GANDHI’S IMPACT ON THE AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT BY FEDERICO PORTELA
Mohandas Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement strongly challenged the British control over India, and displayed a unified India actively rebelling against their domineering European power sans violence. One can draw eerily similar parallels between Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement and the American civil rights struggle of the 1960s. Both movements were stimulated by nearly identical incidents. The movement in India commenced in 1893 when Gandhi, staying in South Africa at the time, was asked to move to the back section of the train because he was colored although he possessed a first class ticket. His luggage was confiscated and he was beaten, and Gandhi later took a stand against this injustice and decided to peacefully fight against it. Similarly, when Rosa Parks refused to give her seat up to a white man on a bus in 1955, she was arrested and the civil rights movement of African-Americans in the United States of America began.
Gandhi’s influence on the civil rights movement in America was felt as early as 1920, when John Holmes, a future member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, delivered sermons preaching of Gandhi’s prowess. He educated many African-Americans who had never before heard of Gandhi of his accomplishments and his idea of civil disobedience, or peaceful resistance. Holmes glorified Gandhi, calling him “The Christ of Today”, and people soon became very familiar with the idea of nonviolent direct action. African American newspapers ran stories on stories on Gandhi’s demonstrations, and blacks in America sought to draw inspiration and lessons from the movement in India that they could apply to their own to achieve freedom and equality. African American activists failed to realize was Gandhi’s secret: the marriage of religion and politics.
Gandhi was a genius politician who applied moral and religious methods for political activism. It wasn’t until Martin Luther King Jr. also meshed religion and politics that the African American movement came to full fruition. Gandhi once wrote to black leaders saying, “It is maybe through the Negroes that the unadulterated message of nonviolence will be delivered to the world”. He served as an inspiration to all blacks in America who sought justice, and certainly helped fuel their passion for equality. Martin Luther King Jr. was the leading figure for African Americans in their fight for racial equality, and his ideas were largely affected by one named Mohandas Gandhi. King was introduced to Gandhi’s ideas while attending an interracial seminar in Philadelphia. Mordecai Johnson, president of Howard University at the time, gave a powerful speech on the significance of Gandhi after having just returned from India. King soon embraced the methods of Gandhi, and advocated moral justice only being achieved through non-violence. King gathered together other African American activists and enacted a mass movement for total justice, using marches, rallies, civil disobedience, and many passionate speeches.
Martin Luther King became the leader of the civil rights movement and is widely accepted as the ultimate hero for African-Americans. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech layed the foundations for civil rights legislation and true and total emancipation of blacks in the United States of America. Gandhi’s teachings of civil disobedience and resistance through non-violence were instrumental in shaping King’s leadership, and eventually led to racial justice in the United States of America with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The civil rights struggle was finally over, and African-Americans were regarded as equals to whites.
Gandhi’s influence on the civil rights movement in America was felt as early as 1920, when John Holmes, a future member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, delivered sermons preaching of Gandhi’s prowess. He educated many African-Americans who had never before heard of Gandhi of his accomplishments and his idea of civil disobedience, or peaceful resistance. Holmes glorified Gandhi, calling him “The Christ of Today”, and people soon became very familiar with the idea of nonviolent direct action. African American newspapers ran stories on stories on Gandhi’s demonstrations, and blacks in America sought to draw inspiration and lessons from the movement in India that they could apply to their own to achieve freedom and equality. African American activists failed to realize was Gandhi’s secret: the marriage of religion and politics.
Gandhi was a genius politician who applied moral and religious methods for political activism. It wasn’t until Martin Luther King Jr. also meshed religion and politics that the African American movement came to full fruition. Gandhi once wrote to black leaders saying, “It is maybe through the Negroes that the unadulterated message of nonviolence will be delivered to the world”. He served as an inspiration to all blacks in America who sought justice, and certainly helped fuel their passion for equality. Martin Luther King Jr. was the leading figure for African Americans in their fight for racial equality, and his ideas were largely affected by one named Mohandas Gandhi. King was introduced to Gandhi’s ideas while attending an interracial seminar in Philadelphia. Mordecai Johnson, president of Howard University at the time, gave a powerful speech on the significance of Gandhi after having just returned from India. King soon embraced the methods of Gandhi, and advocated moral justice only being achieved through non-violence. King gathered together other African American activists and enacted a mass movement for total justice, using marches, rallies, civil disobedience, and many passionate speeches.
