Mohandas Gandhi played a very important role in our world history. The things he accomplished during his lifetime, many people forever thank him for. There are two significant changes that occurred as a result of Gandhi’s actions: Indian’s gaining full independence and when he led the Salt March to protest against Britain. Mohandas Gandhi was shocked by the treatment of Indian immigrants in South Africa, so he joined the struggle to obtain basic rights for them. (BBC, 2013) He developed a non-violent way to address the wrong doings with speeches and protest, which attracted millions of followers, including the South African government. During his time, Gandhi led three major movements that he turned into political weapons. They were the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Civil Disobedience Movement, and the Quit India Movement. (Indian independence movement, n.d.) The Civil Disobedience Movement caused for the whole nation to join Gandhi in his fight against the British. This started the negotiating of the Indian Independence, but at this point the British were still not ready to let go. (Maps of India, 2004) After 15 more years, and a few more arrest, Gandhi finally had the chance to talk to Britain’s new government about the independence the nation craved. He sensed they wanted more power, so he distanced himself from the negotiations. Even so, the government eventually conceded too many of Gandhi’s demands, which led to the Indian Independence Act 1947. (Indian independence movement, n.d.) opposition One of Gandhi’s protests that was a significant political change was the Civil Disobedience Movement, which included the Salt March. It was a non-violent march protesting the British Salt Tax because the British were not compromising with the pleas for the Indian independence. When the Salt Tax made it illegal to sell or produce salt, everyone in India was affected since it is necessary in your daily diet. This made the Indian’s buy the salt that they could not really afford. Gandhi and his 78 men marched 240 miles to the coast, speaking to the crowds and breaking the law by picking up the salt. He was thrown in jail, but the Salt March started a series of protest. It had a massive impact on the nation and the world with everyone focused on India. Picketing of foreign goods and liquors and refusal to pay taxes were just a few of the ways the nation rebelled against the British rule. (Maps of India, 2004) This march had a significant effect on changing British attitudes towards Indian independence. It was a major start in the change for the Indian’s.
Eleanor Roosevelt was also a leader that many looked up too. In the United States, she was one of the most respected and beloved women of the twentieth century. Mrs. Roosevelt was known for being a passionate advocate for the rights of women, racial and ethnic minorities, and the poor. (Ryskamp, n.d.). She did many things that were significant for our nation, but the two that stand out to me are her role as the First Lady and her involvement in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Mrs. Roosevelt’s role as First Lady ran 3 full terms. During her time in the White House, she did more than any other First Lady had. She became very involved in Civil Rights and the New Deal reforms. Mrs. Roosevelt helped America get through the Great Depression, as well as racism. (Weatherford, n.d.) She embraced the African-Americans with ways to help get them to freedom. Mrs. Roosevelt fought for their education, living standards, and even the African-Americans part in the military. She helped make the military the first major institution to integrate, saying that blacks were just as capable then the whites. (Black History, 2003) Eleanor Roosevelt is easily classified as our greatest First Lady.
Mrs. Roosevelt was rooted in her humanitarian convictions and her respect for all. Being the head of the Human Rights Commission, she was one of the most influential members in writing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Mrs. Roosevelt was a major factor in getting this declaration recognized by all nations, for she was the driving force behind it. She worked to the end of her life to gain acceptance and enactment of the rights. Thanks to Mrs. Roosevelt, we have a declaration that is an accepted standard of achievement for all nations. (Persistent Lunatic, 2005).

References
BBC. (2013). Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948). History. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/gandhi_mohandas.shtml
Benner, Alana. (9/12/2003). The Gandhi salt march. WebChron, India and Southern Asia Chronology. Retrieved from http://thenagain.info/webchron/India/SaltMarch.html
Black History Review. (2003). Eleanor Roosevelt. Retrieved from http://www.blackhistoryreview.com/biography/ERoosevelt.php
Indian Independence movement. (n.d.). Wiki. Retrieved April 17th, 2013, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_independence_movement
Maps of India. (2004). Civil disobedience movement. Retrieved from http://www.mapsofindia.com/personalities/gandhi/civil-disobedience.html
Persistent Lunatic. (2005). What did Eleanor Roosevelt do to improve human rights [Message 1]? Message posted to http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080920015458AAlQab9
Ryskamp, Dani Alexis. (n.d.) Eleanor Roosevelt: famous first lady and U.N. delegate. About. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/a/Eleanor-Roosevelt.htm Weatherford, Doris. (n.d.). Eleanor Roosevelt. National Women’s History Museum. Retrieved from http://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/eleanor-roosevelt/