WORLD HISTORY
UNIT 4: IMPERIALISM
ESSAY QUESTIONS FOR THE FILM Gandhi
Instructions:
You will write an in-class essay on the life of one of the world’s great
leaders based partly on the academy award winning film Gandhi. A good
essay will be one written in well-organized, multi-paragraph format and using
SPECIFIC and DETAILED examples from the movie to support the main ideas
presented in the prompt..
1)
Discuss thoroughly Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent resistance to British rule.
What were the tactics used? What was the purpose for those tactics? How
effective was Gandhi at getting what he wanted?
2)
Three major events in the Indian fight against British rule were the Massacre at the
Golden Temple, the Homespun Movement, and the Great Salt March. Describe
each event in detail and explain its importance to the overall struggle for independence.
3)
Indian society under British rule was one of deep divisions – divisions between
people of different races, different religious groups, different social classes
(or castes). Describe the tactics Gandhi employed to try and break down the barriers
of Indian society and unify his nation. How successful was he in his efforts? Explain.
STRUCTURE OF ESSAYS
Essay #1: Six paragraphs
Paragraph 1: Introduction (ICD, Biographical sketch of Gandhi, Thesis statement).
P2: Describe Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent, non-cooperation with British rule.
P3: Describe Tactic #1: Provide details about what the tactic consisted of, what the
purpose of it was and what happened when using it.
P4: Describe Tactic #2: Provide details about what the tactic consisted of, what the
purpose of it was and what happened when using it.
P5: Explain how effective Gandhi’s strategy of non-violent resistance to British rule was.
Did he get everything he wanted?
P6: Conclusion: Re-state your thesis and recap your main ideas.
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Essay #2: Five paragraphs
Paragraph 1: Introduction (ICD, Biographical sketch of Gandhi, Thesis statement).
P2: Massacre at the Golden Temple: Describe the event in great detail. Also, evaluate
why it was such an important turning point in the Indian movement toward
independence from British rule.
P3: Homespun Movement: Describe the event in great detail. Also, evaluate
why it was such an important part of the Indian movement toward
independence from British rule.
P4: The Great Salt March: Describe the event in great detail. Also, evaluate
why it was such an important turning point in the Indian movement toward
independence from British rule.
P5: Conclusion: Re-state your thesis and recap your main ideas.
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Essay #3: Six paragraphs
Paragraph 1: Introduction (ICD, Biographical sketch of Gandhi, Thesis statement).
P2: Describe the divisions that existed in Indian society under British rule (based on race,
religion, and social class).
P3: Describe Tactic #1: Provide details about what the tactic consisted of and how Gandhi
used it to try and bring people together.
P4: Describe Tactic #2: Provide details about what the tactic consisted of and how Gandhi
used it to try and bring people together.
P5: Explain how effective Gandhi was at unifying people in Indian society.
P6: Conclusion: Re-state your thesis and recap your main ideas.