Directions
To learn about British Imperialism & Gandhi, you have 2 choices.
A- You can use this webpage to learn about it (it will direct you to some readings, images, and video clips)
B- You can use this link to a Nearpod
You must complete pages 111-112 in your notebook
For this Webpage, you will click on the following links to read about British Imperialism in India, and the role that Gandhi played in freeing India. Fill out the British Imperialism/Gandhi notes as you go through this webpage. Make sure to Click on the links (blue) and read every section. Be sure to watch each video, but do this using headphones or earbuds.
For the Nearpod, just follow the directions.
British Imperialism
How did India come to be under power of Britain?
What did Britain do to India when it controlled India?
How did the British treat the Indian people while they were there?
To learn about British Imperialism & Gandhi, you have 2 choices.
A- You can use this webpage to learn about it (it will direct you to some readings, images, and video clips)
B- You can use this link to a Nearpod
You must complete pages 111-112 in your notebook
For this Webpage, you will click on the following links to read about British Imperialism in India, and the role that Gandhi played in freeing India. Fill out the British Imperialism/Gandhi notes as you go through this webpage. Make sure to Click on the links (blue) and read every section. Be sure to watch each video, but do this using headphones or earbuds.
For the Nearpod, just follow the directions.
British Imperialism
How did India come to be under power of Britain?
- Read this excerpt on how the British East India Trading Company slowly took control of India and turned it into virtually a British Colony
- In 1858, a group of Indian called "Sepoys" led a full attack on the British, and Great Britain's government decided to take full control of India. This was what we call the "British Raj."
What did Britain do to India when it controlled India?
- Read this to see how Education and Transportation were influenced by the British.
- It is extremely important not to forget the terrible famines that devastated India. These were partly the result of weather, but partly caused by British policies. Food shortages came about because Indians were growing cash crops. When famine struck in 1876-77 and 1899-1900 the British system of government was completely overwhelmed and could not organize a big enough relief effort. As well as these massive famines, there were many other smaller, more localized famines. Source
How did the British treat the Indian people while they were there?
- While there are differing opinions on this issue, the British were known to generally treat the Indians with little respect. There are accounts of British kicking Indians, or treating them similar to slaves. Of course, there was some goodwill between certain British people and the native Indians, but by and large, it wasn't a great relationship.
- Scroll through the images of life during the British Raj (both of British and the Indians). Ask yourself, how would have felt if you were British? Indian
Tell us about Gandhi’s early life until he moves to South Africa.
What did Gandhi accomplish while he was in South Africa? What was he trying to protest against, and why?
What ideas did Gandhi promote in India?
Why did Gandhi protest what the British were doing in India? What were specific ways that Gandhi boycotted the British government? (specifically the textiles, cotton spinning, fasting, etc.)
What was the Salt March? What happened to Gandhi during that time?
How did Gandhi die? Why was he killed?
When and how did India finally gain its independence? What slowed down the process of independence?
How did British imperialism affected the culture in India?
- Read this about Gandhi's early life.
What did Gandhi accomplish while he was in South Africa? What was he trying to protest against, and why?
- Read this about what Gandhi did in South Africa.
- Watch this video clip about a pivotal moment in Gandhi's life. (This is Gandhi in his younger years.)
What ideas did Gandhi promote in India?
- Gandhi came back to India in his 40s, ready to take on racial prejudice and the British regime in his native land. Working with other leaders and activists, he gained ground as powerful, influential leader. He believed that India should be free of British control, and free from unfair British laws (especially regarding textiles and salt).
- Watch this video clip of his promotion of nonviolence.
Why did Gandhi protest what the British were doing in India? What were specific ways that Gandhi boycotted the British government? (specifically the textiles, cotton spinning, fasting, etc.)
- Gandhi was creative in the ways his opposed British rule.
- First, he rejected British clothing and wore traditional Indian garments that were made by him, or other Indians. If you recall, he was born into a higher caste, but yet he dressed like the lower castes in an effort to personally understand their suffering and increase unity. He encouraged his supporters to do the same.
- In order to not pay taxes on clothing, he also spun his own cotton. He could have afforded his own clothing, but he wanted to make a point that the Indians didn't need the British imported clothing
- Last, Gandhi fasted, or went without food. These were called "Hunger Strikes." He fasted 17 different times during his life. His longest fast was 21 days.
- Watch this video clip of Gandhi's fast. In this clip, Gandhi is upset with Indians who decide to be violent against the British. Also, Indians who are fond of Gandhi called him "Gandhiji" as a loving term.
What was the Salt March? What happened to Gandhi during that time?
- Read this short article explaining what the Salt March was.
- Watch this video clip of what happened at the Salt March. (Notice that the British have trained Indians to work for them as soldiers. Also notice how a Western reporter sends out news of what is happening in India, alerting the world.)
How did Gandhi die? Why was he killed?
- Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948. He only saw a free India for 6 months.
- He was shot after a prayer ceremony by a radical Hindu who believed that the new Indian laws were too favorable for Muslims. Gandhi was a believer that the Muslims and Hindus could work together to live peacefully in a united India. Many disagreed with him (like his murderer). Not long after Gandhi's assassination, many Muslims moved to what is now Pakistan, and India and Pakistan have had many bloody conflicts since. India is now predominantly Hindu, and Pakistan is predominantly Muslim.
- Watch this video clip of Gandhi's funeral procession.
- Watch this video clip of Actual News coverage of Gandhi's death
When and how did India finally gain its independence? What slowed down the process of independence?
- The Indian Independence Movement was put "on hold" during World War II, slowing the process down considerably.
- In 1945, negotiations began for Indian independence. Gandhi played a major role in these negotiations. Since then, India has worked to build what is now the largest democracy in the world.
How did British imperialism affected the culture in India?
- The British left behind many things for India. The English language is probably the most important contribution. The Indians also learned skills from the British that has led to their rise in technology and industry today. Indians also received training and education from the British on governmental affairs. Additionally, watching the British's successes and failures taught them good governmental practices, as well as bad governmental practices.
Gandhi Quotes Directions: Follow the directions on your worksheet, using these quotes (including the images) that Gandhi said.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
To believe in something, and not live it, is dishonest.
Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.
Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.
An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.
You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.
Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.
You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Be the change you want to see in this world.
In a gentle way, you can shake the world.
Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
There is more to life than increasing its speed.
Our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world but being able to remake ourselves.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
To believe in something, and not live it, is dishonest.
Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.
Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.
An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.
You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.
Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.
You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Be the change you want to see in this world.
In a gentle way, you can shake the world.
Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
There is more to life than increasing its speed.
Our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world but being able to remake ourselves.