Martin Luther King became the leader of the civil rights movement and is widely accepted as the ultimate hero for African-Americans. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech layed the foundations for civil rights legislation and true and total emancipation of blacks in the United States of America. Gandhi’s teachings of civil disobedience and resistance through non-violence were instrumental in shaping King’s leadership, and eventually led to racial justice in the United States of America with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The civil rights struggle was finally over, and African-Americans were regarded as equals to whites.
NON COOPERATION MOVEMENT BY OLIVIA FEARON
During the late nineteenth century, the British stronghold on India started to cause tension between the two countries. The British established the East India Company in 1600 with the aid of Queen Elizabeth. The British sought India because of their abundant supply of spices. Cotton, indigo and silk were also a few of the other commodities traded. When the British colonized in India they introduced unfavorable laws among the Indian population. In 1885 the Indian National Congress was organized in hope to reform Britain’s government of India. With a reformed government on its way many people were not satisfied. The push for Indian independence began. The first large scale movement for Indian independence was the Non Cooperation Movement led by Mohandas Gandhi.
The motive behind Indian independence was in response to the British men’s actions and their promises that they failed to keep. During World War One Indian troops were used as part of the British army in fighting the Central Powers in Europe. To compensate for their duty, the British promised the Indian troops Home Rule after the war. This would allow the Indian government to exercise power among themselves. However, later in 1918 the British revoked the statement. This made the Indians’ blood start to boil, but it was the British oppression that pushed them over the edge. In 1919 British troops killed hundreds of protesters in Amritsar without justification. The same year, the British passed the Rowlatt Acts. These acts extended Britain’s wartime powers. The government was authorized to repress, or imprison, any person to ensure the safety of others. Economic inequality also stimulated the push for independence. The Indian people were not happy because more of their goods were being exported to Great Britain than Great Britain was importing to them as reimbursement. The Indians wanted to be recognized as self-governing, not a weak country that Britain controls.
The injustice of the British led to many protests and boycotts by the Indians. Starting in 1920 Mohandas Gandhi led protests against British law known as the Non Cooperation movement. The key to participation among the citizens was word of mouth. Gandhi and his followers informed others on the non-cooperation movement and civil disobedience. Many Indian citizens gave up their personal titles and honors. Lawyers, doctors and higher personnel quit their jobs too. There was a boycott on government courts, services, educational facilities, and even refusal to pay taxes. The main goal in resisting the British was to be against everything foreign. In 1799 the British banned the importation of Indian cloth to England. The British saw India as a rival to their own textile industry. Wiping out the Indian industry would hopefully strengthen Britain’s. During the movement people were encouraged to spin their own cloth at home. This cloth, known as Khadi, was spun to show that you are a follower of Gandhi and the Satyagraha movement. Seeing India disobey their laws outraged the British, which is exactly what the Indians were hoping for.
As more people joined the march for Indian independence, Gandhi’s hopes for the march were lost. Gandhi planned for the movement to be peaceful and non-violent. On February 5, 1922 a violent mob erupted in the streets. In the midst of all the chaos the mob set fire to twenty-two police officers. Noticing that his project was getting off track, Gandhi appealed to the masses and called for peace. Not wanting violent battles between opposing sides back and forth, three weeks later, Gandhi put an end to the Non Cooperation Movement. Although the movement was over, the desire for independence was still burning in the hearts of the people. The act may not have completely wiped out British rule in India forever, but it did last over a long enough period of time to damage Britain’s firm grip on India.
