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How Did Gandhi Contribute To The French Revolution

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On August 8th, 1942 Mahatma Gandhi, the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India, delivered a fascinating speech called Quit India. During this period in time, poverty was a stark reality within India. People slowly began to realize that their poverty was not generated by them, but by the British Empire. At that time the British Empire had colonized India causing multiple problems, such as a lack of education and a loss of national identity. Thus, out of desperation, the people of India started independence movements including both violent and nonviolent acts to free themselves from British rule. Gandhi tried to persuade people to participate in the non-violent independence movements by delivering multiple speeches in …show more content…

Towards the end of the speech Gandhi talks about how throughout history, when it comes to power and revolutions, many things have not changed. He then continues by talking about his thoughts when he was in prison. Gandhi then states, “I read Carlyle’s French Revolution while I was in prison…it is my conviction that inasmuch as these struggles were fought with the weapon of violence they failed to realize the democratic ideal” (Gandhi n.pg). In this section of the speech Gandhi alludes to the French Revolution, a three volume historical narrative, written by a scottish historian named Thomas Carlyle. He adds this outside source into his speech because he is comparing the French Revolution to the times his people are currently living in. During the French Revolution much violence and hatred was incorporated into trying to overthrow the current monarchy, but with the violent attempts almost nothing was accomplished. Gandhi used this allusion to compare the Revolution to the current situation in India, and also to persuade people that violence and anger would not solve their problems, because it didn't resolve any during the 1790’s. It also insists that the use of violence will lead to the demise of India, as more problems will arise and engulf the country in chaos. Both the metaphors and allusions he uses within his speech represent the

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