Gandhi

From South Africa to India

South Africa
1893: At 24, he is thrown off a train for riding first class. It is the most creative night of his life. 1894: Starts the Natal Indian Congress to fight discrimination against Indians. 1899: Joins the Ambulance Corp during the Second Boers War. 1903: Returns to practicing law. Joins South African Supreme Court.

South Africa
1903: Starts the Indian Opinion newspaper 1906: Takes a vow of poverty 1906: Creates Satyragraha and begins nonviolence to resist the British. 1915: He helps to negotiate the Indian Relief Bill which gives some important civil rights to Indians in South Africa.

India
1915: At the age of 45 and after 21 years in South Africa, Gandhi returns to India. He is a national hero. 1920: He becomes a leader of the Indian National Congress. 1922: He is sentenced to 6 years in jail for protests. Released after 2 years. 1930: Started a new campaign against the British salt taxes.

Salt in India
Salt is very important to everyone in India, from the very rich to the very poor. Most Indians made their own salt for free because they didnt have money to buy it. Making salt is easy: You take sand from the beach, remove the sand, and let the water evaporate leaving behind salt. But something is wrong......

Salt Tax law

Under British rule (since 1835), only the British could make and sell salt. British monopoly on salt means they can charge any price. The British made about $25,000,000 every year from salt. If you are caught making your own salt, you get 6 months in jail and the government takes your salt.

Gandhis Opinion
Gandhi saw the Salt Tax Law as just 1 of many policies of discrimination. Gandhi believed this was an issue that could get a majority of Indians involved regardless of class. What do you think Indians can do to help defend themselves from unfair laws and treatment like the Salt Tax law?

Indian National Congress

The Indian National Congress was made up of Indians from diverse ethnic, religious, and language groups throughout India, and it was led by Gandhi. The goal of the Indian National Congress is to make India free and independent from England. It is 1930 and the INC is going to have a meeting. How can we get rid of the Salt Tax law and make India free.

Gandhis Salt March

On March 12, 1930 Gandhi and 78 followers started the Salt March of 23 days and 240 miles. Millions of Indians joined in Gandhis act mass act of civil disobedience. 60,000 Indians are arrested for breaking the Salt Tax law.

"With this, I am shaking the foundations of the British Empire."