2. Presentation plan
Gandhi’s life
Principles and spirituality
The legacy of Gandhi
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Mahatma Gandhi, the peacemaker
3. The history of Gandhi : a life of struggle
and peace
Born in 1869, member of the merchant cast.
1888 – 1891 : lawyer studies in London.
1893 – 1914 : first experience of Civil Rights
Movements in South Africa.
1909 : publication of the Hind Swaraj, or Indian
Home Rule.
Link to Hind Swaraj
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4. The history of Gandhi : a life of struggle
and peace
1918 - 1921 : intensification of civil disobedience
campaigns in India. Gandhi is the leader of the
Indian National Congress.
1922: arrest by the British, trial and two-year
detention.
1930 : the Dandi march (200 miles, 80 days) to
denounce the government salt monopoly.
1932 : second arrest and beginning of a fast to
protest against the casts and untouchables.
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5. The history of Gandhi : a life of struggle
and peace
1947 : independence of India, a great victory
for Gandhi. Meanwhile : eruption of violence
between Hindus and Muslims.
1948 : Gandhi is assassinated by a Hindu
fanatic. He then became the father of the
Indian Nation.
More details about Gandhi’s biography
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6. The universal philosophy of Gandhi
Ahimsa : spiritual concept of non-violence from
different influences (Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism).
Living beings have the spark of the divine spiritual
energy; therefore, to hurt another being is to hurt
oneself.
Satyagraha : the philosophy of truth force and civil
resistance. It does not seek to destroy the relationship
with an opponent, but rather to “purify” it to a higher
level.
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7. The universal philosophy of Gandhi
Charkha : the spinning wheel. It
became the symbol of the native
industry and of Indian independence.
To sum up : a spirituality at the edge of
religion (from Europe or Asia) and
philosophy (especially Tolstoy).
Articles about Gandhi’s philosophy
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8. The legacy of Gandhi
In India :
First non-violent revolution in History
Cast distinctions and taboos broken
Social reforms with the Ashram movement
A message of tolerance synthetizing
religions
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9. The legacy of Gandhi
In the world :
The civil right movements : Martin Luther
King, Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi…
The decolonization
About the spiritual children of Gandhi
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