The early 1900s arose a series of revolutions in the southern and eastern Asian countries of India and China, that ultimately led to a significant change in governmental systems and ideas that are still valued today. Tensions between the British government and Indians caused much anger and devastation to Indian societies, such as the Amritsar Massacre which exposed the true nature of Britain’s power over India. Indians all throughout the country were infuriated by the authority Britain had gained over the years. China dealt with problems of its own: foreign imperialism, warlord uprisings and a great disorder in the government and society itself.(The Modern World, 405) The revolutions in these two countries was brought about by two important characters of the revolution: Mohandas Gandhi and Mao Tse-Tung. Even though the two wanted change in their countries, they went about it in completely different ways. Mao sought after the use of violence to obtain political power, whereas Gandhi addressed the power love through nonviolent protests. While Mao and Gandhi both believed in, and practiced a form of civil disobedience, their views differed when it came to their use of violence and how society should be structured. Gandhi and Mao both believed in civil disobedience, though they did not interpret disobedience in the same manner. Thoreau’s ideas about civil disobedience influenced Gandhi to refuse to obey laws created by the colonialists of India that seemed unjust for Indians. He influenced Indians to boycott on British goods, refusing to buy things the British sold, mainly cotton textiles, and encouraged Indians to make their own products, like they did before the British arrived. During the time, there were many laws made... ... middle of paper ... ...y of life. Unlike any ordinary leaders of a revolution, Mao and Gandhi knew just how to take on what their countries really needed. Whether it was freedom from colonialism, or oppression from higher classes, they knew what their people needed. Gandhi knew his people had rights the British outlawed, and peacefully fought hard to retrieve them. He also believed that the Indians shouldn’t forget their traditions and culture, no matter how much the Western World pushed to change them. Mao believed the working class should have equal if not, more power than any other class in China. In fact, he believed there should not even be any classes at all. Everyone wants equality, whether in China or in India. Mao and Gandhi were able to give their country equality, freedom, and a philosophy that would influence their countries’ political and moral decisions for decades to come.
Mahatma Gandhi, a prominent leader in the independence movement of India once said, “Civil disobedience becomes a sacred duty when the state becomes lawless and corrupt.”(brainyquotes.com) Gandhi states that protest and civil disobedience are necessary when the authority becomes unscrupulous. This correlates to “Declaration of Independence,” by Thomas Jefferson; “Civil Disobedience,” by Henry David Thoreau; and “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” by Martin Luther King Jr., because all three leaders felt that civil disobedience was important to help protest against an unjust ruling. Jefferson stood up to the injustice of the king by writing the Declaration of Independence and urged others to stand up for the independence of America. Thoreau exemplified
This essay will concentrate on the comparison and analysis of two communist figures: Mao Zedong, leader of the Communist Party in China, and Joseph Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union. The main focus of this paper will be to explore each figure’s world view in depth and then compare and contrast by showing their differences and similarities.
Mao Zedong will forever live on history as a revolutionary, not only in China but across the globe. There are very few communist nations today because of the many difficulties of having a homogenous population, which shares the same ideals. Mao was able to modernize and re-socialize his citizens in a short amount of time. He defined himself as the face of change in China. Mao’s vision of equality for all Chinese citizens has still not been achieved but it is well on its way. The only question lies in, does the end justify the means.
Mohandas Gandhi and Mao Zedong were two great leaders who succeeded in many ways by their actions and decisions. Gandhi was an Indian leader and Mao a Chinese leader. However, their approach to success, peace, and ultimately, a revolution, was very different. Mao favored peace through violence, and Gandhi favored peace through non-cooperation and standing up for what is right. He also believed that these changes will be accomplished by “conscious suffering”, was the way he put it. However, despite their differences, these two leaders were similar too. They were both very charismatic leaders who successfully made it through their revolutions. Mao’s revolution led to change in class structure while Gandhi’s revolution involved India as a country, and he wanted people to realize that working together is a great way to gain independence. While Mao and Gandhi both believed that each of their countries have the need of independence, their views differed when it came to the use of violence, development towards the revolution, and their thoughts on a caste system.
