Imperializing India
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Transcript Imperializing India
Imperializing
India
Guiding Question:
Did British policies over
India have a more positive
or negative effect?
Motivation behind Imperialism
British wanted the riches of India
Estb. British East India Company (1600)
Company set up a Sphere of Influencecontrolled trade
Goal: Make money (raw materials & new
markets)
Why were the British able to
take over India so easily?
India made up with a diverse population
1600 – Mughal Empire began to fall, further
dividing India
Indians of different languages/ cultures couldn’t
unite vs. British
GB took advantage of divisions
Mid 1800’s: GB controlled 3/5 of India
British Policies
By early 1800’s:
– Introduced western education
– Brought western legal procedures
– Tried to convert Indians to Christianity
British Policies Cont’…
Social Changes:
– Helping India modernize
– End Slavery
– End “Caste System”
– Improve position of women
in the family
– Outlaw sati
British Policies Cont’…
Government:
– British officials held the top
positions in the govt. &
military
– Indians filled other jobs
– India became crown jewel
of British economy
Discontent of British Rule
Many natives unhappy with new
policies:
– Military required sepoys to serve
anywhere in India or overseas
– Passed law that Hindu widows could
remarry
– Ammunition for new guns greased
with animal fat
Sepoys Rebellion (1857)
GB issued new rifles to the sepoys
Sepoys refused to reload the rifles
b/c of the grease from animal fat
Began being sent home w/o pay
Angry sepoys rose up vs. British
officials
Sepoys Rebellion Cont’…
Rebellion swept across
northern & central India
Brutal conflict
Sepoys massacred British
men, women, & children
British squashed revolt &
slaughtered thousands of
unarmed Indians
Sepoy’s Rebellion Cont’…
Results:
– Bitter feelings of hatred & fear on both sides
– 1858: Sphere of Influence Colony
British Viceroy governed over India in name of King
Sent more troops to India
Increased taxes on Indians
Benefits of Colonial Rule
Improved transportation
Built roads & railroads
New communication
Telegraph, postal system
Medical improvements
Better health care (medicines, techniques)
Agricultural Improvements
Nomadic herders were encouraged to settle
down
Increased food production
Education
Consequences of Colonial Rule
Famine: Agricultural changes Population
growth strain on food supply
Farms converted to produce cash crops
Massive deforestation to create farms
Famous hand-weaving industry overpowered by
GB’s machine made textiles
Indian View of British Culture
Some impressed by British power &
technology wanted to modernize
Others felt progress & change could be
found through their own tradition (Muslim/
Hindu Culture)
British Views of Indian Culture
Some admired Indian
culture & beliefs
Others knew little
about the culture &
preferred their
western ways
Indian Nationalism Develops
Improvements in transportation &
communication bridged regional differences
British education of democracy & equality
influenced natives dreams of ending
imperial rule
Nationalism emerged
Indian Nationalism Develops
Cont’…
Indian National Congress (1885)
– Members: mainly professionals & business
leaders
– Believed in peaceful protest to gain
independence from British
Indian Nationalism Develops
Cont’…
Muslims & Hindus
worked together initially
Eventually the Muslims
resented the Hindu
domination of the
Congress
Indian Nationalism Develops
Cont’…
Result of tense feelings:
– Muslim League (1906)
– Muslims came together to pursue their own
goals
– Soon discussed idea of a separate Muslim state
Essential Question:
Did British policies over
India have a more positive
or negative effect?