Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's Nonviolence

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a lawyer, politician, social activist, writer, leader of the nationalist movement against Britain, and father of India, was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was a chief minister of Porbandar. Gandhi’s mother, Putlibai, was a woman consumed by religion. As a child, Gandhi was looked upon as mediocre. He won a few scholarships and prizes, but was not considered outstanding; contrary to his legacy today. When the time came to determine Gandhi’s future, Gandhi was persistent on going to England. He raised the money required, taking care of all his mother’s doubts. Throughout his years in London, Gandhi faced much racial discrimination; something he had rarely been exposed to. To compensate for the issues (of racism) he faced, Gandhi, joined a Vegetarian

Gandhi’s idea of nonviolence began in South Africa, where he saw numerous Africans being beat to death. He felt as if that was the immoral way to fight, therefore he chose nonviolence. Another reason Gandhi wanted to fight with nonviolence, was because of his religion. Gandhi was a Jain- a religion where violence is looked down upon. Gandhi did not want to act against his religions’ teachings either. He was a moral person. Despite the brutal ways Gandhi was treated by British officials, he did not want to treat them the same way. He did not think it was worth having hundreds and thousands of people lose their lives, just for India’s freedom. He wanted to achieve freedom the right way, which was through nonviolence. Lastly, Gandhi looked at previous ways India has fought against Britain, and every single one has failed because India chose to use violence. Gandhi realized that India had to pick a new strategy that was moral and effective, thus leading him to choose nonviolence to earn liberty for