Independence at Last

Hindustan Times: An Indian Newspaper after India gained its freedom

   It took India several attempts before they officially won their freedom and independence. The Indian people had tried everything from revolts to non-violence, but in the end, it was the non-violent ways of Mohandas Gandhi that prevailed.

   Gandhi was an activist who led India to their freedom. He believed in total non-violence and inspired many all over the world. Originally, Gandhi was from India, but he ventured to London in his youth and studied law. From there he traveled to Africa and finally returned to India in 1914. He tried to fix the situation that his people were in, specifically those in poverty, and wound up in jail. They did not release him until 1931. It was after his release that he proposed one of his greatest ideas. [E]

   At the time, Britain was struggling to fight against Hitler in Germany while also trying to keep control over all the colonies that they had conquered over time – who were all trying to gain their freedom. Seeing this as an opportunity, Gandhi offered Britain a compromise – India would aid Britain in the war in return for their freedom at the end of the war. Britain turned down Gandhi’s deal, which led to many revolts throughout India (despite Gandhi’s non-violence beliefs). Realizing that they were being attacked not only from the outside but from the inside of their nation too, Britain finally decided to comply with Gandhi’s offer [A].

   India did their part as promised and when the war against Germany ended in May 1945, the British announced that they would grant India their freedom [A].
 
   After over 100 years of British conquest, India officially became independent on August 15, 1947. The British had suppressed and rejected many of India’s attempts to become an independent nation, but they finally gave in due to World War II pressure and Gandhi’s movements.