The motive behind Indian independence was in response to the British men’s actions and their promises that they failed to keep. During World War One Indian troops were used as part of the British army in fighting the Central Powers in Europe. To compensate for their duty, the British promised the Indian troops Home Rule after the war. This would allow the Indian government to exercise power among themselves. However, later in 1918 the British revoked the statement. This made the Indians’ blood start to boil, but it was the British oppression that pushed them over the edge. In 1919 British troops killed hundreds of protesters in Amritsar without justification. The same year, the British passed the Rowlatt Acts. These acts extended Britain’s wartime powers. The government was authorized to repress, or imprison, any person to ensure the safety of others. Economic inequality also stimulated the push for independence. The Indian people were not happy because more of their goods were being exported to Great Britain than Great Britain was importing to them as reimbursement. The Indians wanted to be recognized as self-governing, not a weak country that Britain controls.
The injustice of the British led to many protests and boycotts by the Indians. Starting in 1920 Mohandas Gandhi led protests against British law known as the Non Cooperation movement. The key to participation among the citizens was word of mouth. Gandhi and his followers informed others on the non-cooperation movement and civil disobedience. Many Indian citizens gave up their personal titles and honors. Lawyers, doctors and higher personnel quit their jobs too. There was a boycott on government courts, services, educational facilities, and even refusal to pay taxes. The main goal in resisting the British was to be against everything foreign. In 1799 the British banned the importation of Indian cloth to England. The British saw India as a rival to their own textile industry. Wiping out the Indian industry would hopefully strengthen Britain’s. During the movement people were encouraged to spin their own cloth at home. This cloth, known as Khadi, was spun to show that you are a follower of Gandhi and the Satyagraha movement. Seeing India disobey their laws outraged the British, which is exactly what the Indians were hoping for.
As more people joined the march for Indian independence, Gandhi’s hopes for the march were lost. Gandhi planned for the movement to be peaceful and non-violent. On February 5, 1922 a violent mob erupted in the streets. In the midst of all the chaos the mob set fire to twenty-two police officers. Noticing that his project was getting off track, Gandhi appealed to the masses and called for peace. Not wanting violent battles between opposing sides back and forth, three weeks later, Gandhi put an end to the Non Cooperation Movement. Although the movement was over, the desire for independence was still burning in the hearts of the people. The act may not have completely wiped out British rule in India forever, but it did last over a long enough period of time to damage Britain’s firm grip on India.
GANDHI’S SALT MARCH BY SHANNON KLEIN
Although Gandhi’s protest of the British rule through his civil disobedience and satyagraha was peaceful, he was still able to greatly influence and expedite Indian independence. Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian Nationalist whose goal was to help free India from British control, proposed a march to protest the British Salt Acts. The Salt Acts affected people of all classes, regions, ethnicities, and cultures. This march was to be non-violent, as Gandhi believed that this would best capture the attention of their British oppressors. The British Salt Act was one of the many unfair laws enforced upon the Indian people. The Acts made it illegal for Indians to produce or sell salt. Salt was essential to Indian life, as the temperate climate caused much sweating and salt was necessary for metabolism. The Indians were forced to buy it from the British, who charged a large on it. Although this salt monopoly greatly benefitted the British, many Indians could not afford the expensive salt, and suffered financially. Gandhi wanted to oppose the British, and thought that by collecting their own salt, the Indians oppose the British in a non-violent way.
Gandhi's opposition to the British Salt Acts was the central theme of his new campaign of Satyagraha. Satyagraha was policy of non-violent resistance against the British in order to gain political and social reforms. Before Gandhi and his followers set out on their march, Gandhi sent a letter to the viceroy of India. When he received this letter, the viceroy responded and said that the British would not change their policy. The Salt March was not only intended to overthrow the British Raj. It was also a demonstration of an ideal nonviolent society, unlike that of the British. Gandhi’s original followers were 78 male satyagrahis, followers of truth. Although Gandhi did not discriminate against women, he did not allow them to march. The first stop along Gandhi’s Salt March was Dandi, a town on the Arabian Sea. There, Gandhi and his followers planned to collect their own salt from the ocean. As they marched, Gandhi gave many speeches and gained more followers. They progression reached the town of Dandi on April 5, 1930. They arrived to find that the British police had tried to sabotage their protest by burying the salt deposits in the mud. Despite this, Mohandas Gandhi picked up a piece of salt from the mud and by doing so, irrevocably defied British law. This example quickly spread throughout India, and soon supporters in Bombay and Karachi began collecting their own salt.
