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?