At first glance, these two historical figures could not seem more distant. Mohandas Gandhi campaigned a universal and tolerant version of religion and upheld these beliefs through his political movement. In contrast, Osama bin Laden has been credited for creating an antagonistic and combative interpretation of traditional Islam that led to some of the most gruesome acts of terror observed in the twenty first century. Although both of their ideals stand on opposite ends of the spectrum, they both achieved an influential status as religious and political leaders. Both can be credited for provoking thousands of people to act on their behalf. Although their ideologies were vastly different, these two men can both be regarded as religious extremists who made strides within their own political agendas. Gandhi once stated, “Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is” (“Preface”). Both men used religion to convey a heavy and distinct political argument, although their practices are poles apart. Gandhi joined the leadership of the Indian National Congress; the political body that advocated India’s independence from Great Britain (“Mohandas”). By doing so, he was able to gain a platform big enough to consciously and efficiently spread his religious demonstrations of non-violence. Gandhi endorsed the principle of ahimsa to the practice of his resistance campaigns. He did not advocate the term passive resistance, but instead labeled
Mohandas Gandhi’s methods not only led to India’s independence from Britain but also had victories over racial
Mohandas Gandhi was born in 1869 in the Indian coastal city of Porbandar (Background Essay). He then studied law in London, where he noticed that Indians were expected to imitate their rulers, the Englishmen (Background Essay). Gandhi wanted all people to live free, even those imposed by India’s caste system so he decided to take action in a peaceful manner (Background Essay). By doing so he was able to gain India’s independence in 1947 (Background Essay). This caused Gandhi to be known as “ Mahatma” or “ Great Soul” because he was able to do it without violence (Background Essay). Gandhi’s nonviolent movement worked because he accepted the consequences to his actions, strived for fairness to all mankind, and didn’t think of the British as enemies.
Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, politician, social activist and writer who would lead the independence movement of India to free the country of British rule (“Mahatma Gandhi,” 2017). He would prove that a single person could change the course of history and take on the entire British Empire. Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence and civil disobedience are attributed to his success in gaining independence for India. The act of passive resistance allowed Gandhi to generate more support for his movement for independence while making it difficult for the British to find reasons to arrest them. He argued that although violence could be more effective than peaceful
In 1757, Great Britain extended its empire into India. This occupation would not fully end until 1947. In the time between, there were many movements by the Indian people to gain independence from the British. The movement that finally succeeded in winning India’s independence was led by one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Gandhi’s methods for fighting against the occupation of the British were very different from those of any of the freedom movements before. And that was why it worked. Gandhi did not agree with the general reasoning of the time: that conflicts could be solved through negotiation and forceful resistance.1 Rather, his faith led him to go
Throughout history, violent reformation movements were traditionally used, but non-violence has been proven just as effective. Gandhi was one of the first to use peaceful resistance and civil disobedience to successfully change India. Civil Disobedience is the active refusal to obey laws set by the government with Nonviolent resistance and respectful disagreement. He used this concept to fight off not only the colonial rule but also racial discrimination and social divisions such as the untouchables in society. Mohandas Gandhi was born in India in 1869. At the age of 19 he went to London to study Law and he was impressed by English laws.His ambition to gain India's independence of all class, wealth, and educational distinction was successful.
Mahatma Gandhi was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule. He proposed a speech to all of his followers explaining what his resolution was to gain independence, without using violence. Mahatma Gandhi adopts a subtle and affirmative tone while revealing that non violence and the spreading of love is the way to approach this movement for independence. He also portrays his outline for the movement by appealing to the audience's emotions.
M.K. Gandhi was an Indian who protested successfully against Britain and ultimately influenced future events around the world. Gandhi’s most successful tactic to gain Indian independence was “Satyagraha” or passive resistance because the majority of society would disagree with the opponent, they will continue to protest no matter what, and it was successfully used in the Salt March. Firstly, using this tactic, about 80 Indian citizens were publically brutalized by British authorities which greatly influenced the world against them because an eyewitness wrote and sent thousands of newspapers, talking about British police brutality, around the world. For example, in Source 3 the text says, “Webb Miller’s eyewitness account was published in over a thousand newspapers around the world.”
Both men touted themselves as protectors of the weak. They use their religious Maximalist views in their speeches appealing to other Maximalists of their shared religion. Bin Laden called for Islam to stand up and fight against the infidels. This is similar to Jerry Fallwell's call for a "revival."
