Global Studies
South Asia Unit
2010- student copy
Name _____________________ Date _______________ Period_______
Gandhi Film Questions
Scene 1: Gandhi’s arrival in South Africa
1. What event sparks Gandhi’s activism?
2. Briefly describe the injustice experienced by Indians in South Africa.
3. Briefly describe Gandhi’s first protest rally.
4. What is Gandhi’s attitude towards the British Empire?
5. Describe General Smut’s new law in South Africa?
Scene 2: Indian rally and protest
6. How does Gandhi propose to “fight” the British?
7. Describe the march and the confrontation that follows.
Scene 3: Gandhi’s return to India
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8. Describe Gandhi’s clothing. How does he explain it to reporters?
9. What attitude does Gandhi express toward Britain and its involvement in WWI?
10. What scene in India disturbs Gandhi?
Scene 4: Gandhi’s activism increases
11. How does Gandhi “practice what he preaches?”
12. What other members of the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress are
present at Mr. Jinnah’s house? What do we know about the future of these
leaders?
13. Describe the new sedition laws, The Rowlett Acts, that the British passed?
14. What ‘active’ resistance does Gandhi propose to combat the new British law?
15. What is the meaning of the term “ Mahatma?”
16. How do the British respond to Gandhi’s protest? Why is Gandhi released from
jail?
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17. What happened at the Sikh temple in Amritsar?
18. Does it seem the British officials that are questioning General Dwyer supported
his actions? What was Dwyer’s intention? How many were killed?
Scene 5: Negotiations with the British
19. How does Gandhi’s attitude toward the British change? What argument does he
give?
20. What do the British predict would happen if they left the country? How does
Gandhi respond?
21. Even if the majesty could wave all other consideration, what subjects do British
have a duty to protect?
22. What do you think the British are trying to stir up between the Muslims and
Hindus in India? (Theory of divide and conquer).
23. Does it seem like the British leaders are concerned about Gandhi’s request?
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Scene 6: The Salt March
24. Describe the reasons behind Gandhi’s Salt March. What do the British leaders
plan to do in regards to the plan Salt March?
25. What are the Indians to rise when they reach the ocean? What does it signify?
26. Describe the Salt March and the people that accompany Gandhi?
27. Describe how and why the British attitude toward the Salt March changes? What
do they begin to do?
28. How many people are arrested? Have the Indians committed any violence from
the brutal arrest and beatings?
29. Gandhi’s is called to London to meet with the British. In what way was Gandhi’s
visit to London unsuccessful? In what way was it successful?
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Scene 7: The partition of India
(Note it is approximately 17 years after the Salt March and Britain in involved in WWII)
30. What dilemma did the newly independent India face? What “solution” was
chosen? Why?
31. Describe the scene during the mass migration at the border of Pakistan and India?
32. What begins to happen in the major cities of India?
33. How and why does the disturbance end?
34. How did Gandhi die?
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