Mahatma Gandhi Dbq

Mohandas Gandhi was a “key figure in the Indian struggle for independence.” He worked to use nonviolent ways to fight for equality and change in India. Gandhi was able to unite many groups and “inspired the common people of India to work for change.” In addition, Gandhi advocated using a more traditional approach (Wadley 202). Although Mohandas Gandhi 's satyagraha campaign caused violence, his advocacy for those who were discriminated against in Indian society led to the initial unification of India to gain independence from Great Britain. Gandhi’s attempt to peacefully fight for independence still left a considerable amount of violence during protests. Gandhi advocated for oppressed or mistreated groups, such as untouchables, women, and those

For example, Gandhi was instrumental in his work to help women. Even before independence, Gandhi worked for equality of women, stating that women belong working and doing what they prefer, rather than being stuck in the kitchen, and that women are equal to men in every way (Document 11). Gandhi’s beliefs carried on to help India in more recent times as well. For example, Usha Thakkar from the Institute of Research on Gandhian Thought Towards Empowerment reports that the 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution allowed women to participate in Panchayats, which were village and district councils (Document 12). Through Gandhi’s advocacy, women were able to participate in government roles. In addition, Gandhi disagreed with some features of the caste system, especially the brutal treatment of the untouchables (Wadley 202). The untouchables were the lowest caste in the system, and lived at the lowest level of society. They were considered the least pure, and were not able to come in contact with those of a higher caste, due to the fact that they may risk “spiritually polluting” the person in the higher caste (Wadley 189-190). From the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, Gandhi has spoken several times about the awfulness of untouchability, stating that God would strongly disagree with

This was due to the passing of the Indian Independence Act, which “ended British rule in India” (Wadley 203). In addition, the act allowed India to divide into two sections: India (for Hindus) and Pakistan (for Muslims). Jawaharlal Nehru became Prime Minister of India. Nehru discussed this at the Constituent Assembly. He talked about the future for India, and how they have more steps to take. In addition, Nehru explained that Muslims “are of us and will remain of us whatever happens” (Document 2). Not only did Gandhi help to achieve what each religion wanted, but did so while himself and Nehru encouraged Hindus and Muslims to remain