Why Nonviolence Works Non-violence can be just as effective or more effective as compared to violence. Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela all used non-violence to stand up for what they believed was wrong, and got many followers to make a change. Their governments were aware of their presence, but they could not do much about it. They did not break any laws. Mohandas Gandhi became a hero of South Africa and led India to independence. When the British began taxing salt and not allowing Indians to manufacture and collect their own salt, Gandhi stepped in and wrote a letter to the British governor of India. He was determined to show the British what wrongs they have done to India and to convert them through nonviolence (Doc 1.) Even when Gandhi was in jail, he inspired his followers to march without the use violence. None of his followers fought back even when they were beaten (Doc 4.) Being in jail for a total of 2,338 days, he “never felt the slightest hesitation in entering the prisoner’s box.” His followers finished their terms “in perfect happiness and peace,” just like him (Doc 7.) …show more content…
was a strong leader of racial injustice movements, inspired by Gandhi. At first, he began as a follower and took part in lunch counter sit-ins at a department store. That group wanted to show the racial injustices in Atlanta, and make changes for the better for both blacks and whites (Doc 2.) He convinced his followers they wouldn’t need weapons to retaliate, only the conviction that they were right (Doc 5.) King’s followers were eager to get arrested and some were even disappointed when they were not on the list because they were so proud to be arrested for the cause of freedom (Doc 8.) He was able to get whites and blacks to work together for the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” and wanted them to get along all in harmony (Doc