Gandhi

Satyagraha - The force of truth and love.
             It took Gandhi nearly his entire life to free his people of British rule. He was always looking for ways to hurt the British peacefully, such as boycotting products. One way that he did this was with spinning, the process of making clothes. Gandhi only wore handmade clothes and at one time had thousands of people making their own clothes. This is where Gandhi got his world known appearance. At this time the majority of the clothes that were available were sold by the British. Another thing that he did was boycott salt. All salt in India was sold by the British, and even though India could easily provide salt for itself, the British outlawed it. Because of Gandhi people all over India made their own salt and sold it. This of course was illegal and many were arrested. The book comments about salt boycott's effectiveness: "The symbolism was crystal clear, the act itself uncomplicated but on a grand scale. The point could not be mistaken by followers, enemies, or the world at large. And like so many of Gandhi's campaigns, it had a wonderfully practical end as well." By this the book means that while India is hot and people need salt, it is also surrounded by salt water making the boycott as easy as could be.
             The way that Gandhi solved problems was what was so unique and well known about him. He believed heavily in uncooperation and civil disobedience. Every time he went to jail for his actions, he welcomed it knowing that he had won again. Gandhi spread this idea throughout India, and led many strikes and boycotts. Thousands of people who made and sold salt, were arrested. At one point in time 40% of India's entire Indian population was in jail. In one situation that Gandhi got caught in the middle of, factory workers went on strike because of their wages. The workers wanted to raise their wages by 50% because of an outbreak of a plague, while the mill would only offer a 20% pay increase.