Decolonization Check In

BOMBAY, SUNDAY 

The great test has come for “Mahatma” Gandhi, the Indian Nationalist leader, in his efforts to obtain the complete independence of India from British rule. Wading into the sea this morning at Dandi, the lonely village on the Arabian Sea shore, Gandhi and his followers broke the salt monopoly laws and so inaugurated the campaign of mass civil disobedience. There was no interference by the authorities, although a detachment of 150 police officers had been drafted into Dandi and a further force of 400 police was at Jalalpur. 

The actual breaking of the salt monopoly law was witnessed by a large crowd who gathered at the seashore. Surrounded by about 100 volunteers—including those who had made the 200-mile march from Ahmedabad,—Gandhi waded into the sea and bathed. Pots were then filled with seawater and boiled or left in the sunshine and the salt residue sprinkled on the ground. Gandhi was hailed by Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, the Indian poetess, as “the lawbreaker.”

The actions taken by Gandhi and his followers, as described in this excerpt, are examples of. .

• Peaceful protest
• Violent uprising
• Political negotiation
• nonviolent resistance

BOMBAY, SUNDAY 

The great test has come for “Mahatma” Gandhi, the Indian Nationalist leader, in his efforts to obtain the complete independence of India from British rule. Wading into the sea this morning at Dandi, the lonely village on the Arabian Sea shore, Gandhi and his followers broke the salt monopoly laws and so inaugurated the campaign of mass civil disobedience. There was no interference by the authorities, although a detachment of 150 police officers had been drafted into Dandi and a further force of 400 police was at Jalalpur. 

The actual breaking of the salt monopoly law was witnessed by a large crowd who gathered at the seashore. Surrounded by about 100 volunteers—including those who had made the 200-mile march from Ahmedabad,—Gandhi waded into the sea and bathed. Pots were then filled with seawater and boiled or left in the sunshine and the salt residue sprinkled on the ground. Gandhi was hailed by Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, the Indian poetess, as “the lawbreaker.”

Which statement best summarizes the effects actions like those expressed in this excerpt had on India?

• The actions had no impact on India and were quickly forgotten.
• The actions led to increased British control over India.
• The actions challenged British authority and inspired the Indian population to resist colonial rule.
• The actions resulted in widespread violence and chaos in India.

For a fortnight Gandhi’s march is intended to be only a demonstration. Then, when he expects to be at the sea, he will begin to produce salt from brine [salt water], and so infringe [violate] the Government salt monopoly, defying the Government to arrest and punish him. At the same time his supporters everywhere have been incited by him to refuse to pay local taxes.

The actions taken by Gandhi reflect his commitment to which policy?

• Passive resistance
• Nonviolent protest
• Civil disobedience
• Peaceful demonstration

For a fortnight Gandhi’s march is intended to be only a demonstration. Then, when he expects to be at the sea, he will begin to produce salt from brine [salt water], and so infringe [violate] the Government salt monopoly, defying the Government to arrest and punish him. At the same time his supporters everywhere have been incited by him to refuse to pay local taxes.

The actions of Gandhi and his supporters, as described in this passage, helped lead to the

• Promotion of foreign investment in India
• Decrease in public awareness of salt production
• Removal of the British from the Indian Subcontinent

• Increase in government support for local taxes

In his book Indian Home Rule, Gandhi asked the question, “Why do you want to drive away the English?” He replied with the following statement: . . . “Because India has become impoverished by their Government. They take away our money from year to year. The most important posts are reserved for themselves. We are kept in a state of slavery. They behave insolently [insultingly] towards us and disregard our feelings. . . .”

Based on this excerpt, which statement best describes the author’s point of view?

• British rule has hurt India and prevented its people from establishing their own economy and government.

• The author believes that the English government is providing equal opportunities to all Indians
• The author believes that the English government is treating India fairly and respectfully
• The author believes that the English government is helping India prosper

In his book Indian Home Rule, Gandhi asked the question, “Why do you want to drive away the English?” He replied with the following statement: . . . “Because India has become impoverished by their Government. They take away our money from year to year. The most important posts are reserved for themselves. We are kept in a state of slavery. They behave insolently [insultingly] towards us and disregard our feelings. . . .”

A historian would find this excerpt most useful for

• analyzing the impact of English colonial rule on Indian culture
• exploring the benefits of English colonial rule in India
• understanding the views of Indian nationalists

• investigating the role of Indian leaders in the fight against English colonialism

In his book Indian Home Rule, Gandhi asked the question, “Why do you want to drive away the English?” He replied with the following statement: . . . “Because India has become impoverished by their Government. They take away our money from year to year. The most important posts are reserved for themselves. We are kept in a state of slavery. They behave insolently [insultingly] towards us and disregard our feelings. . . .”

Which event was an effect of the ideas expressed in this excerpt and the actions taken by Gandhi?

• Independence for India and Pakistan

• Chinese occupation of India
• Russian intervention in India
• French colonization of India

"I believe that the civilization India has evolved is not to be beaten in the world. Nothing can equal the seeds sown by our ancestors. Rome went, Greece shared the same fate; the might of the Pharaohs was broken;  Japan has become Westernized; of China nothing can be said; but India is still, somehow or other, sound. . . . What we have tested and found true on the anvil of experience, we dare not change."  

— Mohandas Gandhi from the book Indian Home Rule, first published in 1938

Based on this quote which statement best describes the author’s point of view?

• The author believes that the civilization of India is inferior to other civilizations in the world.
• The author believes that the civilization of India is non-existent.
• The author believes that the civilization of India is identical to other civilizations in the world.
•  India’s civilization is strong and has endured while others have fallen.

"I believe that the civilization India has evolved is not to be beaten in the world. Nothing can equal the seeds sown by our ancestors. Rome went, Greece shared the same fate; the might of the Pharaohs was broken;  Japan has become Westernized; of China nothing can be said; but India is still, somehow or other, sound. . . . What we have tested and found true on the anvil of experience, we dare not change."  

— Mohandas Gandhi from the book Indian Home Rule, first published in 1938

In this quote Gandhi expresses...

• Gandhi's belief in the enduring strength and resilience of Indian civilization.
• Gandhi's belief in the strength of Chinese civilization
• Gandhi's belief in the decline of Indian civilization
• Gandhi's belief in the superiority of Western civilizations

"I believe that the civilization India has evolved is not to be beaten in the world. Nothing can equal the seeds sown by our ancestors. Rome went, Greece shared the same fate; the might of the Pharaohs was broken;  Japan has become Westernized; of China nothing can be said; but India is still, somehow or other, sound. . . . What we have tested and found true on the anvil of experience, we dare not change."  

— Mohandas Gandhi from the book Indian Home Rule, first published in 1938

Which event most likely led Gandhi to write the book this quote comes from?

• The British rule in India and the struggle for independence
• The invention of the printing press
• The discovery of new trade routes
• The signing of the Magna Carta