Writing report title page
This world has witnessed many leaders who have been successful in bringing about much needed change in the social and governmental field. Their contributions have been remarkable in shaping the future of nations and continents and the world altogether. Be it racial discrimination or social injustice, these leaders took up the responsibility of setting the wrong things right. These leaders have had a marked influence on millions of people, and their contribution towards the evolution of mankind is priceless. Mahatma Gandhi is considered as one of the greatest leaders in the world due to his principles and different yet effective methods of struggle whereas (Huth, 1995)Susan Brownell Anthony is one of those leaders of America who is regarded as a pioneer for women empowerment.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as ‘Bapu’ is regarded as the ‘Father of Nation’ was born in the small town of Porbandar, in Gujarat on 2nd October, 1869. However, his efforts and his contribution are not limited to the boundaries of India. His contribution has been felt worldwide, and he is one of the most respected world leaders of all times. He is remembered as the non-violent agitator who compelled the British to leave India, thereby freeing the nation from the shackles of British rule (Chadha, 1997).
The biggest contribution of Gandhiji has to be the movement inspired by non-violent methods (Gandhi, 1959). Martin Luther King Jr. and many other renowned leaders took to his principle of ‘ahimsa’ and removed the evil methods and customs of the society. He was a man of principles who did not believe in violence and followed a non-violent path. Amidst consequent lathi charge and firing, Gandhiji rose as the leader who preached non-violence yet fought for the needs of the people. His movements in India are famous around the world for the ways in which they stood out. The Dandi march and the Satyagraha movement (March 12, 1930) were milestones in not just Indian history but in world history. Gandhiji is regarded as one of the world’s greatest leaders who had a remarkable influence in South Africa, where the people there were fighting for the apartheid. His principles of ‘ahimsa’ and ‘satyagraha’ were incorporated in the struggle in South Africa to fight against racial discrimination. Similar to the results in India, the dark skinned people eventually won the struggle by following the principles laid down by Mahatma Gandhi.
The Dandi March in 1930 was one of those revolutions that still remains in the heart and soul of every Indian. Non-cooperation was a format that was initiated by Gandhiji and still continues to be effective. A group of freedom fighters embarked on this walk to the Sabarmati Ashram, which was located on the sea shore and started making salt in response to the heavy taxes levied by the British. This was one of the biggest breakthroughs in Indian history as people realized that non-violent methods could well be effective in achieving what they wanted. Gandhiji left his impact on various other nations that were dealing with foreign imperialism. He is a pioneer in world history who changed the way leaders behaved.
There is no doubt that violence still prevails in India and the world. However, there are many people who follow Gandhian principles and live by non-violent ways and methods. He is responsible for bringing down the rate of violence as people deciphered a different method of fighting for their rights that were more effective (Erkson, 1969). Non-cooperation movements, peaceful rallies and marche’s are organized in every part of the world. These methods were borne out of the world leader named Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi,who left the world but immortalized himself by his deeds and principles.
The United States is considered as one of those nations where sex discrimination is not rampant at all. And such women are given equal preference compared to men. People living in the 21st century consider the United States of America to be one of the most modernized nations without any social evils whatsoever. However, had it not been for great leaders such as (Douglass, 2012)Susan Brownell Anthony, America would still have been strangled by the evils of favoritism towards male sex and slavery, two evils that have wrecked the world and mankind alike in the past. Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820 in Adams, Massachusetts.
(Lewis, 1999)Susan Brownell Anthony was an American civil rights leader and feminist. She dedicated her entire life towards the noble cause of women empowerment. She also fought for the abolition of slavery and was responsible for bringing an end to this inhuman custom. The 19th century witnessed the Women’s rights movement wherein woman’s suffrage was heightened and brought up in the public eye. She was one of the pioneers of the movement who later went on to be one of the co-founders of the National Women Suffrage Association in 1869. Her contribution towards anti-slavery and women empowerment is considered as priceless that enabled the women of America, to match shoulders with the men of the land.
She was a powerful orator and agitator who spoke from the heart on social and political issues thereby creating awareness. It was a result of her inspiring speeches and writings that the women of America, finally took the initiative to step out and entered different fields many of which women rule today. Women, at that time, weren’t given the respect due to them in society and Anthony felt the need to put a halt to this practice. She dedicated her entire life towards the betterment of the condition of women and her efforts did yield desired results later on. Her efforts had rippling effects in other nations as well, wherein women stepped out to put an end towards the evil practice of sex discrimination.
Slavery has been one of those illegal practices that have been criticized by researchers and empirical studies have revealed the torture inflicted on these people. Anthony, even before the American Civil Rights war, was a part of the anti-slavery and temperance movements and worked tirelessly to put an end to slavery. She fought for the black skinned people and the women who were treated as inferior parts of the society. In developing the world as, such (McCown, 2013)Susan Brownell Anthony is to be remembered for her services and her efforts that enabled a better future for the generations to come.
These leaders have made remarkable contributions and changed the world that we live in for the better. Living in the 21st century, this globalized world with lesser social evils is a result of the efforts and contribution of these leaders who spent their entire life in bringing about much needed change in society. Their contribution bettered lives of the generations to come and ensured the well being of the society and mankind.
References
Chadha, Y (1997) Gandhi: A Life. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Erkson, E (1969), Gandhi‟s truth; on the origins of militant Non-violence, New York: Norton and Company.
Gandhi, M (1959) Collected works of Mahatma Gandhi(Vol. 45), Delhi Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India
Huth, M (1995) Biographies of Influential Suffragists, Retrieved 25 January 2014, from http://www.rochester.edu/sba/suffragebios.html.
Douglass, F (2012) Women’s Suffrage, Retrieved 25 January 2014, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/frederick-douglass/
Biography of Susan B. Anthony, Retrieved 25 January 2014, from http://susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.php
Lewis, JJ (1999) Women's Suffrage Pioneer Spokesperson, Retrieved 25 January 2014, from http://womenshistory.about.com/od/anthonysusanb/a/anthony.htm
McCown A, (2013) What is Past is Prologue, The Victim’s Informer, Texas Crime Victim ClearingHouse, Vol. 18, No. 1, March-April 2013.
