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How Did Gandhi Use Nonviolent Strategies In A Social Movement

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How Did Gandhi Use Nonviolent Strategies In A Social Movement
Implementing strategies in social movements are essential. It is arguable that different strategies can cause the failure of success of a social movement depending on the context. Strategies for change can be utilized depending on the issue and various characteristics of the people that the social movement can reach out to. It is also important to note that, some leaders of social movements prefer a violent approach, while others prefer a nonviolent approach. An example of a leader utilizing a specific type of approach is Mohandas Gandhi, who implemented nonviolent strategy. Nonviolent strategies can be based on different ideals depending on the belief a person holds. The reasoning and methods to form a social movement is very complex. Charles …show more content…
His knowledge stemmed from, “of historical campaigns of collective defiance, religious thought, and literature on civil disobedience.” The early stages of his campaigns focused on issues of injustice that was occurring locally. The issues included, “exploitation of workers and caste discrimination.” Gandhi’s commitment to nonviolence can be seem during the campaign against the Rowlett Act of 1919. The act tried to limit free speech and assembly. A year later in 1920, the the Indian National Congress created that encouraged noncooperation. As a result, Gandhi encouraged people to participate by boycotting, “British institutions and products, resign from government employment, and refuse to pay taxes.” But, in 1922, Gandhi called off the campaign because protestors in Chauri Chaura, Uttar Pradesh, burned down a police station and as a result 22 police officers died. Nonviolent strategies that Gandhi utilized are seen in the Salt March that occurred for twenty-six days in the 1930s. Strategies such as, “noncooperation, tax refusal, and boycotts of the British administration,” were used. In summary, through his nonviolence strategies and campaigns, Gandhi made the struggle for independence an issue for all people in India regardless of social class, which created a “nationwide social movement.” This was achieved by creating a connection between politics and the lives of the poor (Schock,

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