The essay will outline how Mahatma Gandhi´s and Nelson Mandela´s childhood and upbringing prepared them for future roles. It will look at the two political leaders within the time period of Mandela’s upbringing until his imprisonment and concerning Gandhi from his birth until the liberation of India.
Therefore, will this essay focus on their family background and their schooling in order to answer the question raised. Later on, will the author draw comparisons between the two of them and intend to illustrate how their early experiences influenced their political actions. In particular how it shaped and predetermined their attitude towards non-violent protest.
This is of importance in order to portray the lives of these two figures who shaped the history of the 20th like no other in an unpreceded, unique and non-violent manner. They both liberated their nation from enormous burdens, which had their cause and origin in the colonial past of the nations. Gandhi like Mandela enabled their nation to self-agency to overcome the suppressive colonial system, whereas Mandela succeeded in overcoming the racist system of apartheid.
The political leaders had both encountered racism only after they grew up and had therefore and idea that racism and suppression is not natural status and they therefore turned against racism. Gandhi is often referred to as the father of post-colonial India, and is perceived as one of the leading examples of practiced nonviolence as a form of conflict management and overcoming injustice. The public´s interest in his life and his concept of non-violence has been enormous even after his death. Especially, since several groups have referred to his concrete examples of non-violent civil disobedience.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Early Life and Childhood of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
3. Early Life and Childhood of Nelson Mandela
4. Comparison of Upbringing and Early Experiences
5. Definitions and Concepts of Non-violence
6. Satyagraha and the Salt March
7. The Shift from Non-violence to Armed Struggle in South Africa
8. Comparative Analysis of Political Struggles
9. Conclusion and Differences in Political Approach
Objectives and Themes
This essay explores how the childhood and early upbringing of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela shaped their political trajectories, leadership styles, and their respective commitments to or departures from the philosophy of non-violence.
- Analysis of family background and social status
- Impact of schooling and early life experiences on political awareness
- Examination of the Satyagraha movement in India
- Evaluation of the transition from non-violent resistance to armed struggle in South Africa
- Comparative assessment of leadership philosophies and moral foundations
Excerpt from the Book
Early Life and Childhood of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born by Putlibai who was the fourth wife of Karamchand Gandhi (1822-1885) on October 2, 1869, in the coast town of Porbandar in one of the small princely states and now part of the Indian state of Gujarat. He was the youngest among four children, two older brothers Laxmidas and Karsandas and an older sister Raliat. Moreover, he also had had two half-sisters, Muli and Panjunwar. Despite the fact that “Gandhi” meaning grocers, belonged to the cast of merchants they obtained influential political positions. His father was a Diwan, “the chief administrator and member of the court of Porbandar, and his grandfather that of the adjacent tiny state of Junagadh.“ (Brown 2011: p. 10) Both of them were employed by the prince and therefore knew the power structures and the habitus of the ruling class. Gandhi was widely influenced by the eclectic religious environment he grew up in.
His mother and father were believers of the “largely devotional Hindu cult of Vishnu.” (Parekh: p. 22) His mother belonged to the Pranami sect, which preached the harmonious co-existence of religions. The scholars do not doubt that her “religious fasts and vows,” (Parekh: p. 22) which he witnessed did leave a lasting impact on him. Another crucial religious influence on him had the religion of the Jains to which many of his father´s friends belonged which “preaches a strict doctrine of non-violence and self-discipline.” During his schooling he did not make a deep impact on his teacher he was described as being only an average student and being extremely shy. The experience of getting married to Kasturbai at the age of 13 year as a result of an arranged marriage “turned him into a bitter enemy of childhood marriage.” (Parekh: p. 22) Gandhi lost his father as a teenager and therefore had to adopt some of the task of the family leader quite early.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: The chapter introduces the scope of the comparative essay, focusing on the lives of Gandhi and Mandela from their early childhood until their peak political engagement.
Early Life and Childhood of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: This section details Gandhi's birth in Porbandar, his influential family background, and the religious environment that shaped his early perspectives on discipline and non-violence.
Early Life and Childhood of Nelson Mandela: This section covers Mandela's upbringing within a high-ranking Xhosa family, his Methodist schooling, and the pivotal experiences that led to his eventual politicization.
Comparison of Upbringing and Early Experiences: This chapter identifies the similarities in social status and education between the two leaders, noting how their early responsibilities prepared them for future challenges.
Definitions and Concepts of Non-violence: This section provides a theoretical framework for non-violence, specifically citing the political power dynamics described by Gene Sharp.
Satyagraha and the Salt March: This chapter analyzes Gandhi’s specific use of civil disobedience and Satyagraha to challenge British imperial rule in India.
The Shift from Non-violence to Armed Struggle in South Africa: This section explains the escalation of state violence in South Africa that compelled the ANC to move from non-violent protests to the formation of the MK.
Comparative Analysis of Political Struggles: This chapter synthesizes the shared motivations and strategies of both leaders while highlighting the impact of their shared loss of a father at an early age.
Conclusion and Differences in Political Approach: The final section reflects on the key differences in their resistance strategies, specifically contrasting Gandhi's dogmatic adherence to non-violence with Mandela's pragmatic turn to armed struggle.
Keywords
Mohandas Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Non-violence, Satyagraha, Apartheid, Colonialism, Civil Disobedience, African National Congress, Indian Independence, Political Struggle, Upbringing, Resistance, Social Inequality, Ethics, Leadership
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this work?
The work aims to examine how the childhood experiences and family backgrounds of Gandhi and Mandela prepared them for their respective roles as national leaders and symbols of social justice.
What are the central themes discussed in this essay?
The central themes include the influence of religious upbringing, the role of social status in political development, the methodology of non-violent resistance, and the adaptation of protest strategies against oppressive regimes.
Which scientific method is used?
The author employs a comparative biographical method, contrasting the lives and political developments of two major historical figures to illustrate broader patterns in leadership and non-violent political action.
What does the main body cover?
The main body investigates their childhoods, family circumstances, educational paths, the application of their political beliefs (Satyagraha vs. armed struggle), and the shift in tactics required by different historical contexts.
What is the core research question?
The research question asks how the childhood and upbringing of M. Gandhi and N. Mandela specifically prepared them for their future roles as political leaders.
How is the term non-violence characterized?
Non-violence is characterized as a political instrument of silent protest that relies on the withdrawal of obedience and support from the ruling authority, rather than mere passivity.
How did their loss of a father influence them?
The author argues that losing their fathers at a young age forced both leaders to assume adult responsibilities prematurely, which in turn cultivated a sense of duty and resilience vital for their future struggles.
Why did Mandela shift to armed resistance?
Mandela shifted to armed resistance because the South African government responded to peaceful protests with increased brutality, rendering non-violent methods ineffective in the eyes of the ANC leadership.
What role did religion play for Gandhi?
Religion, particularly the cult of Vishnu, the Pranami sect, and Jainism, played a foundational role in shaping Gandhi's concepts of altruism, self-discipline, and absolute non-violence.
How does the author contrast their views on the state?
While both fought against injustice, Gandhi maintained a dogmatic commitment to non-violence as a moral principle, whereas Mandela adopted a pragmatic approach, choosing the most effective method for his specific national struggle.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Otto Möller (Autor:in), 2014, Did Gandhi's and Mandela's childhood and upbringing prepare them for future roles?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/459779
