Mahatma Gandhi and Mao Tse-Tung

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The early 1900s arose a series of revolutions in the southern and eastern Asian countries of India and China, that ultimately led to a significant change in governmental systems and ideas that are still valued today. Tensions between the British government and Indians caused much anger and devastation to Indian societies, such as the Amritsar Massacre which exposed the true nature of Britain’s power over India. Indians all throughout the country were infuriated by the authority Britain had gained over the years. China dealt with problems of its own: foreign imperialism, warlord uprisings and a great disorder in the government and society itself.(The Modern World, 405) The revolutions in these two countries was brought about by two important characters of the revolution: Mohandas Gandhi and Mao Tse-Tung. Even though the two wanted change in their countries, they went about it in completely different ways. Mao sought after the use of violence to obtain political power, whereas Gandhi addressed the power love through nonviolent protests. While Mao and Gandhi both believed in, and practiced a form of civil disobedience, their views differed when it came to their use of violence and how society should be structured. Gandhi and Mao both believed in civil disobedience, though they did not interpret disobedience in the same manner. Thoreau’s ideas about civil disobedience influenced Gandhi to refuse to obey laws created by the colonialists of India that seemed unjust for Indians. He influenced Indians to boycott on British goods, refusing to buy things the British sold, mainly cotton textiles, and encouraged Indians to make their own products, like they did before the British arrived. During the time, there were many laws made... ... middle of paper ... ...y of life. Unlike any ordinary leaders of a revolution, Mao and Gandhi knew just how to take on what their countries really needed. Whether it was freedom from colonialism, or oppression from higher classes, they knew what their people needed. Gandhi knew his people had rights the British outlawed, and peacefully fought hard to retrieve them. He also believed that the Indians shouldn’t forget their traditions and culture, no matter how much the Western World pushed to change them. Mao believed the working class should have equal if not, more power than any other class in China. In fact, he believed there should not even be any classes at all. Everyone wants equality, whether in China or in India. Mao and Gandhi were able to give their country equality, freedom, and a philosophy that would influence their countries’ political and moral decisions for decades to come.

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