This first and arguably most important act of civil disobedience caused civil disobedience to break out throughout India. At the same time, a boycott on British cloth was also in effect. The British, understandably, were furious, and began arresting Indians. Even though they arrested Gandhi on May 5, the mass civil disobedience he had started continued. An Indian poet named Sarojina Naidu and 2500 marchers converged on the Dharasana Salt works. Hundreds of Indian policemen led by the British met the marchers there and proceeded to beat the peaceful protestors, who made no attempt to fight back. An American journalist documented this brutality and called international attention to the unfair rule of the British in India.
After Gandhi was released from prison in January 1931, he met with the viceroy of India, Lord Irwin. They agreed that if Gandhi stopped his satyagraha, then Irwin would allow Gandhi to have a negotiating role at a conference in London that met to decide India’s future. Gandhi was the only representative of the Indian National Congress. Although Gandhi did not have any major influence at the conference, the British were forced to recognize him as a force that they could not ignore. Although Mohandas Gandhi’s Salt March did not have any immediate effects, it inspired many Indians to become more active in their opposition of the British Raj and drew international attention to the events unfolding in India.
Gandhi's opposition to the British Salt Acts was the central theme of his new campaign of Satyagraha. Satyagraha was policy of non-violent resistance against the British in order to gain political and social reforms. Before Gandhi and his followers set out on their march, Gandhi sent a letter to the viceroy of India. When he received this letter, the viceroy responded and said that the British would not change their policy. The Salt March was not only intended to overthrow the British Raj. It was also a demonstration of an ideal nonviolent society, unlike that of the British. Gandhi’s original followers were 78 male satyagrahis, followers of truth. Although Gandhi did not discriminate against women, he did not allow them to march. The first stop along Gandhi’s Salt March was Dandi, a town on the Arabian Sea. There, Gandhi and his followers planned to collect their own salt from the ocean. As they marched, Gandhi gave many speeches and gained more followers. They progression reached the town of Dandi on April 5, 1930. They arrived to find that the British police had tried to sabotage their protest by burying the salt deposits in the mud. Despite this, Mohandas Gandhi picked up a piece of salt from the mud and by doing so, irrevocably defied British law. This example quickly spread throughout India, and soon supporters in Bombay and Karachi began collecting their own salt.
This first and arguably most important act of civil disobedience caused civil disobedience to break out throughout India. At the same time, a boycott on British cloth was also in effect. The British, understandably, were furious, and began arresting Indians. Even though they arrested Gandhi on May 5, the mass civil disobedience he had started continued. An Indian poet named Sarojina Naidu and 2500 marchers converged on the Dharasana Salt works. Hundreds of Indian policemen led by the British met the marchers there and proceeded to beat the peaceful protestors, who made no attempt to fight back. An American journalist documented this brutality and called international attention to the unfair rule of the British in India.
After Gandhi was released from prison in January 1931, he met with the viceroy of India, Lord Irwin. They agreed that if Gandhi stopped his satyagraha, then Irwin would allow Gandhi to have a negotiating role at a conference in London that met to decide India’s future. Gandhi was the only representative of the Indian National Congress. Although Gandhi did not have any major influence at the conference, the British were forced to recognize him as a force that they could not ignore. Although Mohandas Gandhi’s Salt March did not have any immediate effects, it inspired many Indians to become more active in their opposition of the British Raj and drew international attention to the events unfolding in India.
CAUSES OF THE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT BY NICK STRICKER
There were many significant events leading up to the civil disobedience movement, many of these occurrences helped start the movement.