It is our inability to understand the true nature of conflict that has resulted in both the tragic loss of life and our failure to achieve anything remotely resembling victory after tragedy. Gandhi is one of the most revered pacifists in history and Bin Laden, one of the most reviled villains. One man, was willing to sacrifice his life rather than lift a finger to hurt another soul. The other is willing to kill thousands to achieve his ends. However, once you let go of the moral considerations, there are, in fact, many similarities. Not in goals or philosophies but in how their tactics manipulate the world.
Gandhi was born in 1869, while Bin Laden wasn’t born until 1957. Although not in the same location, both Gandhi and Bin Laden were born in the Middle East. As children they were both pushed to succeed and do great things in life, nevertheless they were both quite shy. Osama Bin Laden was urged to become self-sufficient at an early age. Additionally, Gandhi
Ahimsa, the Hindu principle of nonviolence toward all living things. An idea first adopted by Gandhi during his fight for India's independence from British rule in 1947. A revolutionary idea which emphasized nonviolence, in the fight for peace. The idea was then adopted by Martin Luther King, and Lewis in during the 1960s in their fight to desegregate establishments across America. Now, there were many within the Civil Rights Movement that felt that King and Lewis’ methods were too forceful, many who called for more negotiation, many who were complacent with the state of things. Inversely, many felt Lewis and King were too timid, to them nonviolence was at times a joke, many such as Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X who touted more violent
When one thinks of Mahatma Gandhi and Osama bin Laden, they might think of two people who would be considered polar opposites. By just scratching the surface of the history of these two historical figures, it may appear that they are completely different from each other. But, digging deeper shows that Mahatma and Osama have more in common than anyone could have imagined. Both Gandhi and bin Laden inspired people to follow them in their movements against their opposition and were powerful enough to be noticed worldwide. Their early adult lives both contained incidents of rejection and failure that shaped them into the people that they became. However, many people believe these two were very contrasting in their methods of protest, one violent and the other peaceful. Despite popular belief, Gandhi and bin Laden are more alike than most people realize.
Aroused by the massacre of Amritsar in 1919, Gandhi devoted his life to gaining India’s independence from Great Britain. As the dominant figure used his persuasive philosophy of non-violent confrontation, he inspired political activists with many persuasions throughout the world (Andrews 23). Not only was Mahatma Gandhi a great peacemaker, but also his work to achieve freedom and equality for all people was greatly acknowledged. Gandhi’s unconventional style of leadership gained him the love of a country and eventually enabled him to lead the independence movement in India.
Instead, from its onset, Islam spread as a conquering power and remained that way for some time. Explaining it this way, the reader gets a sense of the psychology behind Islam and why, besides being a religious task, spreading Islam is such a goal. By showing the issues Islam faces today in the context of past Islamic traditions, Lewis paints a much clearer picture of the skewed view today’s radicals have and the way they use history to manipulate. He examines influential Muslim voices like Saddam Hussein and Usama Bin Laden, who have used history to give Islam victim status or to claim the continuance of a predecessor’s mission to not only justify terrorist activities, but also to recruit followers. He tells the history of Bin Laden’s statement referring to the “humiliation and disgrace” Islam supposedly has suffered. What Bin Laden was referring to was the defeat of the Ottoman sultanate in 1918 and the imperial presence of Westerners on sacred Muslim lands. Lewis explains the offense many Muslims take to the desecration of their holy lands by foreigners. He describes how the discovery and exploitation of oil in the Holy Land of the Hijaz has exacerbated the growing resentment many Muslims
Another trait Gandhi possessed due to his religion was courage. Mahatma Gandhi had no fear. To Gandhi fearlessness was an imperative part of religion. He even described religion by saying, “Where there is fear there is no religion” (“Young India, 2-9-'26,” 308). Further, Gandhi believed this courage to follow one’s beliefs improved all aspects of life. Gandhi once said, “Religion which takes no account of practical affairs and does not help to solve them, is no religion” (“Young India, 7-5-'25,” 164). Religion to Gandhi required an effect on everyday life. Gandhi had no fear and allowed religion to affect his daily affairs. This was imperative to the many radical movements and ideas Gandhi proposed. When he founded the Natal Indian Congress at twenty-five, he was a tabula rasa: he tried out ideas which in an established political organization would have been directly laughed at (Nanda, Shri B. R). However, due to his fearlessness, even when faced with defeat, Gandhi pushed onwards. He stated, “Defeat cannot dishearten me. It can only chasten me. I know that God will guide me” (“Young India, 3-7-'24,” 218). And by pushing onwards, Gandhi was able to see change in India and change in the world. Furthermore, because of his faith in God, Gandhi was not scared of other physical dangers. He stated, “God saves me so long as He wants me in this body. The moment His wants are satisfied, no precautions on my part will save me” (“Bapu's Letters to Mira,” 91). Gandhi wasn’t afraid,