Gandhi

Gandhi

Mohandas K Gandhi - born in 1869, India
1. India was under British rule at this time
2. Hindu and his family were relatively wealthy
3. Studied law in London - to become a barrister
  1. At age 24 he went to South Africa to practise law
    1. He first experienced racism while on a train. The staff on the train said that their were no coloured lawyers in South Africa. He was kicked off the train
    2. He was discriminated against the whole time he was there.
      1. From this he became a more intimate believer in equality.
He moved back to India in 1915
1. He wanted to help the poor and get India back from British Rule
2. Became leader of the Indian National congress in 1920
  1. Promoted Non-violence and peaceful resistant whilst he 'fought for his cause'
Amritsar
1. 10000 people had gathered to hear the teachings of Gandhi
  1. The Garden had one entrance and 4 smaller exits
  2. General Dyer (British) heard about the gathering
    1. He got an army of 110 men and blocked the exits
    2. No warning shot was fired to alert the people to leave
      1. This is a breech of the law
    3. They shot everyone in the garden as they could not leave.
The Salt March
1. Salt is vital to people who live in hot climates like India
  1. In certain areas people could collect salt from the beach for free
    1. The British stopped this and forced people to buy it at very high prices from the refineries
2. Gandhi lead thousands of people, by foot, 241 miles to a beach.
  1. After picking up a handful of salt, he was arrested.
    1. His followers continued to a refinery.
      1. The men would line up to enter the salt refinery where British soldiers were already waiting.
        When they tried to get past, soldiers would brutally injure them with a stick.
        If the Indians were able to walk they would line up and continue the process, otherwise the women help them.
The Community
1. Indian people followed a social system called Varashrama or 'Caste'
  1. It put people into four groups (Varnas - means 'colour')
    1. The first group being; academics, priest, kings e.c.t.
    2. Once born into a group, you could not change.
    3. A fifth group developed called the 'untouchables' - these people were highly discriminated against.
      1. Gandhi wanted to change this: he led protests and peaceful methods to abolish the system. In 1950 the system was outlawed.
Beliefs & Methods
1. Non -violent peaceful marches and protests to bring attention to his causes
  1. Went on hunger strikes
2. Beliefs:
  1. Ahimsa - the hindu belief that no harm should come to any living being
  2. Satya & Satyagraha - meaning 'truth' and 'firmness in truth'. He believed that people should stick to their religious principles and apply them every day.
  3. Atman - this means 'soul', and Hindus believe that it is made of Brahman, the eternal spirit. THis links to all beings and makes everyone completely equal.
Quotes
1. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind
2. Hate the sin, love the sinner
3. I hate violence, because even when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary, the evil is permanent
4. You must be the change you want to see in the world
5. God has no religion

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	Created by Grace Pulling almost 11 years ago