2015 Gandhi and Non-Violence Mini-Q Document Questions Handout
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You may either write out the answers neatly in the space provided or download this from my
teacherpage in Word format and type up your answers. (I recommend typing them up as it is
easier to also cut and paste information from the PowerPoint Lecture to use with your
answers. And if I cannot read your handwriting, then you receive no credit!)
When you answer the document questions, you should also include information from your
CLASS AND READING NOTES! Your answers are NOT TO BE BASED SOLEY ON THE
DOCUMENTS!
Document A: “Letter to Lord Irwin”
1. Who is the “Friend” that Gandhi is writing this letter to? What is the meaning of “civil
disobedience”?
2.
Why is Gandhi so opposed to the salt tax?
3. What is the specific act of civil disobedience that Gandhi is threatening to carry out? Why?
4. Why do you think Gandhi tells Lord Irvin that he dreads carrying out an act of civil
disobedience? Is civil disobedience always a non-violent tactic? Why or why not?
5. How does this letter help explain why Gandhi’s tactics were successful? Explain with
examples of his non-violent actions.
Documents B: “They That Turn The Cheek” and Photo
1. What was the date of the march of Gandhi’s followers to the salt works of Dharasana? Who
organized and took part in this march?
2. Where was Gandhi on the day of the Salt March? Why?
3.
What evidence is there in the document that the marchers were disciplined? How is this also
supported by what we have learned in class?
4. What evidence is there in the document that the marchers practiced non-violent resistance?
How is this also supported by what we have learned in class?
5.
It is recorded that the Salt March story filed by eyewitness reporter Webb Miller was carried
by 1350 newspapers around the world. Explain why this is important when explaining the
success of Gandhi’s movement.
Document C: Gandhi’s Reflections on South Africa
1.
What was Gandhi doing in Johannesburg in 1908? What happened to him during his time in
South Africa that gave birth to his non-violent methods?
2.
What might explain why Gandhi asked the Magistrate (judge) to give him a heavy penalty?
What does this tell us about Gandhi and his thinking behind non-violent protest?
3. During his lifetime, how many days did Gandhi spend in jail? How does this relate to the
success of his non-violent methods?
4. Explain how Gandhi could use personal time in jail as an effective way to bring about nonviolent change in India. Consider its effects on followers, on opponents, and on world
opinion.
Document D: Garretto Political Cartoon
1. What is the old folk belief on which this cartoon is based? Why would the cartoonist use this
folk tale to represent Gandhi and his actions?
2. How is the British Empire represented in the cartoon? Why? How does this relate to what we
have learned about the British rule of India?
3. What is the date of the cartoon? What historical event triggered this cartoon? Explain.
4. What is Gandhi’s relationship with the lion? Does Gandhi regard the British as “the enemy”?
Explain why or why not with historical evidence.
5.
How does this document illustrate Gandhi’s non-violent tactics for achieving political change?
Explain with historical evidence.
6. What is the source of the document? Does this indicate that Gandhi’s tactics for achieving
greater freedom for India are enjoying some success? Explain why or why not with historical
evidence.
Mini-Q Essay Outline Guide
Working Title:
Introduction/Paragraph One:
Hook/Attention Grabber:
Background Information:
Thesis Statement:
Body/Paragraph Two:
Baby Thesis/First Main Argument for Bucket One:
Evidence: Supporting Details from Class and Reading Notes:
Evidence: Supporting Details from Documents:
Argument: Connect the Evidence to the Thesis:
Body/Paragraph Three:
Baby Thesis/First Main Argument for Bucket Two:
Evidence: Supporting Details from Class and Reading Notes:
Evidence: Supporting Details from Documents:
Argument: Connect the Evidence to the Thesis:
Body/Paragraph Four:
Baby Thesis/First Main Argument for Bucket Three:
Evidence: Supporting Details from Class and Reading Notes:
Evidence: Supporting Details from Documents:
Argument: Connect the Evidence to the Thesis:
Conclusion/Paragraph Five:
Review of Main Points:
Conclusion Statement: “Although....” statement followed by convincing restatement of your
thesis:
Final Closure with Reference to Hook/Grabber: