Summary:
The goals of Gandhi's movement for Indian independence were mainly to end the damage to Indian society and government brought about by colonialism. There was much poverty, corruption, and social inequality. In order to benefit their own economy, the British had closed the market to Indian markets and the Indian market opened to British manufacturers.
The name Mohandas, or Mahatma Gandhi is known throughout the entire world. "This little brown man in a loincloth" is an almost universal symbol of peace. For hundreds of years, Indians were forced to endure unfair laws and treatment from the British government. Indian society was unequally divided, its economy was deteriorating, and corruption and injustices were abounded. Through his non-violent efforts and determination, Mahatma Gandhi was able to gain independence for India and end many of the injustices that existed due to the British rule.
The goals of Gandhi's movement for Indian independence were mainly to end the damage to Indian society and government brought about by colonialism. There was much poverty, corruption, and social inequality. In order to benefit their own economy, the British had closed the market to Indian markets and the Indian market opened to British manufacturers. As a result of this, Indian industries--predominantly the textile industry--collapsed. Another unfair system enacted by the British was the Zamindar system. This was a system in which Indian landlords appointed by the British collected taxes. It became a very feudal-like system with many corrupt landlords. The social structure of India was another justification of the independence movement. Based on a caste system, it contained priests, landowners, peasants, and textile workers, with "untouchables" on the outside. These people lived in poor conditions and, according to members of the caste, "endangered the purity of others." These many social and political injustices are few examples of the many problems with India under British rule, and therefore justify Gandhi's movement.
Gandhi's peaceful methods, unique from any other movement before his time, were ultimately effective against the British government. Gandhi had a nonviolent approach in all of his protests, and would not stand for even the slightest violence. Gandhi's response to the poverty caused by the government was to encourage Indians to boycott all British goods and spin their own cloth. Gandhi and his wife stated "there is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness." He led many other nonviolent protests and movements, including the Salt March in response to unfair taxes on salt. It was Gandhi's belief that "an eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind", and because of this he would not retaliate against the British. When groups of Indians went to the extreme of violence, Gandhi would fast as a way to end it, once saying, "I will fast as a penance for my part in arousing such emotions, and I will not stop until they stop." By risking his life for the cause of peace and liberty, Gandhi showed his devotion to his cause and helped to strengthen the movement for independence.
Mahatma Gandhi's movement was successful in achieving many of its goals, with the most obvious and notable being Indian independence. Gandhi's nonviolent methods were affective, for the most part, in achieving his goals. As more and more nonviolent protestors died at the hands of the British, it only proved that "government shows its own weakness, especially when those people do not strike back." It damaged their reputation and it became clear that they would have to kill nearly all of India if they really wished to prevent their independence. India was able to gain Independence on August 15, 1947, and many of the injustices of the country could be changed. Although the country was partitioned into India and Pakistan, and this was very upsetting to Gandhi, he did the most of what was in his power to do.
India was able to achieve independence and democracy as a result of Gandhi's astounding goodness. His peaceful methods and philosophies proved true in the end, and the country was freed from the unfairness of the British rule.
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