Gandhi, King, and Mandela: What Made Non-Violence Work? All through history governments and empires have been overthrown or defeated primarily by the violence of those who oppose them. This violence was usually successful however, there have been several situations, when violence failed, that protesters have had to turn to other methods. Non-violent protesting never seemed to be the right course of action until the ideology of Mohandas Gandhi spread and influenced successful protests across the world. Non-violent methods were successfully used, most notably, by Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela. Mohandas Gandhi’s methods not only led to India’s independence from Britain but also had victories over racial …show more content…
6) however, like Gandhi, he encouraged the volunteers not to retaliate. Mandela spent 26 years and 8 months in jail as punishment for his protesting however, he felt that “no sacrifice was too great in the struggle for freedom” (Doc. 9). He spent time in jail with other protesters that all felt that “whatever sentences [they] received, even the death sentence… [their] deaths would not be in vain” (Doc. 9). Freedom for the South African people from apartheid finally came in 1993. To Mandela this was not just the freedom of his people but “the freedom of all people, black and white” (Doc. 12). “South Africa’s New Democracy” rose after years of continuous nonviolence from the populace. Gandhi, King, and Mandela each fought for their causes with a method that was very rarely used but even less rarely successful. Their efforts at peaceful protest without retaliation to attacks were successful in overthrowing trans-continental rule and ending segregation of races. Gandhi transformed the idea of non-violence into a way to fight for freedom and justice which would ultimately end in success and
In the 1960s, many of the colonial nations of Africa were gaining independence. The ANC was encouraged and campaigned for democracy in South Africa. They were mild campaigns at first, but as the government became more hostile, so did ANC protests. In November 1961, a military branch of the party was organized with Mandela as its head. It authorized the limited use of arms and sabotage against the government, which got the government’s attention—and its anger! Mandela went into hiding in 1964, he was captured, tried, and sentenced to life imprisonment. It was a sad day for black South Africa.
Throughout history there has been struggles between those being oppressed and the oppressors. Some of these struggles have been bloody, gruesome and violent while on the other hand some have been nonviolent and peaceful. Various methods have been used in order to make a stand against those that are in power. Mainly when a group of individuals come together violently or nonviolently they are able to create change and get their message across. Using nonviolent actions much can be achieved such as changes in government policies, challenge injustice, and can weaken a dictatorship. While the struggles of nonviolence differ around time, era, and groups the works an example of Mahatma Gandhi delivers different methods of nonviolence. In the novel
Throughout modern history, Britain’s exponential growth inevitably affected the future of many nations in the contemporary world- in particular, the culturally intertwined state of India. Even in the initial stages of colonisation, India was forcefully occupied by the British East India Company; however, it was not until 1858 that a dictatorship was officially announced and the nation was forced to regard England as 'the true homeland'. Amidst societal unease and a growing discontent with the British rulers by the poor peasants, India's emancipation seemed inevitable in order for the nation to truly progress. In effect, a revolutionary leader spawned; Mohandas Gandhi. His great philosophical mind held innovative ideas which were instrumental in the achievement of Indian Independence- with his thoughtful ideologies and beliefs paving the way for oppressed Indians to ultimately unite against British imperialism. Consequently, this resulted in the monumental Satyagraha campaign that triumphed successfully against the British authorities.
Violation of laws was the first ingredient in making non-violence work because it showed how the people who were victimized by the laws really felt about the laws. Gandhi had to rebel against the laws when he wanted the Salt Laws to change; he wrote a letter saying “ if my letter makes no appeal to your heart, on the eleventh day of this month I shall proceed….. To disregard the Salt Laws.”(Doc.1) While, Dr.King violated laws when he sat at a lunch counter, he claimed his purpose for doing it was “to bring the whole issue of racial injustice under the scrutiny of the conscience of Atlanta.”(Doc. 2) Lastly, Mandela broke some laws as well when he told his supporters “that volunteering (for the Defiance of Unjust Laws campaign) was a difficult
Harassed, beaten, jailed. Three great leaders fought for their rights through thick and thin, without physically hurting the opposition; these men were Gandhi, Mandela, and King. Here they each faced the problem of inequality and achieved their goal peacefully moreover without harm to their oppressors. They drew attention to their respective plights and converted others to help their cause. Nonviolence implies that the participants will protest without the use of harm to their opponents notwithstanding of what harm falls upon them; they will not even raise a hand to protect themselves from said harm. Nonviolence works because King, Gandhi, and Mandela applied economic pressure, performed civil disobedience, and appealed to conscience; which
A chapter in history can start by the acts of one powerful, passionate, and intelligent human being. Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. are great examples of individuals that turned the tide of history. Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were similar in many ways; they both believe that non-violent methods were more effective and efficient, they both believed in equality, giving people second chances and forgiveness. Though they had many similarities there was one key difference that differentiated the two, their religion. “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.
