Describe three actions that Gandhi organized to protest British rule over India.
1) Salt March: In 1930, Gandhi organized the iconic Salt March, also known as the Dandi March or Salt Satyagraha. The march involved a group of around 80 people, including Gandhi, walking 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in Gujarat to protest the British monopoly on salt production. The march lasted for 24 days, and during this time, Gandhi and his followers broke the Salt Laws by producing their own salt from seawater. This act of civil disobedience received significant attention and participation from people across India, highlighting the unjust British colonial rule.
2) Non-Cooperation Movement: In 1920, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement as a form of passive resistance against British rule. The movement called for boycotting British educational institutions, law courts, and civil services, encouraging the Indian population to rely on indigenous alternatives. The goal was to socially and economically paralyze the British administration in India and expose their dependency on Indian cooperation. The movement gained widespread support, leading to mass protests, strikes, and the surrendering of titles and honors bestowed by the British authorities.
3) Quit India Movement: In 1942, Gandhi initiated the Quit India Movement, demanding an immediate end to British rule in India. He called for complete non-violent non-cooperation, as well as civil disobedience, with the aim of causing mass disruptions and creating a situation where the British would no longer be able to govern India effectively. The movement faced severe repression from the British authorities, with arrests and violent clashes becoming widespread. However, the movement's persistence and determination ultimately contributed to the growing support for Indian independence, leading to India's eventual freedom in 1947.