Mohandas Gandhi
Describe the impact of Mohandas Gandhi’s belief in non-violent protest. (SS7H3b)
By advocating direct but non-violent resistance to the British Raj, Mohandas Gandhi found a way for all Indians, regardless of social class,
to participate in the struggle against the British Raj. Gandhi’s embrace of non-violence also undercut British claims that the Raj was necessary to preserve order in India. Gandhi’s non-violent protesters repeatedly attacked British authority with actions such as nationwide strikes and making salt in violation of the British monopoly. When the Raj government engaged in harsh crack downs, the killing and beating of unarmed peaceful protesters drew condemnation from all over the world including in Britain. Since the British Raj never found a way to deal with the protester’s attacks on its authority without resorting to state violence, and such violence only further undermined its authority at home and abroad, the British eventually yielded to the protester’s demands and gave India its independence in 1947.
A Student’s Guide to Gandhi (video)