Four Historical Occasions of Non Violent Protest - 2166 Words

The 20th Century saw many civil resistance movements that made change by implementing a system of education in their non-violent protest strategies. This paper will be looking at: Gandhi and the struggle for Indian Independence (specifically 1907-1947), African American U.S. Civil Rights Movement (specifically 1960-1967), South African Apartheid (specifically 1976-1994), and the Northern Ireland Republicans held at Long Kesh Prison (1976-1985). These four struggles demonstrate that knowledge is powerful, and can be to used to either endure, or better fight, or at best end violence and oppression. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (also know as Mahatma, meaning â€Å"Great Soul†) is celebrated as the father of the Indian independence movement, and the†¦show more content†¦After Gandhi began spinning his own yarn during his speeches, the spinning wheel became a symbol for Indian independence (Nojeim, 113). One of Gandhi’s greatest protests against the British colonial government was the Salt March of 1929 (Nojeim, 140). The nationwide protest against the tax on salt was organized in response to a denial to grant India the status of Commonwealth (Nojeim, 140). While there were many British taxes, Gandhi knew this particular tax to be especially unjust (Nojeim, 141). The salt tax exploited India’s poor because salt is used in everyday cooking, and yet the colonial laws had made it illegal to own salt which had not been sold or produced by the British government (Nojeim, 141). The Salt March became a nationwide campaign to protest the salt tax, followed by a national undertaking for Indians to make and sell their own salt (Nojeim, 142). Through this campaign, Gandhi taught protestors to create the world of fairness they all hoped was possible. The campaign resulted in thousands of Indians marching, but the British government dealt with the peaceful protest by enforcing mass arrests of the demonstrators (Nojeim, 142). Gandhi was imprisoned without trial, however 2,500 of his followers continued the march in non-violent resistance to the unjust laws (Nojeim, 143). British military officers attacked the protesters in an attempt to derail Gandhi’s followers continuing the Salt March (Nojeim, 144). When the marchers did notShow MoreRelatedRedefining Structure: Social Stratification in MLK’s â€Å"Letters from Birmingham Jail† 1723 Words   |  7 Pageswas an eloquent speaker and a powerful figure during the Civil Rights Movement. In â€Å"Letters from Birmingham Jail,† he uses the classical rhetoric to engage his audience and present his ideas clearly. This particular text was initiated due to the non-violent demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama, which led to the arrest of many African-Americans, including King himself. 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