In the early 20th century there lived a very influential man that would soon help to change many people's lives for the better, Mahatma Gandhi. Not only did Gandhi see racial prejudice in India, but in South Africa as well. He showed people all over the world that the best way to get rights as human beings is fighting without violence. In South Africa, Gandhi saw how effective non-violence could be implementing social reform. These experiences in South Africa, later helped to shape his political activism in India. Gandhi was born in Porbandar, India. He lived a happy life until the death of his father when he was sixteen years old. After his father's death, Gandhi went to England and earned a law degree. With now, new knowledge of the legal system, an opportunity arose. An indian friend of Gandhi’s brother, Abdulla Sheth wrote him and asked if he would come to South Africa to take on a legal case. After thinking over the opportunity, Gandhi replied to Sheth and said he would come to South Africa. Sheth then booked Gandhi a first class ticket on a boat to Durban and he was on his way. …show more content…
His first experience was life changing for him. While riding a train to his destination, from Durban, the conductor told him to move to the baggage car. Gandhi showed the man his ticket and said no. The conductor proceeded to grab Gandhi and tried dragging him to the baggage car. Instead of fighting back, Gandhi decided to just go with it. “My active nonviolence began from that date” (Dear). After this experience, Gandhi decided to devote himself to help others in the same position as him, without acting out in a violent