key term - Gandhi's nonviolent resistance movement

Definition

Gandhi's nonviolent resistance movement, also known as Satyagraha, was a campaign led by Mahatma Gandhi in the early to mid-20th century that sought to achieve political and social change in India through peaceful means. This approach emphasized civil disobedience, peaceful protests, and non-cooperation with British authorities, ultimately playing a crucial role in India's struggle for independence and influencing global movements for civil rights and freedom.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gandhi's nonviolent resistance movement gained momentum during the 1910s and 1920s, culminating in major events such as the Salt March in 1930, which protested British salt laws.
2. The movement aimed to unite diverse groups within Indian society against British colonial rule, promoting a sense of national identity and collective action.
3. Gandhi emphasized the importance of personal sacrifice and moral integrity among his followers, encouraging them to remain peaceful even in the face of violence or oppression.
4. His strategies influenced many global figures, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, who adopted similar nonviolent tactics in their own struggles for civil rights.
5. The movement faced significant challenges, including repression from British authorities, but it ultimately contributed to India gaining independence in 1947.

Review Questions

• How did Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance influence the tactics used by the Indian National Congress during the independence movement?
  • Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance shaped the tactics of the Indian National Congress by promoting strategies like peaceful protests, strikes, and civil disobedience. The Congress adopted these methods to rally support among diverse groups in India and create a united front against British colonial rule. By adhering to nonviolence, they aimed to gain moral high ground and attract international attention to their cause.
• Discuss the impact of Gandhi's nonviolent resistance movement on other global movements for social justice and civil rights.
  • Gandhi's nonviolent resistance movement had a profound impact on global movements for social justice, inspiring leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States and Nelson Mandela in South Africa. These figures adopted Gandhi's principles of nonviolence to combat racial segregation and oppression in their respective countries. The success of Gandhi's methods demonstrated that peaceful protest could effectively challenge oppressive regimes and achieve significant political change.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Gandhi's nonviolent resistance movement in achieving its goals, considering both its successes and limitations.
  • Gandhi's nonviolent resistance movement was largely effective in uniting Indians against British rule and played a pivotal role in India's eventual independence in 1947. However, it faced limitations, including violent reprisals from British authorities and internal divisions among different groups within India. While the movement successfully highlighted issues of injustice and garnered global support, its reliance on nonviolence was tested during periods of intense conflict, raising questions about the practicality of such an approach under extreme oppression.

Related terms

Satyagraha:

A philosophy and practice developed by Gandhi that advocates for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as a means to achieve social and political change.

Civil Disobedience: The act of peacefully refusing to obey certain laws or demands of a government to bring about change, often associated with Gandhi's methods during the Indian independence movement.

Indian National Congress:

A major political party in India that played a significant role in the independence movement, where Gandhi emerged as a prominent leader advocating for nonviolent resistance.