Mohandas Gandhi (12) Flashcards
What was Gandhi’s philosophy?
Underpinned by satyagraha, the belief that everyone was created to search for the truth and in order to be fully human everyone has to find the truth within themselves. Since every individual is at a different stage in this journey, non-violence in relationships is essential, as the weaker must not be forced to accept the views of the stronger.
How did Gopal Krishna Gokhale help Gandhi become Congress leader?
He had formed a strong friendship with Gokhale, who advised him to keep out of the public life for at least a year while he developed an understanding of the political dynamics as Gandhi was very out of touch with India and its affairs - after spending time in South Africa.
What did Gandhi believe regarding how people should live?
He believed people were happier when they lived in small, self sufficient communities and that freedom for India meant dismantling the state and returning to small, simple communities.
Why was Gandhi’s idea of a free India incompatible with reality?
Bombay, Madras, Delhi and Calcutta were bustling modern cities teeming with a huge population that couldn’t possibly return to their original rural origins.
Did the idea of self sufficient rural communities gain support?
Yes, the peasant masses began to take notice of Gandhi and see ideas within him they could identify with.
What lifestyle did Gandhi adopt?
He rejected the lifestyle of his caste and profession, adopting the peasant lifestyle, he became a vegetarian and ate frugally. He walked everywhere. This led more people being able to identify with him and in 1915 he began a daily routine of spinning in order to gain closer contact with Indian peasants - for whom spinning was a daily task.
Who in particular did Gandhi establish relationships with?
Up and coming regional leaders, for example a young Jawaharlal Nehru, as he was developing an astute political awareness regarding who were most likely to be of use to him in the future.
Which two important communities did he establish relationships with?
Muslims and businessmen, as they were largely neglected by Congress politicians and such relations proved to be of huge use to him, since the Muslims supported his takeover of Congress in 1920 and the businessmen payrolled his non-cooperation campaigns.
What was the reason for the satyagraha campaign of April 1919?
Gandhi was protesting the repressive nature of the Rowlatt Acts that ordinary political protests and a unanimous vote in the Imperial Legislative Council had failed to prevent.
Why did the Rowlatt satyagraha fail?
The hartals that were held varied in degree to which the non-violent aspect was observed, for example violence erupted in Gujurat and the Punjab. Despite immediately calling off the satyagraha, this did not stop the violence.
Satyagraha’s can only be effective when…
everyone involved understands its basic principles and isn’t being used as a means to pursue other agendas.
What three events made Gandhi develop the idea of swaraj?
The Rowlatt Acts
The Amritsar Massarce of April 1919 and the endorsement of it by large sections of the British community in India
The Paris Peace Conference decided that Turkey had to pay a huge amount of money and lose its colonial territories, confirming to Indian Muslims that white Europeans had little concern for Islamic nations.
Why had Gandhi emerged as the leading Indian politician by 1920?
No other all-Indian politician or group to oppose him. Gokhale had died in 1915, Annie Besant was seen as insignificant and Tilak died in 1920.
Members of Congress were so divided regarding how to proceed that they couldn’t unite to oppose him and members of social and religious groups who had previously exercised little influence at meetings of Congress now appeared as delegates supporting Gandhi.
He also had wide geographical support due to his involvement in many local disputes.
