There are many similarities between Thoreau's speech and Gahndi's speech. Both men were extremely important figures in during the period Thoreau being a leader of the Transcendentalist movement and Gahndi being the most important person in India and fighting for Indian independence from the English crown. The two were extremely strong-willed and knew what they were fighting against and wrote essays or in Gahndi's case gave a speech highlighting all the issues and tackling them all in a very sophisticated and well-done manner. The issues they were fighting for were in essence the same and actually Gahndi has stated he was influenced by Thoreau's writings and the Transcendentalist movement so the similarities are that much more evident.
The theme of the two writings are the same, both are up in arms and refuse to pay a tax, but for different reasons. Thoreau writes about not paying the poll tax because he believes it screws out the poor and thus they aren't allowed to vote and voice their opinion, which he sees as extremely jaded and a step backwards for the country. Gahndi on the other hand wrote a speech in which he addressed the public directly and talked about the importance of not paying the salt tax that was coming. He talks about what would happen if they refused to pay taxes and why they should. At one point Gahndi says "Even free India will not be able to accommodate a greater number of public servants. A Collector then will not need the number of servants, he has got today. He will be his own servant. Our starving millions can by no means afford this enormous expenditure. If, therefore, we are sensible enough, let us bid good-bye to Government employment, no matter if it is the post of a judge or a peon. Let all who are co-operating with the Government in one way or another, be it by paying taxes, keeping titles, or sending children to official schools, etc. withdraw their co-operation in all or as many watts as possible (Digital.)" This line acknowledges what will happen after the people achieve a free India and what will happen to the government workers. Gahndi holds no resentment towards the civil workers but expresses his disdain with the government itself and the higher ups who make the decisions, similar to Thoreau who dislikes the higher ups in the government and the aristocracy in America.
These are a few of the similarities and differences between Thoreau and Gahndi. Gahndi was more direct and selective of his audience and knew the point would get across to the correct people and action would be taken as a direct result of his speech and his writings. Thoreau on the other hand was not a public speaker, but a writer. He only hoped that the right people would read his message and take action, inspired by what he wrote. The principles and themes of the two essays are the same but the method of delivery is drastically different for both.
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