THE SALT MARCH
Terms to Know:
Dandi: a city on the coast of India where sea salt is naturally created.
Mohandas Gandhi: political and spiritual leader during India's struggle with Great Britain for independence; an advocate of passive resistance
Civil Disobedience: Refusal to obey laws in an effort to induce change in governmental policys, characterized by the use of passive resistance and nonviolent means.
Monopoly: Exclusive control by one group of the means of producing or selling a product.
Dandi: a city on the coast of India where sea salt is naturally created.
Mohandas Gandhi: political and spiritual leader during India's struggle with Great Britain for independence; an advocate of passive resistance
Civil Disobedience: Refusal to obey laws in an effort to induce change in governmental policys, characterized by the use of passive resistance and nonviolent means.
Monopoly: Exclusive control by one group of the means of producing or selling a product.
Why a Salt March?
Britain controlled the salt trade in India completely. They had a monopoly on all salt production and final sale. Britain put taxes and laws surrounding this product that essentially made the process of selling or producing salt without going through Britain illegal. Because salt was necessary for a healthy diet there was no way to escape the salt tax that Indians could hardly afford. This monopoly oppressed the Indian's further under Britain's control. In order to gain independence Britain could not control such a large and important product in India so Mohandas Gandhi organized a march to Dandi to defy the British and gain a stronger hand in obtaining independence.
On the Road to Dandi
On March 12, 1930 Mohandas Gandhi organized a peaceful march to the city of Dandi (where sea salt is made). Gandhi’s plan for civil disobedience brought 78 original followers on a 240 mile march to the sea. On the way Mohandas Gandhi stopped in each city and spoke to the inhabitants about his beliefs and protests. He spoke about civil disobedience and using non violence to succeed in their quest for independence. More and more men joined Gandhi's march. When they finally reached Dandi on April 5, 23 days after the start of the march, the numbers of followers were in the thousands.
On the Road to Dandi
On March 12, 1930 Mohandas Gandhi organized a peaceful march to the city of Dandi (where sea salt is made). Gandhi’s plan for civil disobedience brought 78 original followers on a 240 mile march to the sea. On the way Mohandas Gandhi stopped in each city and spoke to the inhabitants about his beliefs and protests. He spoke about civil disobedience and using non violence to succeed in their quest for independence. More and more men joined Gandhi's march. When they finally reached Dandi on April 5, 23 days after the start of the march, the numbers of followers were in the thousands.
Upon Arrival
When Mohandas Gandhi and his followers arrived at Dandi short prayers were offered and Gandhi addressed the crowd. He made speeches about the reasons for the salt march and the need for independence from Britain. At 8:30 AM he picked up a small lump of natural salt from the sea. Gandhi had now broken the law; Sarojini Naidu, his close friend, shouted: "Hail, Deliverer!" Immediately after Gandhi violated the law by harvesting a piece of sea salt his followers everywhere did the same, people were picking up salt all down the coast.
Consequences
Within one week the jails were full, and subsequently Gandhi himself was to be taken into jail. Mohandas Gandhi was arrested for defying the salt laws in his non violent protest against Britain’s salt monopoly. The salt march started a series of protests damaging the British economy in India. The non-violent protesters were embraced by the world and eventually enabled India to gain their freedom from Britain in 1947.
Citiations: http://www.kamat.com/mmgandhi/dandimarch.jpg- picture
http://munfitnessblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/harvesting-sea-salt.jpg- picture
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/AfNeldTPFc/TaGAttGOnyI/AAAAAAAAAA4/ANwQOkjmuTI/s760/dandi-yatra-1.gif- picture
"Salt March." D@dalos: Civic, Peace and Democracy Education (A Project by Pharos E.V.). 7 Dec. 2003. Web. 09 Mar. 2012. <http://www.dadalos.org/int/vorbilder/vorbilder/gandhi/salzmarsch.htm>.
Ellis, Elisabeth G., and Anthony Esler. World History Connections to Today. Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall, 1999. Print
Consequences
Within one week the jails were full, and subsequently Gandhi himself was to be taken into jail. Mohandas Gandhi was arrested for defying the salt laws in his non violent protest against Britain’s salt monopoly. The salt march started a series of protests damaging the British economy in India. The non-violent protesters were embraced by the world and eventually enabled India to gain their freedom from Britain in 1947.
Citiations: http://www.kamat.com/mmgandhi/dandimarch.jpg- picture
http://munfitnessblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/harvesting-sea-salt.jpg- picture
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/AfNeldTPFc/TaGAttGOnyI/AAAAAAAAAA4/ANwQOkjmuTI/s760/dandi-yatra-1.gif- picture
"Salt March." D@dalos: Civic, Peace and Democracy Education (A Project by Pharos E.V.). 7 Dec. 2003. Web. 09 Mar. 2012. <http://www.dadalos.org/int/vorbilder/vorbilder/gandhi/salzmarsch.htm>.
Ellis, Elisabeth G., and Anthony Esler. World History Connections to Today. Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall, 1999. Print
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