Gandhi “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Vital Stats Mohandas K. Gandhi Born in 1869 into the vaishya (business) caste Entered an arranged marriage at the age of 13 Went to university in both India and England to become a lawyer

South Africa Began career in South Africa –Was politically indifferent and suffered terrible “stage fright” Experienced discrimination by the white South African government –Beaten for refusing to give up space on a stagecoach for a European Founded the Natal Indian Congress in 1894 to fight racial discrimination in South Africa Used satyagraha (non-violence) to compel the South African government to protect some rights for Indians

Philosophy Ahimsa: non-violence Satyagraha: “devotion to the truth” or non- violent protest Simplicity –Dress, food, etc. "There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for".

Champaran Agitation 1918 In this district, Indians lived in extreme poverty as farmers on British owned land During a famine in 1918, the British increased taxes on the farmers Gandhi publicized the situation and organized the civil resistance of tens of thousands Indian farmers When the British tried to expel him from the region, hundreds of thousands protested and the British negotiated new rights for the farmers

Champaran Continued Following his success in Champaran, Gandhi became a national hero People began calling him: –Mahatma (Great Soul) –Bapu (Father)

Campaigns Indian independence Elimination of poverty Abolition of the caste system Unity and peace between Hindus and Muslims

Defining Moments Amritsar Massacre 1919 Salt March 1930 Quit India Movement 1942 –The Indian National Congress refused to support the British war effort for democracy unless India was given self- rule –At the end of WWII, the British granted India independence

Legacy Assassinated in 1948 Influenced others to undertake non-violent struggle, including: –The Dalai Lama, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, Aung San Suu Kyi, Lech Walesa, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela "Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood." – Albert Einstein

Your Assignment (10 pts) Using a piece of computer paper and other available classroom materials, carry out the following: –Divide the paper in half –Label one half “India Under British Rule” and depict life in India under British rule –Label the other half “Gandhi’s India” and depict life in India as Gandhi imagined it could be –Create a drawing that depicts both –Somewhere on the page, select and write a quote by Gandhi that reflects some part of your drawing –Your final product should contain no spelling errors, be in color and be extremely neat!