Examine the methods used by Gandhiji to make the Indian national movement a mass movement.
Definitions:
What is a movement? It is "an organized effort by a large number of people, especially those not forming part of the elite of a given society, to bring about pervasive changes in existing social, economic, or political institutions, frequently characterized by charismatic leadership. " - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/mass-movement
Who was Gandhiji? Gandhiji, or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly referred to as Mahatma Gandhi, was barn in 1869 at Porbandar Gujarat. He studied law in England, and spend approximately 22 years in South Africa as a practising lawyer. During his stay, he was was shocked and angered by the humiliating conditions and racial discrimination under which Indians lived. From then on, he became the leader of a struggle against racial injustice gainst Indians, and developed a technique called 'satyagraha' Satyagraha wsa later applied during the Indian national movement as well, when he returned to India in 1915. After his return to his homeland, he continued the struggle against injustice against Indians in India, and here developed and implemented ultiple innovative, non violent techniques and methods, like satya graha, which hugely contributed to the Indian national movement becoming a mass movement.
Methods: His methods were always - non violent - calm, and Gandhiji may have gotten this from his mentor and teacher, Krishna Gopal Gokhale, who was one of the key leaders on the Moderate side. The moderates, like Gandhi, were much calmer and peaceful, however, did not take direct action against the British like Gandhi, and did not have faith in the citizens to be able to handle the country after freedom.
After his return to India in 1915, he was (NCERT) invited to the BHA opening in Feb of 1916. He speech talked of how, 'there is no salvation for India unless you strip ourself of this jewellery and hold it in trust for your countrymen in india. ....Our salvation can only come from the farmer. Neither the lawyers nor the doctors, nor the rich landlords are going to secure it.' He didnt speak of self congratulations. His speech made it clear that the Indian national movement so far had been an 'elite phenomenon' NCERT but also made clear that he intended to make it themovement representative of iNDIAN people as a whole, including farmers, peasants, along side lawyers and elites.,
STRUCTURE:
Hook- Start by talking of Gandhi, and question how the heckarooni he made the Indian national movement, a mass movement, when moderates who did , and extremists who did could not do it. How could a single man create such an impact and appeal to not just elites but peasants as well and overcome the differences in communites.
Make thesis, talking of essay topic
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Methods in order: Talk of ALL METHODS, in orderof relevance and importance. In each method talk of EFFECT on people, CAUSE, and HOW IT WAS DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS, what was similar
Include stuff from books, historians, researchers, quotes even are good. GIVE DA FOOKIN REASONING
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NON CO-OPERATION- (as said byAmerican Biographer of Gandhi lOUIS fISCHER ncert) Non co-operation was negativ enough to be peaceful but postive enough to be effective.It entailed denial, renunciation and self discipline. It was training for self rule - TAUGHT HOW TO DEAL WITH ISSUES IN SOCEITY, POLITICS AND ECONOMICS, BY CIVIL DISOBENDIENCE AND NON CO-OPERATION, instead of taking violent ways that would only bring harm. It was effective, but peaceful. -APPEALED TO PPL
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METHODS:
1- Lifestyle, personality, and past
Dressed like untouchables and the poorest of Indians (Dalits). - white blanket like cloth called dhoti, and no expensive clothing or accessories, unlike other educated lawyers and Indians of high status . - majority of Indians were poor and could not afford the plasures and privelages of more well off people. There was a lot of inequality and the caste system was extremely prevelant. Both moderates and radicals were able to appeal to educated individuals, but as they did not understand the poor and farmers, they were not able to have as much of an impact as Gandhi. Gandhi was able to relate to dalits, and the poor, by dressing like them, and living like them. He ate very little, and ate simple food like boiled veggies without salt (Subhardra sen gupta saffron white and green the amazing story of indias independence bapu handout 8), and palm gur as desert, which he called 'chocolate', or fried groundnut powder he called 'butter' on mashed bananas.
He was unlike other freedom fighters, activists and politicians. His lifestyle was unlike other educated indivudiuals, his ideas were out of the box and un thought of. - Satyagraha, civil disobedience, etc.
intrigued other people, stood out, his personality was very humble and kind, not selfish and greedy for power welath and status like others, placed others as equals, likeable
Talked to the people directly, never thught of himself as higher. wrote back personally to his letters mostly scrawling a reply on the back of it, and (sen gupta) met with others discussed problems. eg: when told of indogo farming issues.
2- Opposition against caste system
He was against the caste system, mistreatment of farmers and poor, and believed in equality and rights for all.
3- Satyagraha
4-Hindu Muslim unity
5-
non violence