Gandhi would later be successful in his protest. Here citizens show their power against the government and are the main role players the the civil disobedience game. Even though the true involvement of the government and citizens is different at times in their games they still work hand and hand to each other to keep the amount of power
There is a lot of discussion about if passive resistance and nonviolent protests are the best way to bring about social change. The people who agree with this idea, such as Gandhi himself or Martin Luther King Jr., they were able to push their agendas with these methods and still be successful. Although it took some time for what they wanted to happen, they still came in time with patience. For example, when South African law required Indians to carry identity documents and to be fingerprinted, Gandhi encouraged Indians to openly disobey the act by picketing major government offices and burning identification papers, even though he faced jail time for this act, but he still persisted this for 8 years. Another example is when Gandhi refused
Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi both share the same philosophies on their approach to non-violence and directly opposing injustice, nonetheless, they have distinct methods to fight injustice, such as the fact that Gandhi used more extreme tactics while King’s techniques were more passive. Given these points, Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi are perfect examples of individuals who represent fighting for the good life, not only did they fight for themselves, but also for the people around them. When King and Gandhi stood up to the injustice taking place, they both used methods of nonviolence, though they had different ways of fighting it. Martin Luther King’s philosophy towards violence was very strategic.
Since the dawn of mankind, there has been a struggle for power that has engulfed our race in a never ending conflict. Whether it has been a war or an internal conflict, our race has often chosen violence and death over peaceful resolutions. However, this is definitely not the case for some of the most important figures in the history of our race. Mahatmas Ghandi, the key figure of Indian independence from the United Kingdom, implored his people and followers to refrain from ever committing acts of violence in the name of life and liberty. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil Rights crusader from the 1960s, fought for the civil rights of all African Americans without ever imposing violence on any of his opponents. Of course civil disobedience
A key factor in the success of the Civil Rights Movement was the idea of using non-violent resistance. Non-violent resistance is the method of accomplishing one's goal by protest, civil disobedience, economic or political non-cooperation, satyagraha, and other practices that do not involve any violence. Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr.’s non-violent resistance was inspired by the guidance of the Indian Leader Mahatma Gandhi. Throughout the 1930s and 40s, Mahatma Gandhi led India's independence from the British rule by communicating to them softly, stirring speeches, and many non-violent protests. He is one of the 20th century's most important figures and continues to be admired in India as a father of the society. King says that
Broken windows, car alarms, smoke in the air, the frantic screams of those who are attacked by the raids of police officers are what come with the world of violent protest. Violent protest to a variety of people may lead to a conclusion, but not for all of them. With nonviolent protest our words are used as our weapons. We speak with the freedom of the first amendment, the right to civil disobedience and the satisfaction that we solved our issues in a justifiable manner. All around the globe we crave the immediate satisfaction of emotional rebellion regardless of the impact, which is why nonviolent protest is more effective than violent protest.
In a real sense, Mahatma Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are inherent in the moral structure of the universe. These principles are as inescapable as the law of gravitation”. Thus, the relevance of nonviolent resistance in violent situations weakens the aggressor and emboldens the oppressed. This was highlighted in Gandhi’s nonviolent independent movement and King’s peaceful civil right movements in the United States. The bottom line is that, the British possessed enormous military, economic and political power to trash any local resistance in Indian decisively and quickly. Victory for the British in the India subcontinent during the independence struggle would be certain, taking the asymmetrical relations between the British and Gandhi’s civil resistance movements. The same circumstances apply to Martin Luther King’s nonviolent civil movements. As Gandhi’s programs made perorations within the English policies in India, so do United States policies towards its black population also expose them to international public
What tactics are used by famous non violent protesters.India is being controlled by the british.gandhi's parents thought him all life is precious gandhi's got his education in england when he returned he didn't like the caste system so he became untouchable and gain more respect from the people and gain more respect from the majority .what make gandhi's nonviolent movement work. Gandhi's nonviolent movement was a successful at riddling the british from india of british by using tactics,civil disobedience, willing to serving jail team and embracing the enemy by showing respect to the opinions.
Gandhi was willing to risk jail , torture and even death to achieve freedom for India. Gandhi believed it was okay to die, but not to kill for it. Many wanted revenge but gandhi called for peace.Gandhi would nonviolent protest leading to civil disobedience. He fought against race discrimination in south africa, Won his first civil disobedience for India at Champaran, A non violent tax revolt in Kheda,Mahatma Gandhi was the leading figure responsible for India achieving independence Gandhi inspired many others to achieve movements such as Martin Luther King, Leading for blacks and other dark skins to be united and treated equally. He freed India from its injustice