Chapter 12, Section 4: British Imperialism in India

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 Companies grew (2) For over two hundred years, the Company's main policy was to make money as they took advantage of India's 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

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. (2)In 1885, these western educated nationalist leaders organised 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 WW2, this will happen, but only after a long struggle

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 and developed

What were the causes of the Sepoy Rebellion

(1)The Sepoy Rebellion is often reffered to as the Sepoy Munity (2)This occurred in 1857-1858 when the Sepoy soldiers serving in her majesty's service attempted 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-case 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 udermine 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 off the tips (4c)the tips were greased with animal fat - either from cows (which is sacred to Hindus) or from pigs (which is dirty to Muslims) (4d) The Sepoy refused to follow their orders to load their weapons, and thus, were disbanded from the military (4e)Angrilly, many Sepoy openly rebelled

How did the British rule directly?

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

What was the British goals in India?

(1)to make money (2)So they set out with policies to ensure their monetary goals would be met.

Suez Canal

A canal linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. It was a vital trade route in the British Empire during imperialism, and continues to link North Africa and Europe to Asia today.

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.

nationalism

A sense of national pride to such an extent of exalting one nation above all others

Sepoy

A soldier in South Asia, especially in the service of the British.

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 health care system (3)This leads to a huge increase in the Indian population (4)Because Indians were forced to grow cash crops ans not food crops, the food supply was strained (5)As a result, millions of people starved, all in the name of British profits

viceroy

Governor of a country or province who rules as the representative of his or her king or sovereign.

How did the British maximize profits?

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

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

The "Brightest Jewel of the British Crown" provided: (1)Cash crops. Items such as tea and cotton were in demand in Britain and could only be grown here. (2)Room for an ever expanding British population to move and (3)A captive market to 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

cash crop

a readily salable crop that is grown and gathered for the market (as vegetables or cotton or tobacco)

famine

a severe shortage of food (as through crop failure) resulting in violent hunger and starvation and death