Mahatma Gandhi Concept Map

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

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Biography Concept map

By: Sahra Omer

Early Life:

General Information

• During his youth, Gandhi was a very timid, introverted, mediocre student. He described himself to be an obedient child although he regretfully stole and smoked as a youth. One of the most interesting facts of his life was that he married when he was thirteen years old in an arranged marriage. He had five children, the first dying two days after birth.

Born: October 2, 1869

Died: January 30, 1948

• On September 1888, at age 18, Gandhi immigrated to London, England. In order to study to become a lawyer, he left his wife and children in India. He worked hard in his studies and attempted to fit into an English lifestyle as much as possible. Gandhi learned to live a simple and frugal lifestyle, and his studies set a foundation for his later beliefs.

• Considered the father of the Indian Independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi spent the majority of his life working to limit discrimination South Africa.

• He later graduated in 1891, and headed back to India another two years later. His lack of knowledge of India and self-confidence at trial limited his ability to implement what he had learned. Because of this, Gandhi was offered a life long position in South Africa, to which he was thankful for, and accepted the offer.

• Known for Leadership of Indian independence movement, philosophy of Satyagraha, Ahimsa or nonviolence

Changes as a Result of Change

• Gandhi’s efforts had been recognized all over the world, as there were articles featuring him in India as well as in England. He quickly became the leader of the Indian community in South Africa and established the Natal Indian Congress. He also developed the Indian Ambulance Corp with involved Indians giving aid and health care to injured British soldiers in South Africa during the Boer War. He also developed and led the Salt March, which involved thousands of Indians going on a 250-mile march for independence from the British in India.

Sacrifices for Change

• One of the many sacrifices Gandhi had to make while working for change was his substantial amount of time away from his family. He had spent over twenty years without them as he generally did not have time or money to formally return to India to visit them. Also, Gandhi’s actions were distorted and exaggerated in his pamphlet of Indian grievances, and was attacked by mobs. His ship was confiscated for almost a month, and often had rock, eggs, and fists thrown at him. He was also jailed for two years, and fasted 21-days as a penance for violence. However, these events only strengthened his presence in South Africa.

Works Cited:

"Gandhi - Biography of Mahatma Gandhi."About.com 20th Century History. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.

<http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/a/gandhi.htm>.

Whipps, Heather. "How Gandhi Changed the World." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 8 Sept. 2008. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.

<http://www.livescience.com/2851-gandhi-changed-world.html>.

Present day Impacts

• Present day, Gandhi’s action are recognized all over the world, and his activism had benefited South Africa greatly as discrimination has been limited significantly. Gandhi proved that one man has the power to take on even the biggest of empires, with stirring speeches and non-violent protests. His greatest present day impact, in India, was gaining civil rights and independence from the British in 1947. Internationally, he is viewed a powerful, potent, inspirational figure than many look up to, even after his death. Unfortunately, on January 30, 1948, Gandhi was shot three times and killed at age 78.

Inspiration for Change

• It was in South Africa that Gandhi was inspired to make change for what he believed to be injustice, and where altered from a quiet, introverted young man to potent and resilient leader. On the way to work, Gandhi was forced to transfer to a third-class train, even after he refused. After discovering that these types of incidents were common among South Africa’s Indian population, Gandhi decided he would not let these injustices continue. He was going to fight these discriminatory practices. Also, he was inspired by the book “Unto the Last” by John Ruskin, who had similar beliefs to Gandhi.