Salt March
In 1930, British imperialism raises awareness across India. Because of this, Gandhi offered a daring challenge in order to end the British salt monopoly. The British claimed the sole right to produce and sell salt, as well as controlled the salt trade completely. Britain embedded taxes and many laws surrounding this product because it was so valuable and nourishable, and it essentially made the process of selling and producing salt illegal without British consent. In addition, Indians were also forbidden to touch the natural salt within the sea; they could only purchase salt sold by the government. With this, it only added to the oppression the Indians felt under Britain control. To Gandhi, the government salt monopoly was an evil burden on the poor and was a symbol of British oppression. In order to gain independence, Gandhi organized a march to Dandi to defy the British and would soon condemn the British rule as a “curse.” On March 12th, Gandhi fulfilled his challenge and set out on a 240-mile march to the sea. The Salt March to Dandi is essentially an example of civil disobedience.
With 78 followers, they meandered through villages and many listened to Gandhi’s message during the travel. All the peasants prayed for the protestor’s success, and some even joined the procession. By the time they reached the sea, the number of supporters of Ghandi reached in the thousands. The world interrogated Gandhi’s salt march, and questioned what would happen after he broke the law. On April 6th, Gandhi faced his fear and bravely took a lump of sea salt from the sea. In conclusion, this led to havoc. Gandhi’s actions influenced many villagers to start collecting salt from the sea, even though it was illegal. Soon enough, congress party leaders sold salt on city streets and displayed it to huge allies but as a consequence, went to jail. However this salt march showed that the Indians would not back down from Britain. It initially embarrassed Britain, which took pride in its democratic traditions. Furthermore, Gandhi’s campaign of nonviolence and the sacrifice of his followers slowly forced Britain to step down and agree to hand over some power to the Indians and to meet other demands of the Congress party. The Salt March increased the Indian’s independence from Britain. This enabled India to finally gain their freedom from Britain in 1947.
Review Questions:
1) Why was the Salt March a significant turning point in India's history?
2) Who led the Salt March?
3) What events in history led to the revolution of the Salt March?
Citations:
-"Salt March." D@dalos: Civic, Peace and Democracy Education (A Project by Pharos E.V.). 7 Dec. 2003. Web. 09 Mar. 2012.
-"Salt March." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 6 Mar. 2013.
-“Salt March.” 2013. The History Channel website. Mar 6 2013, 10:15 http://www.history.com/topics/salt-march.\
Primary Sources:
"Jeff: Revolutions Honors." : The Significance of Gandhi's Salt March. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013.
In 1930, British imperialism raises awareness across India. Because of this, Gandhi offered a daring challenge in order to end the British salt monopoly. The British claimed the sole right to produce and sell salt, as well as controlled the salt trade completely. Britain embedded taxes and many laws surrounding this product because it was so valuable and nourishable, and it essentially made the process of selling and producing salt illegal without British consent. In addition, Indians were also forbidden to touch the natural salt within the sea; they could only purchase salt sold by the government. With this, it only added to the oppression the Indians felt under Britain control. To Gandhi, the government salt monopoly was an evil burden on the poor and was a symbol of British oppression. In order to gain independence, Gandhi organized a march to Dandi to defy the British and would soon condemn the British rule as a “curse.” On March 12th, Gandhi fulfilled his challenge and set out on a 240-mile march to the sea. The Salt March to Dandi is essentially an example of civil disobedience.
With 78 followers, they meandered through villages and many listened to Gandhi’s message during the travel. All the peasants prayed for the protestor’s success, and some even joined the procession. By the time they reached the sea, the number of supporters of Ghandi reached in the thousands. The world interrogated Gandhi’s salt march, and questioned what would happen after he broke the law. On April 6th, Gandhi faced his fear and bravely took a lump of sea salt from the sea. In conclusion, this led to havoc. Gandhi’s actions influenced many villagers to start collecting salt from the sea, even though it was illegal. Soon enough, congress party leaders sold salt on city streets and displayed it to huge allies but as a consequence, went to jail. However this salt march showed that the Indians would not back down from Britain. It initially embarrassed Britain, which took pride in its democratic traditions. Furthermore, Gandhi’s campaign of nonviolence and the sacrifice of his followers slowly forced Britain to step down and agree to hand over some power to the Indians and to meet other demands of the Congress party. The Salt March increased the Indian’s independence from Britain. This enabled India to finally gain their freedom from Britain in 1947.
Review Questions:
1) Why was the Salt March a significant turning point in India's history?
2) Who led the Salt March?
3) What events in history led to the revolution of the Salt March?
Citations:
-"Salt March." D@dalos: Civic, Peace and Democracy Education (A Project by Pharos E.V.). 7 Dec. 2003. Web. 09 Mar. 2012.
-"Salt March." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 6 Mar. 2013.
-“Salt March.” 2013. The History Channel website. Mar 6 2013, 10:15 http://www.history.com/topics/salt-march.\
Primary Sources:
"Jeff: Revolutions Honors." : The Significance of Gandhi's Salt March. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013.