First, the English Government appointed the Simon Commission in 1927 to deal with the problems of India. Lord Irvin declared that after the submission of the report by the Simon Commission, the English Government could summon a conference of the representatives of the country in order to contemplate the troubles of India. Gandhi felt very much disappointed with this declaration of the viceroy and decided to begin a movement for the good of the people of India.
Also, in the election of 1929 in England, the Liberal party got the majority and assured India the membership of the Commonwealth of countries immediately. Conversely, Churchill, the leader of the opposition, commented that this declaration was a crime. Therefore, the Government had to take this declaration back. Gandhi took it very seriously and decided to launch a movement against the English government.
Moreover, the people of India did not accept the report of the Simon Commission, and put forward a scheme after the organization of the Nehru Committee before the Government. On the occasion of Calcutta Session in 1928, the English government was given an ultimatum of one year for the recognition of the scheme. It was clearly stated in this ultimatum that in case the English Government did not accept the Nehru Report as it was by December 31, 1929, the Congress would launch a Nonviolent Movement against the Government.
Additionally, before the expiry of the ultimatum period, on December 23, 1929, Gandhi had a talk with the viceroy along with the leaders like Motilal Nehru and Sardar Patel. But he did not give any assurance to the leaders in any way that might allow the movement to be averted.
Furthermore, after the expiration of the period of ultimatum, the Lahore Session of the Congress proved to be very significant in the history of the Congress. Also, as a result of the Lahore Session of the Congress, a proposal of complete swaraj was passed. It was also declared on this occasion, "Freedom is our birth right", in any situation that the government snatches the swaraj, the government would attempt to destroy it forcibly. They declared by oath that they should follow all the commands that are given to us by the Congress. Thus, all the members of the Congress Committee took a firm decision to oppose the English Government whole-heartedly. Mahatma Gandhi was authorized to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement in the Lahore session of the Congress. Before the beginning of the movement, Gandhi once again wrote a letter to the Viceroy, but having failed to receive an appropriate response, he resorted to the Civil Disobedience Movement.
First, the English Government appointed the Simon Commission in 1927 to deal with the problems of India. Lord Irvin declared that after the submission of the report by the Simon Commission, the English Government could summon a conference of the representatives of the country in order to contemplate the troubles of India. Gandhi felt very much disappointed with this declaration of the viceroy and decided to begin a movement for the good of the people of India.
Also, in the election of 1929 in England, the Liberal party got the majority and assured India the membership of the Commonwealth of countries immediately. Conversely, Churchill, the leader of the opposition, commented that this declaration was a crime. Therefore, the Government had to take this declaration back. Gandhi took it very seriously and decided to launch a movement against the English government.
Moreover, the people of India did not accept the report of the Simon Commission, and put forward a scheme after the organization of the Nehru Committee before the Government. On the occasion of Calcutta Session in 1928, the English government was given an ultimatum of one year for the recognition of the scheme. It was clearly stated in this ultimatum that in case the English Government did not accept the Nehru Report as it was by December 31, 1929, the Congress would launch a Nonviolent Movement against the Government.
Additionally, before the expiry of the ultimatum period, on December 23, 1929, Gandhi had a talk with the viceroy along with the leaders like Motilal Nehru and Sardar Patel. But he did not give any assurance to the leaders in any way that might allow the movement to be averted.
Furthermore, after the expiration of the period of ultimatum, the Lahore Session of the Congress proved to be very significant in the history of the Congress. Also, as a result of the Lahore Session of the Congress, a proposal of complete swaraj was passed. It was also declared on this occasion, "Freedom is our birth right", in any situation that the government snatches the swaraj, the government would attempt to destroy it forcibly. They declared by oath that they should follow all the commands that are given to us by the Congress. Thus, all the members of the Congress Committee took a firm decision to oppose the English Government whole-heartedly. Mahatma Gandhi was authorized to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement in the Lahore session of the Congress. Before the beginning of the movement, Gandhi once again wrote a letter to the Viceroy, but having failed to receive an appropriate response, he resorted to the Civil Disobedience Movement.