Gandhi was a lawyer who studied in London and witnessed racism in South Africa, sparking his interest in social activism through nonviolent civil disobedience. He led India's independence movement and was assassinated in 1948. Mandela grew up in a privileged village and joined the anti-apartheid ANC, conducting armed interventions before refining his approach based on Gandhi's nonviolence. Imprisoned for 27 years, he was released in 1990 and four years later became South Africa's first black president, helping negotiate a peaceful transition through his advocacy for nonviolence and unity.

1. Ghandi and MandelaBy: Nik PalmieriHIST 5

2. GandhiBorn October 2, 1869

3. Gandhi was an average student in school and studied abroad in London to become a lawyer, it was here that his interest in spirituality and philosophy took root.

4. It was not until he went to South Africa that he started to see the racism directed at Indians throughout the British empire and as a result became actively interested in social activism.Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and focused on Indian politics and refined his “noncooperation” movement.

5. He stayed out of politics most of the 1920’s until 1928 when he lead the salt march.

6. He was the figurehead of Indian independence through nonviolent civil disobedience and won India its independence, although he opposed partitioning it.