Gandhi- Father of India The mark left by the British, and the unique fight for independence

Early India In 1600, Queen Elizabeth I of England gave trade rights to British merchants so that they could trade in India and East and Southeast Asia In 1600, Queen Elizabeth I of England gave trade rights to British merchants so that they could trade in India and East and Southeast Asia The rulers of India agreed and soon the British set up many factories and trading centers there The rulers of India agreed and soon the British set up many factories and trading centers there The British merchants shipped spices, tea, cotton, silk, sugar as well as other items back to England The British merchants shipped spices, tea, cotton, silk, sugar as well as other items back to England Gradually, British power in India increased Gradually, British power in India increased By 1818, England had full control of the country and India became a colony of England By 1818, England had full control of the country and India became a colony of England

Effects of British Colonization British merchants, military and missionaries came to India in great numbers British merchants, military and missionaries came to India in great numbers With these people came many new technologies and aspects of British culture With these people came many new technologies and aspects of British culture Railroads Telegraph Steamship Irrigation methods English became India’s official language New British Laws

Effects of British Colonization Indians responded to the British in different ways Indians responded to the British in different ways While some Indians adapted to British culture and mixed it with their own, many Indians felt oppressed by the British While some Indians adapted to British culture and mixed it with their own, many Indians felt oppressed by the British Indians did not have the same rights as British colonists Most Indians were overworked, underpaid and owned no land under British rule Indians were treated as second-class citizens

A voice for India During this time period, the two main religious groups were Hindus and Muslims During this time period, the two main religious groups were Hindus and Muslims In 1885 the Indian National Congress was formed as a an organization where the people of India could voice their concerns In 1885 the Indian National Congress was formed as a an organization where the people of India could voice their concerns In 1906 the Muslim League was formed, and this organization allowed the Muslims of India an additional organization to be heard In 1906 the Muslim League was formed, and this organization allowed the Muslims of India an additional organization to be heard After World War I, many people in India (Muslims and Hindus) began to desire independence from British rule After World War I, many people in India (Muslims and Hindus) began to desire independence from British rule They found a great leader in Mohandas Gandhi They found a great leader in Mohandas Gandhi

Mohandas Gandhi ( )

Mohandas Gandhi

Gandhi was born in 1869 to a devout Hindu family Gandhi was born in 1869 to a devout Hindu family Amongst other things, most Hindus believe in vegetarianism, fasting, tolerance for other cultures and non-violence (Pacifism) Amongst other things, most Hindus believe in vegetarianism, fasting, tolerance for other cultures and non-violence (Pacifism) These core values would stick with Gandhi his entire life These core values would stick with Gandhi his entire life

Mohandas Gandhi At age 18, Gandhi went to school in London to become a barrister (lawyer) At age 18, Gandhi went to school in London to become a barrister (lawyer) After finishing school, Gandhi had a hard time finding work in India, so he moved to South Africa After finishing school, Gandhi had a hard time finding work in India, so he moved to South Africa During this time period, South Africa practiced a racist political system called Apartheid, in which black South Africans and other minorities; such as Indians, were treated very poorly During this time period, South Africa practiced a racist political system called Apartheid, in which black South Africans and other minorities; such as Indians, were treated very poorly Gandhi in South Africa (1885)

Mohandas Gandhi In South Africa, Gandhi witnessed the effects of racism first hand In South Africa, Gandhi witnessed the effects of racism first hand Gandhi organized the Indian population to work for better conditions and more rights Gandhi organized the Indian population to work for better conditions and more rights Gandhi’s method of fighting was known as “ Satyagraha” or non- violent resistance Gandhi’s method of fighting was known as “ Satyagraha” or non- violent resistance These methods included: 1. Protest 2. Work Strikes 3. Boycotts 4. Civil Disobedience Through his non-violent methods, rights eventually increased for Indians in South Africa

