Gandhi - Early Years Flashcards
When and What was the first Indian association created?
Who was the leader and what were their views?
1885:
Indian National Congress
Annie Besant, moderate ideals and autonomy (with consent from England)
What were the main changes following the Sepoy Rebellion?
Universities created:
Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai
New Professions: Journalism, Law
Indian Consciousness of their rights
What was a major factor in delaying independance
A division amongst population. Nationalism often represented Hinduism, not Islam.
Also, English Leaders and Indian Apathy
When was, and what caused the Second Indian Rebellion?
1905: Government divides Bengal
They said it was to ease administration, but it was really to prevent people (politicians) from uniting
What were the results of the Second Indian Rebellion
2 years of unrest
People sent to island prisons
Country divided between Moderate and Nationalist
When and where was Gandhi born?
1869 in Gujarat
Describe Gandhi’s family
High cast, but not Brahmin
Youngest of 4 children
Traditional: vegetarian, no alcohol
At what age was Gandhi married? When did they have their first kid?
Married at 13, first kid at 15
Why didn’t his family want Gandhi to go to London?
His cast wouldn’t be recognized, but he promises to be faithful to traditions and wife.
What happens for Gandhi when he is in London?
He studies law for 3 years
Wants to become citizen
Adopts the culture (suits, dance, violin)
Joins theosophical Society and discovers the Bible and other Religions
What happens when Gandhi returns from Law School?
He can’t find a job due to over-saturation of lawyers, decides to go to South Africa for 1 year
How long does Gandhi stay in South Africa?
20 years
What were the 4 states in South Africa where Indians could live?
Cap, Natal, Transvaal, Orang
What were the difference between Rich Indians and Poor ones?
Rich Indian Merchants from Gujarat could buy the right to vote; could own land in Natal
Poor Indiand were basically slaves on plantations
What happened during Gandhi’s commute to SA?
He bought a first-class ticket, but was told to go to 3rd class because of his skin colour. He refused.
Why did Gandhi stay in SA for so long?
Laws changed:
Indians right to vote suppressed
Workers can’t stay freely after 5-year contact
Can’t move freely between states
All 10 fingerprints required for ID (usually reserved for criminals)
Only Christian marriages valis
What did Gandhi create in SA as a means of protest?
A journal: The Indian Opinion
When his journal failed to convince the Indian Congress of Natal, what did Gandhi do?
Disobey discriminatory laws
Non-Violent Protests
Calls for everyone to burn their IDS
Becomes a political leader
What were the conditions of the communes created by Gandhi
No casts or distinctions
Everyone is equal, equal work (including his wife)
He begins to fast at times as a means of protest
When did Gandhi return to India? What was his role?
1914: WWI
He acted as a pilgrim, delivering food from village to village
What association does Gandhi join during the war and why? What were his views?
India National Congress, because after the ware, there’d be no leaders left.
What was the populace opinion of Gandhi when he returned from SA?
Popular for not being a Brahmin
Not too modernist
Preferred traditional manual labour (better for poor people)
Popular amongst young and old generations.
What important event occurs in 1917, establishing Gandhi’s importance?
A year of no monsoons
Peasants can’t pay taxes, so they ask Gandhi to intervene
He goes on a hunger strike, and the government compromises because of his importance
After the war, what does the government do? How does Gandhi react? What are the consequences?
They decide to keep wartime laws
Gandhi gathers masses to boycott and pray
Non-violent protest, no one works
Amritsar: General Dyer orders soldiers to fire on protestors in city square; >400 dead.
What was Gandhi’s main hope for the people of India
To unite Hindus & Muslims
What did Jinnah create, and what was the goal?
The Muslim league
To create Pakistan