Mohandas Gandhi was a non-violent promoter for Indian independence.He was married young at 13,and went to London to go to law school.Gandhi got his degree there and was on his way to being a lawyer.He went to his first case,but couldn't even speak. Gandhi then got invited to South Africa from a businessman. Gandhi’s luck their was no good either.European racism came to him,after he got kicked off of a train,because he was “colored” and was holding a first class ticket.When Gandhi fought back because of it,was arrested and was sent to jail.After this, he became know as as a leader.Gandhi returned to India in 1896,and he was disgusted by it.British wanted them to wear their clothes,copy their manners,accept their standards of beauty,but Gandhi refused.Gandhi wanted people to live free of all class and wealth.Gandhi tried so hard and was more successful then any other man in India.They won independence in 1947. Gandhi’s non-violent movement worked because,Gandhi used clever planning, mass appeal, conviction, and compassion to win independence for India.
In his essay, “Resistance to Civil Government,” often times dubbed, “Civil Disobedience,” Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) argues against abiding by one’s State, in protest to the unjust laws within its government. Among many things, Thoreau was an American author, poet, and philosopher. He was a firm believer in the idea of civil disobedience, the act of refusing to obey certain laws of a government that are felt to be unjust. He opposed the laws regarding slavery, and did not support the Mexican-American war, believing it to be a tactic by the Southerners to spread slavery to the Southwest. To show his lack of support for the American government, he refused to pay his taxes.
...ghts and fight against the Egyptian government and their laws. These people practiced Civil Disobedience by staying true to their individual values. Thoreau characteristics made him important during his lifetime and has remain significant until today.
Overall in "Civil Disobedience" Thoreau used many literary techniques to support his beliefs. These included emotional appeal, a hyperbole, and a paradox. Henry Thoreau used numerous more, in "Civil Disobedience" but these three were very strong to back up his confidence in his story. Thoreau just wants people to stand up for themselves, and do what they believe in. Thoreau wants them to be their own person, and express their own opinions. Henry Thoreau believes every single person should have a say in everything. Thoreau's belief is still relevant today. One person can make a huge difference. There happen to be many people who express Thoreau's beliefs including Martin Luther King, Jr., and millions other citizens in our generation.
Between the years of 1939 and 1945 the world was sent spiralling in a mess of corruption, violence and uncertainty. Allied powers were faced with the unparalleled task of protecting the world from tyranny. In terms of political power, this weight was bestowed upon the shoulders of two memorable individuals. By and large Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt can be labelled as beacons of democracy and leaders of the free world in their time.
In the year of 1919, a crowd of 379 nonviolent protesters were murdered by British Indian Army troops. These protestors were killed because they were Indian. Racism was already existent in many countries that were colonized by Britain. Gandhi, a social reformer came to a realization that Indians deserve equal rights and that such acts were in humane and unacceptable. So what made Gandhi’s peaceful movement such a success? It was his civil disobedience practice, which he reached through nonviolent protests, embracing the enemy, and accepting jail time.
Initially, for a revolution to be effective, it is necessary to have a strong leader that will motivate and impact people. After Gandhi’s leadership in the “Indian medical corps that fought on the British side in the Boer War...Gandhi’s reputation as a leader grew” (source B). He showed people that through nonviolent civil disobedience, there can be success. His leadership as a strong and nonviolent man pulled people towards him and his incentives to create a new India free from British rule. A person that can express strong leadership skills through their efforts in battle or through their ability to
In the darkest hours of World War II, people looked for encouragement, guidance, and even acceptance to keep carrying on. Many people discovered whom they could trust and whom they could follow. Through those rough times came grave actions and harsh decisions. In those dark days, two leaders stood out among all men. These two leaders were Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler. Because of their actions, Stalin and Hitler became two of the most feared totalitarian dictators of all time.
Comparing the Civil Disobedience of Martin Luther King Jr., Henry David Thoreau, and Mohandas Gandhi
Under British rule in India, the British were harshly oppressive and only interested in exploiting products from India for their own use, causing many Indians to become extremely poor. They became so oppressed they were on the verge of violent civil disobedience, when Gandhi appeared to negotiate with the British threw non-violent tactics such as sit-ins and hunger strikes. The people were supportive on Gandhi and were set to become violent if anything happened to him. Things were resolved without violence.
The rebellion Mao claims to have manifested might have distanced Mao physically from his family but, traditional Chinese values were deeply ingrained, shaping his political and personal persona. His father's harshness with dealing with opposition, his cunning, his demand for reverence from subordinates, and his ambition were to be seen in how Mao demanded harmony, order, and reverence as a ruthless dictator. Yet, Mao, was also the kindly father figure for the people of China, as manifested in characteristic qualities of Mao's mother: kindness, benevolence, and patriarchal indulgence.