Gandhi - Early Years

Question 1

When and What was the first Indian association created?

Who was the leader and what were their views?

Answer 1

1885:
Indian National Congress
Annie Besant, moderate ideals and autonomy (with consent from England)

Question 2

What were the main changes following the Sepoy Rebellion?

Answer 2

Universities created:
Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai

New Professions: Journalism, Law

Indian Consciousness of their rights

Question 3

What was a major factor in delaying independance

Answer 3

A division amongst population. Nationalism often represented Hinduism, not Islam.

Also, English Leaders and Indian Apathy

Question 4

When was, and what caused the Second Indian Rebellion?

Answer 4

1905: Government divides Bengal

They said it was to ease administration, but it was really to prevent people (politicians) from uniting

Question 5

What were the results of the Second Indian Rebellion

Answer 5

2 years of unrest
People sent to island prisons
Country divided between Moderate and Nationalist

Question 6

When and where was Gandhi born?

Answer 6

1869 in Gujarat

Question 7

Describe Gandhi’s family

Answer 7

High cast, but not Brahmin
Youngest of 4 children
Traditional: vegetarian, no alcohol

Question 8

At what age was Gandhi married? When did they have their first kid?

Answer 8

Married at 13, first kid at 15

Question 9

Why didn’t his family want Gandhi to go to London?

Answer 9

His cast wouldn’t be recognized, but he promises to be faithful to traditions and wife.

Question 10

What happens for Gandhi when he is in London?

Answer 10

He studies law for 3 years
Wants to become citizen
Adopts the culture (suits, dance, violin)
Joins theosophical Society and discovers the Bible and other Religions

Question 11

What happens when Gandhi returns from Law School?

Answer 11

He can’t find a job due to over-saturation of lawyers, decides to go to South Africa for 1 year

Question 12

How long does Gandhi stay in South Africa?

Answer 12

20 years

Question 13

What were the 4 states in South Africa where Indians could live?

Answer 13

Cap, Natal, Transvaal, Orang

Question 14

What were the difference between Rich Indians and Poor ones?

Answer 14

Rich Indian Merchants from Gujarat could buy the right to vote; could own land in Natal

Poor Indiand were basically slaves on plantations

Question 15

What happened during Gandhi’s commute to SA?

Answer 15

He bought a first-class ticket, but was told to go to 3rd class because of his skin colour. He refused.

Question 16

Why did Gandhi stay in SA for so long?

Answer 16

Laws changed:
Indians right to vote suppressed
Workers can’t stay freely after 5-year contact
Can’t move freely between states
All 10 fingerprints required for ID (usually reserved for criminals)
Only Christian marriages valis

Question 17

What did Gandhi create in SA as a means of protest?

Answer 17

A journal: The Indian Opinion

Question 18

When his journal failed to convince the Indian Congress of Natal, what did Gandhi do?

Answer 18

Disobey discriminatory laws
Non-Violent Protests
Calls for everyone to burn their IDS
Becomes a political leader

Question 19

What were the conditions of the communes created by Gandhi

Answer 19

No casts or distinctions
Everyone is equal, equal work (including his wife)
He begins to fast at times as a means of protest

Question 20

When did Gandhi return to India? What was his role?

Answer 20

1914: WWI

He acted as a pilgrim, delivering food from village to village

Question 21

What association does Gandhi join during the war and why? What were his views?

Answer 21

India National Congress, because after the ware, there’d be no leaders left.

Question 22

What was the populace opinion of Gandhi when he returned from SA?

Answer 22

Popular for not being a Brahmin
Not too modernist
Preferred traditional manual labour (better for poor people)
Popular amongst young and old generations.

Question 23

What important event occurs in 1917, establishing Gandhi’s importance?

Answer 23

A year of no monsoons
Peasants can’t pay taxes, so they ask Gandhi to intervene
He goes on a hunger strike, and the government compromises because of his importance

Question 24

After the war, what does the government do? How does Gandhi react? What are the consequences?

Answer 24

They decide to keep wartime laws
Gandhi gathers masses to boycott and pray
Non-violent protest, no one works
Amritsar: General Dyer orders soldiers to fire on protestors in city square; >400 dead.

Question 25

What was Gandhi’s main hope for the people of India

Answer 25

To unite Hindus & Muslims

Question 26

What did Jinnah create, and what was the goal?

Answer 26

The Muslim league

To create Pakistan