Violence or Non-violence How to Gain Independence Essay Example

Violence or Non-violence How to Gain Independence Paper For every conflict there is a different method towards a resolution. After 1945 several countries under European rule strained for independence, of these many countries, India and Kenya waged two very different journeys to obtaining their goals of independence. India got there in 1947 after long periods of suffering through non-violent protests beginning in the early 1920s (Source 1. pg 1027). Kenya, however, turned to violence in 1952 in order to obtain their independence in 1963 (Source 1. pg 1116). After comparing these two countrys struggles for independence, a method of violence is a more defensible route. European colonies began in India during the early 1600s as a result of the trading companies (Text, pg 623). Realizing that India could not be controlled with out the help of its people, Britain began educating Indian people in order for them to hold political positions. In 1885, the Indian National Congress, was formulated and as a result the Hindu and Muslim people of India were brought together. This unity was ruptured with the British encouragement of the 1906 creation of the Muslim league (Text, pg 1027). Now, the divisions were clear and the only common cause of the two organizations was Indian independence. In 1915 an educated Indian by the name Mohandas Gandi, returned to India after being educated in London and worked in South Africa (Text, pg 1028). Gandi united the Indian people in massive movements, mainly the Non-cooperation Movement (1929-1922) and the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930. Britain did try to put down the Indian protesters violently. We will write a custom essay sample on Violence or Non-violence How to Gain Independence specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Violence or Non-violence How to Gain Independence specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Violence or Non-violence How to Gain Independence specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This was not unexpected after the 1919 incident where 379 Indian demonstrators were massacred in a protest (Text, pg 1028). Gandi was able to repeatedly rally Indian people in the face of brutality be convincing them that sacrifice on ones self is superior to the sacrificing of others (Doc 169, pg 169). The British complied with several demands for reform as a result of the passive resistance, but only enough to delay independence. Headway was finally made in 1937 when the Government of India Act was enabled by the British to give India the means to be a self-governed state (Text, pg 1028). Unfortunately, due to the Hindu and Muslim divisions, India did not obtain independence until 1947, when India was divided into separate religious states (Text, pg 1102). Indias non-violent methods to acquiring independence can only be attributed to the fact that there was a window of opportunity available to India. After the First World War, Britain was in period of weakened economic status following the U. S. Stock Market Crash of 1929 (Text, pg 1011). This economic disadvantage was only worse after the Second World War. The situation made it difficult for Britain to effectively keep control, and allowing for India to slowly break away (Text, pg 1102). Had the economic situation given Britain the resources to stop the Indian resistance, the outcome of a non-violent gain of independence would not have been possible. The British first colonized Kenya in 1895 (Web). African lands were initially of interest to Europeans in order to establish sources for raw materials and later a labor source. Kenya, like many others sent numerous people to die in European wars for no reward (Doc 158, pg 220). On top of that already serious resentment, heavy taxes, eviction from lands, and being forced into positions of wage slaves, just added to the mounting explosion. Non-violent measures began early in the 1940s, but no requests of reform were ever honored by the British (Text, pg 1116). Angered the frozen situation, several nationalist rose to violently oppose the British in 1952. Jomo Kenyatta was among the leaders of the Mau Mau force who was captured and exiled in 1953 (Web). The British announced a state of emergency, until the violence ended in 1956. British forces were actually the victors of the war for independence, but the people of Kenya continued to push for their cause until it was a reality in 1963 (Text, pg 1116). Kenya chose a violent route towards independence because it was cleat that protests and strikes werent making any leeway. Britain blatantly exploited and suppressed people across Africa, as well as repeatedly ignore Kenyan attempts to become active in their own government. The extreme extent to which the Kenyan people were mistreated explains why they resorted to violence. Only after Kenya displayed their willingness to sacrifice their own lives and take down as many British as possible, did it become evident that the Kenyan people would no longer stand to be railroaded. Comparing these countries a little closer, violence is the more defensible route because once it is used; the process of independence is much faster. It took India well over 25 years after the first movement, and Kenya about 10 years after the first violent act to gain independence from colonial control. The fact that Europeans were only interested in these countries for greed and power, further illustrates how little respect was given. It is also because of these motives that Britain was not going to let go without a fight. Despite the method used to gain independence (violent or non) Britain still used violence in an attempt to control. If violence is to be brought into the equation by colonial powers, it should not be felt only by the oppressed. It is only right that emerging independent nations step up to the plate ready and throw right back what ever is dealt. Another take on the pro-violence stance in that the use of violence can help heal the wounds of racial degradation from years of colonial control (Text, pg 1112). All the adds up to the fact that violence is the best bet for gaining independence. After comparing these two countrys struggles for independence, a method of violence is a more defensible route. It is apparent that a non-violent approach only works in narrow circumstances, so violence the best bet for gaining independence. Violence is faster, fair, and mentally satisfying for countries trying free themselves of colonial control. The resolution must parallel the severity of the problem to have effective results. Any other course of action would only delay (at best) the arrival of independence.