2. Change of heart of the oppressors
2. Ultimate freedom through sacrifice
A. Summary of GandhiÆs view of freedom
B. Assessment of effectiveness of Satyagraha
In Mohandas K. GandhiÆs ôSatyagraha,ö the Indian leader provides his discussion of how the Indians can free themselves of the oppression of colonial rule. The continual willingness of the Indian people to obey the will of the British colonialists is the main reason Gandhi believes Britain can control and oppress his nation and its inhabitants. Through a process of action he labeled ôSatyagraha,ö truth and standing firmly, Gandhi believed the ôcalm and dignifiedö suffering of those guilty of civil disobedience would force a change in the oppressors that would result in the true liberation or freedom of his nation and people from outside forces.
The concept or process of Satyagraha is the main means Gandhi felt would bring freedom to India and its inhabitants from occupied rule by Britain. Within this process, Gandhi maintained that the Indian people had been too subservient to the will of the British. To counteract this, Gandhi advocated that Indians begin to oppose any unjust laws visited upon them by the British. In this manner, British officials would have little choice but to acquiesce as Gandhi did not believe they could use arms to conquer India. By opposing unjust laws en masse, Gandhi believed that Hindus would be able to send a clear message to the British:
It is then for Hindus and Mussalmans to offer a united from to the whole of the Christian powers of Europe and tell them that weak as India is, she has still got the capacity of preserving her self-respe
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