british imperialism in britain in india: chapter 14 section 3
TRANSCRIPT
BRITISH IMPERIALISM IN
BRITAIN IN INDIA: CHAPTER 14 SECTION 3
In the beginning…
1757o Robert Clive
leads British East India
Company in a decisive victory in India gaining
power in the area
The British East India Company
Who were they?
An English company that was formed initially for
pursuing trade with the East Indies, but ended up
trading with India and China
Rule in India
• Ruled India for 100 years
• Had it’s own army: included SEPOYS (Indian
soldiers)
Britain’s “Jewel in the Crown”
o Name given to India because it was seen as the most valuable of
Britain’s colonies
Why valuable?
o Major supplier of raw materials
o Huge population of people lived there who the British could sell their goods to
Impact of Colonialism
Positive
o Building of railroad in India enabled the
country to modernize
o For example: schools founded and literacy
increased
Negative
o Britain held most of the power in India as
they put many restrictions on Indian
businesses
o Traditional Indian life was threatened
Social Class in India
The Sepoy Mutiny
By 1850, Indian people were fed up with British rule in their country
Indian people felt that:British were trying to convert them to ChristianityBritish were very oppressive
So…after the rumor about the bullets oiled up with beef and pork fat, the Sepoys revolted against the British
Video of Sepoy soldier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLE542NoWC8&feature=related
Did it work??
NOo Indians couldn’t unite because…
1. weak leadership
2. Hindus didn’t get along with the Muslims
Turning Point…
As a result of Sepoy Mutiny, Britain’s gov’t took direct control of India
Racist attitudes of British soldiers increased…“ It is this consciousness of the inherent superiority of the European which has won for us India. However well educated and clever a native may be, and however brave he may prove himself, I believe that no rank we can bestow on him would cause him to be considered an equal of the British officer.”
Lord Kitchener, British commander in chief in Indiao Distrust between British and Indians increased
Ram Mohun RoyModern thinking, well
educated Indian
o Indian reformist who called his countrymen to break away from arranged child marriages and the rigid caste system
o This would free India from others ruling them
Nationalism in India
Nationalist groups formed who fought for self – government
Partition of Bengal
Britain split province into 2 sections: (Muslim and Hindu) making it hard for Indians to
unite for independence against the British…