1. Mohandas Gandhi and Indian Independence
Do Now: What is fasting? Why do people do it?

2. Accomplishments Born October 2, 1869 - died January 30 1948
Major political and spiritual leader of India
Leader of the Indian Independence movement
Believed in Satyagraha, philosophy based on truth and non-violent resistance
This philosophy was the way India gained independence
Inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world

3. Philosophy
Truth could only be attained through ahimsa (non-violence, love) and brahmacharya (celibacy, striving towards God). He was imprisoned numerous times in both South Africa and India.
Gandhi practiced non- violence and truth, in all situations.

4. Philosophy
He lived simply, organizing an ashram that was self-sufficient in its needs.
Made his own clothes – dhoti and shawl woven
Vegetarian diet.
He underwent long fasts, for both self- purification and protest.

5. Homespun Gandhi encouraged Indians to be self sufficient
He believed the less dependent upon the British the more likely they were to gain their independence

6. Peaceful Protest Britain instituted a new tax on Salt.
March 12 to April 6, Gandhi and his followers launched a peaceful protest
The Salt March lasted for 248 miles from Ahmedabad to Dandi
Thousands of Indians joined on this march to the sea.
This campaign was one of his most successful at upsetting British rule
Britain responded by imprisoning over 60,000 people.

7. Return to Britain 1931 goes to London to discuss: Independence
Freedom for political prisoners
Signs the Gandhi-Irwin pact that halts civil disobedience in March 1931

8. Independence Independence would be granted in 1947
Mohammed Ali Jinnah, leader of Indian Muslims, wanted separate Muslim countries from India
The British India colony would be divided by religion in the Partition of India
Three separate regions are formed:
East Pakistan (Muslim)
India (Hindu)
West Pakistan (Muslim)

9. Assassination
On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was shot and killed while having his nightly public walk
The assassin, Nathuram Godse, was a radical Hindu
Godse held Gandi responsible for weakening India
Godse and his co- conspirator Naravan Apte were later tried, convicted; they were executed on November 15, 1949
Gandhi’s last words were "Oh God".

10. India Grieves Jawaharlal Nehru radio address:
“Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere, and I do not quite know what to tell you or how to say it. Our beloved leader, Bapu as we called him, the father of the nation, is no more. Perhaps I am wrong to say that; nevertheless, we will not see him again, as we have seen him for these many years, we will not run to him for advice or seek solace from him, and that is a terrible blow, not only for me, but for millions and millions in this country.”
Why was Gandhi's death a terrible blow to India?

11. The Legacy
The legacy of Gandhi lives on. He has influenced such leaders as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
Both of these leaders have used his principles of civil disobedience as a way to enact change.