Mohandas Gandhi When Gandhi returned to India in 1915, he quickly became the face of the Indian independence movement When Gandhi returned to India in 1915, he quickly became the face of the Indian independence movement He organized non-violent work strikes against landowners and as a result was thrown in jail He organized non-violent work strikes against landowners and as a result was thrown in jail By this time, Gandhi had many supporters, who protested and demanded his freedom By this time, Gandhi had many supporters, who protested and demanded his freedom The British soon gave in. They released Gandhi and promised to improve conditions for Indians by lowering taxes and giving the Indians increased rights and wages for their work The British soon gave in. They released Gandhi and promised to improve conditions for Indians by lowering taxes and giving the Indians increased rights and wages for their work

Mohandas Gandhi Gandhi gained even more popularity in India Gandhi gained even more popularity in India The people began to call him “Bapu” which means father and “Mohatma” or “great soul” The people began to call him “Bapu” which means father and “Mohatma” or “great soul” Although things were improving, Gandhi knew his people would always be oppressed under British rule Although things were improving, Gandhi knew his people would always be oppressed under British rule Independence was the only way Independence was the only way For the next 27 years, Gandhi and his followers fought for independence using Gandhi's non-violent methods (Satyagraha) For the next 27 years, Gandhi and his followers fought for independence using Gandhi's non-violent methods (Satyagraha)

Satyagraha

Mohandas Gandhi Organized massive boycotts of British goods Organized massive boycotts of British goods “Salt March” 1930 – As a protest on British taxes of salt, Gandhi and his followers walked 400 miles over 27 days to the ocean to gather sea salt “Salt March” 1930 – As a protest on British taxes of salt, Gandhi and his followers walked 400 miles over 27 days to the ocean to gather sea salt He fasted for 21 days in 1933 to protest the unfair treatment of untouchables under the caste system He fasted for 21 days in 1933 to protest the unfair treatment of untouchables under the caste system All of these things brought attention to the independence movement and increased the pressure on the British to give in All of these things brought attention to the independence movement and increased the pressure on the British to give in Caste System: an inherited social class where a person’s social class is determined by birth Highest: Priests Lowest: Commoners (workers)

Mohandas Gandhi Gandhi’s biggest act of defiance was the “Quit India” movement of 1942, in which Indians refused to help Great Britain fight in WWII Gandhi’s biggest act of defiance was the “Quit India” movement of 1942, in which Indians refused to help Great Britain fight in WWII This led to mass arrests and Gandhi himself spent 2 years in prison This led to mass arrests and Gandhi himself spent 2 years in prison This gained international attention for the independence movement and the British knew they would soon have to let India go This gained international attention for the independence movement and the British knew they would soon have to let India go

Independence Independence was granted in 1947, and the British left India Independence was granted in 1947, and the British left India The British were not the end to India’s problems however The British were not the end to India’s problems however The Muslims and Hindus of India were unsure how to divide the now independent land The Muslims and Hindus of India were unsure how to divide the now independent land The solution was to create two countries, Pakistan for the Muslims and India for the Hindus, which were the majority of the population The solution was to create two countries, Pakistan for the Muslims and India for the Hindus, which were the majority of the population

Gandhi Assassinated Gandhi’s work was instrumental in peacefully dividing India; however, not everyone was happy with outcome Gandhi’s work was instrumental in peacefully dividing India; however, not everyone was happy with outcome Gandhi’s life was cut short, he was assassinated by a Hindu extremist who was unhappy about the land received by the Muslims Gandhi’s life was cut short, he was assassinated by a Hindu extremist who was unhappy about the land received by the Muslims An unfortunately violent end to a life dedicated to non-violence An unfortunately violent end to a life dedicated to non-violence

Gandhi's Legacy -“Father of India”

Due to Gandhi's work, India is now independent and the worlds largest democracy Due to Gandhi's work, India is now independent and the worlds largest democracy Gandhi is a national hero, his birthday is a national holiday Gandhi is a national hero, his birthday is a national holiday His image appears on most currency ($$) in India His image appears on most currency ($$) in India He is known as the father of India He is known as the father of India