What Was the Role and Influence of Gandhi?

  • Campaigned in South Africa in 1890s-1910s for rights of Indians settled in the area against British and Boers,
  • Returned to India in 1915 and became president of Indian National Congress. Travelled country, supported popular protests and mediated disputes. Began campaigning for full independence after the Amritsar massacre.
  • Organised Non-Co-Operation Movement of 1920, the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930-31 and 1932-34 (The Salt March also known as satyagraha, over 80,000 jailed), Quit India Movement of 1942 (where thousands attacked railway stations, post offices, destroyed police stations and government buildings).
  • Imprisoned by British and strongly opposed partition of India. Expressed basic principles for Indian Home-Rule in 1909 and believed in satyagraha à peaceful protest.
  • Preached harmonious relations between Hindus and Muslims arguing tolerance should be cemented. Rejected divisions amongst caste system and wanted India to remain predominantly agricultural, building India on spiritual principles.
  • Significant as he enhanced the idea of an ‘Indian’ identity, ignoring principles of culture and religion à western, Liberal values. Hard for British to condemn his ‘non-violent protest’ methods as otherwise they’d look oppressive.

Significant also as even Hitler said to Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax in 1937 that to stop Indian nationalism, they should ‘shoot Gandhi’.