British imperialism in India British in India 1600
British imperialism in India • British in India (1600 s) – 1707 Mughal Empire collapsing – 1757 – 7 years’ war – British defeat the French and Indians • East India Company in control – a business – British Gov’t not involved – Company had its own army the Sepoys (Indian) • economic imperialism • India – fuel the industrial revolution – marketplace to sell British goods British Goods
• The Sepoy Mutiny – 1850 British controlled most of India – attempted to convert them to Christians • RUMOR – rifle cartridges (bullets) were greased in beef and pork fat • Had to bite off the end to use – Hindus – do not eat cow – Muslims – do not eat pork • OUTRAGED – Soldiers refused to use cartridges • Britain threw them in jail (bad idea) – Rebellion in northern India lasts a year • Indians cannot unite – Muslims and Hindus • Result – Britain takes over (Raj)
• 1947 – India gains independence – Led by Mahatma Gandhi – Civil Disobedience • Non- Violent Protest • Refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government – Influence Martin Luther King Jr. • Fasts (stop eating food) – Call attention to a cause
• Unlike much of Africa, India became very modern • Positives of Imperialism – British build: • Railroads & Roads – Make money – Travel • telegraph & telephone lines, dams, bridges, irrigation canals • Sanitation Systems • Schools • Hospitals – British Army puts an end to bandits and criminals – Religious Freedom
• Negatives of Imperialism – Indian had no control of: • Government • Economy – Could not own businesses – Could not decide what crops to grow » Forced to grow cotton, not food – famines • Scarcity of food • Racism
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