Chapter 12, Section 4: British Imperialism in India

How did the British rule directly?

(1) A viceroy, who was British, was appointed to govern India in the name of the queen AND (2)The British were given all the top level government and business positions in the country.

It is important to understand how British policy would eventually lead up to the mutiny in 1857 - 1858.

(1) Beginning in the early 1600's, the BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY won trading rights on the fringe of the Mughal Empire, As the empire's power lessened, the Company's grew. (2) For over two hundred years, the Company's main policy was to make money as they took advantage of India's diversity to do so.

What was the end result of the Sepoy Mutiny?

(1) Eventually, the British put down the rebellion and in the end, a bitter legacy of hatred and mistrust was created between the sides. (2) From this point on, the British took control from the East India Company and ruled India directly.

What unpopular policies did the British introduce?

(1) Introducing Christianity (2) Ending slavery and the caste system (3) Improving the position of women in the family (4) Ending the tradition of sati

From the British point of view, what positives effects did the British bring India?

(1) The British brought peace (2) They revised the legal system (3) The Indians learned Western ways (4)The 3rd largest railway system was developed

What was the British goals in India?

(1) The British goal was to make money. (2) So they set out with policies to ensure their monetary goals will be met.

How did the British create a sense of Indian nationalism?

(1) The British, also inadvertently, by educating Indians in Britain, lead to a growing sense of nationalism in India and the creation of the Indian National Congress. (from the Indian point of view, this is a good thing) (2) In 1885, these western educated nationalist leaders organized the Indian National Congress. (3) The Congress called for greater democracy which they felt would bring greater power to themselves (4)Eventually, by 1947, after World War 2, this will happen, but only after a long struggle.

What were the causes of the Sepoy Rebellion

(1) The Sepoy Rebellion is often referred to as the Sepoy Mutiny. (2) This occurred in 1857-1858 when the Sepoy soldiers serving in her majesty's service attempt to overthrow British rule in India. (3) It will fail and leave a bitter legacy of hatred and fear between the British and the native Indians.

What were the causes of the Sepoy Mutiny?

(1) The first sign of trouble was when high-caste Indians were assigned overseas duty. This was an offense against their religion. (2) The second sign of trouble was a law passed that allowed widowed Hindu women to remarry. (3) Hindus viewed both of these as Christian conspiracy to undermine their beliefs. The fourth was the straw that broke the camel's back! (4a) In 1857, the British issued Enfield rifles to the Sepoy. (4b) In order to use them, you were required to bite the tips of the cartridges. (4c) Unfortunately, the tips were greased from animal fat - either from cows, which Hindus considered sacred, or from pigs, which Muslims considered dirty animals and would not eat. (4d) The Sepoy refused to follow their orders to load their weapons, and thus, were disbanded from the military. (4e) Angrily, many Sepoy openly rebelled.

Define: British East India Company

A joint stock company that controlled most of India during the period of imperialism. This company controlled the political, social, and economic life in India for more than 200 years.

Define: Suez Canal

A ship canal in northeastern Egypt linking the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea

How did the British inadvertently cause massive famines?

Because the British forced Indians to grow cash crops only, the Indians no longer grew actual food to feed its population. As a result, massive famines will occur......... (1) The British introduced new farming methods to increase food production (2) They also improved the health care system (3) This led to a huge increase in the Indian population (4) Because the Indians were forced to grow cash crops and not food crops, the food supply was strained (5) As a result, millions of people began to starve, all in the name of British profits.

Define: cash crop

Crops that are farmed because of their value and trade

How did the British maximize profits?

In order to maximize profits, the British: (1) Built a railroad system (2) Built a telegraph system (3) Built the Suez Canal to increase trade (4) Forced the Indians to buy and sell only British goods (5)Forced the Indians to grow cash crops

Define: Sepoy

Indian soldiers that serves in the british army

Define: viceroy

Representatives of a king/queen

Why was India considered the most important colony of the British?

The "Brightest Jewel of the British Crown" provided: (1) Cash crop. Items such as tea and cotton were in demand in Britain and could only be grown here. (2) Room for ever expanding British population to move to (and live lavishly) AND (3) A captive market trade with India's large population would provide a huge market by which to buy and sell British goods.

What were the positive effects? (Viewed from the British perspective)

They had what they believed were positive effects, such as: (1) Improving roads (2) Preserving peace (3) Reducing banditry (4) Doing there items created greater political stability and allowed economic prosperity.

Define: nationalism

belief that people should be loyal mainly to their nation-to the people with whom they share a culture and history-rather than to a king or an empire. feeling of pride and devotion to ones country

Define: famine

sever lack of food-leads to malnutrition [which is not enough proper nutrition]