis act was a
signal for other Indians to make their own salt and break the
law.
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Britains Reaction Indians staged acts of non-violent protest
around the country. At Dharasana salt depot, they tried to get into
the factory to protest about all salt production being in
government hands. The British were forced to act. During the next
few months over 60,000 Indians were imprisoned. Gandhi was amongst
them, and this time there was no trial. Yet the civil disobedience
campaign was successful. Many people in both Britain and India
began to realize that Britain could not hold India by force. Many
people were shocked at Britain's heavy-handed response to the
non-violent protest. The publicity harmed Britain's image and
reputation as a humane world power. Some British politicians began
to think in terms of Indian self-government. Indians now began to
believe that one day they could win their independence.
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Conference & next action Gandhi was released from prison
and invited to a series of meetings with the Viceroy. He was then
invited to attend a conference in 1931 in London. The conference
itself was a failure for India independence was still not promised.
Gandhi predicted as much before he sailed for Britain. GANDHIS
ACTION- BRITAIN 1931: While In Britain Gandhi traveled north to
Lancashire to meet cotton mill workers. His campaign to boycott
imported cloth meant many Lancashire workers had most their jobs.
They nevertheless greeted him with affection.
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British Reaction Gandhi returned to India as a hero. But to the
British he remained a dangerous enemy. Eventually in 1932 he was
arrested and imprisoned again without trial along with 30,000
followers. While in prison Gandhi learned of a British plan to
divide up Indias voters on the basis of religion. He announced his
decision to fast to death unless the British withdrew the
plan.
Slide 17
British Reaction Gandhi was now 60. The British feared the
consequences if Gandhi were to die as a martyr in prison, and so
dropped their plans.
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Event 2WW Gandhi resisted temptation to press hard for
independence when Britain was at its most vulnerable. In return for
active Indian support in the war, Britain promised India internal
self-government as soon as the war ended but not full independence.
Churchill wanted to keep the Empire together.
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GANDHIS ACTION: QUIT INDIA! 1942 Gandhi objected to Britains
ideas for self- government because they allowed individual
religious groups to work separate deals with Britain. Gandhi saw
his vision of one India being ruined by the desire of some Indian
Muslims to create their own separate state. In July 1942 Gandhi
drew up a Quit India plan. In it the Congress Party declared that
British rule must cease immediately.
Slide 20
BRITISH REACTION: Britain had no intention of quitting India.
Swiftly, Gandhi and other Congress Party leaders were arrested.
EVENTS:VIOLENCE Violence broke out all over India. Symbols of
British rule, like post offices, railway stations and government
offices were attacked. Murders and lootings began.
Slide 21
More Action & Reaction GANDHIs ACTION: For once, Gandhi
still in goal, was unable to stop the violence. He tried, by
staging a 21 day fast, but with no success. BRITISH REACTION: They
blamed Gandhi for the disorder. They now seemed willing to let him
die in prison. Eventually in 1944, aged 75, he was released on
doctors advice.
Slide 22
Gandhis Action He immediately set about trying to unite the
Hindu and Muslim leaders in demanding one India. But Mohammed
Jinnah, leader of the Muslim League, wished to see a separate
Muslim country as part of an agreement with the British. Gandhi was
unable to unite the two sides.
Slide 23
EVENT: DIRECT ACTION 1946 In August 1946 Jinnah called all
Muslims to take direct action to demand an independent Muslim
state, to be called Pakistan. Violence erupted Muslims killed
Hindus and vice versa. In one day alone 5000 people died in
Calcutta. India was in a state of civil war. Still the violence
continued. In Feb 1947 the British government announced that it
would give up the government of India by June 1948. The Viceroy
Lord Mountbatten arrived he consulted regularly with Gandhi, Jinnah
and Nehru ( leader of Congress party).
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EVENTS:PARTITION Rather than risk full civil war Gandhi and
Nehru accepted Jinnahs demands. India would be split portioned- to
create a Muslim Pakistan separate from the predominately Hindu
India. The partition was no simple matter states such as Bengal and
Punjab which had large numbers of Hindus and Muslims had to somehow
be divided. Following independence, violence broke out once again,
as large numbers of Muslims realized they were going to be under
Hindu rule, or Hindus under Muslim rule. Millions of refugees fled
from one country to an other. Half a million people were killed in
religious hatred.
Slide 25
Gandhis Action Once again Gandhi announced he would fast. He
would not stop until it was safe for Muslims to walk the streets of
Delhi. The violence in Delhi did subside. But by supporting the
rights of Muslims Gandhi put his own life in danger. Fanatical
Hindus plotted to kill him. EVENT:ASSASSINATION On the 30th January
1948 Gandhi walked through a large crowd which had gathered to hear
him. In the crowd was a young assassin. As Gandhi approached, the
young man bowed, then fired. Gandhi fell and died.