4.11BRITISH IMPERIALISM IN INDIA

Using cash crops to strengthen one

empire, while devastating

another…

INTRODUCTION IMAGE #1:

INTRODUCTION IMAGE #2:

CHART #1:

CHART #2:

TURN AND TALK… What is one question that you had on

either chart?

Try to figure out an answer for your questions

EAST INDIA TRADING COMPANY Leading power in India Officially, the British government

regulated the East India Company’s efforts both in London and in India

Until the early 19th century, the East India Co. ruled India with little interference from the British government

Even had its own army, led by British officers

A “JEWEL IN THE CROWN” India was considered the most

valuable of all of Britain’s colonies.

Thus, Britain considered India its brightest “jewel” in its “crown”

India was a major supplier of raw materials

300 million people in India also made it a large potential for British-made goods

BRITISH CONTROL The British set up restrictions that

prevented the Indian economy from operating on its own

Policies required India to produce raw materials (cash crops) for British manufacturing and to buy British finished goods (such as cheap cloth)

Example: you grow corn on your land, but have to buy corn tortillas and “corn on the cob” from someone else (so they make all the profit)

MORE ON BRITISH CONTROL Indian goods (goods made in India)

were not allowed to compete with British goods

The British establish a railroad network in India, making it economically valuable (remember, economics have to do with money or wealth)

Establishing a railroad network meant easier and more trading…which meant the British needed more resources (cash crops) to trade = more $$$ for the British

TURN AND TALK (TNT): How much control did India have over its production of resources?Justify your answer

Yes…because…No…because…

CASH CROPS Food crops replaced with “cash

crops” Cash crops were crops (goods) that

could be sold for profit (exported to Europe, benefit Britain)

Since the trading companies were owned and operated by the British and not the Indians…the British gained the Gold and the Glory

MORE ABOUT CASH CROPS… Cash crops included:

Jute (fiber used to make sacks and cord)

Wheat, oilseeds, tea, cotton, indigo, coffee, opium

So: India produces

opium and then British ship it to China

China gives tea in exchange

Tea is sold to England (British empire)

British profit on all ends!!!

A JUTE BAG…AND OPIUM FIELDS

TURN AND TALK (TNT): What are some + / - of replacing all your crops with “cash crops” (especially non-edible)?

POSTIVE IMPACT: MODERNIZATION Railroad system allowed India to

develop a modern economy and brought unity to the different regions

Also helped to modernize:Modern road networkTelephone and telegraph linesDams, bridges, and irrigation canals

MODERNIZATION CON’T… Sanitation and public health

improved

Schools and colleges founded, literacy increased

British troops put an end to local warfare among competing rulers

NEGATIVE IMPACT: FAMINE (FOOD SHORTAGE)

TURN AND TALK (TNT): How did the use of cash crops impact India?Was it a positive and/or negative impact? How did it impact them positively? How did it impact them negatively?

Why did this happen? (what happened to cause this situation?)

SUMMARY: USE OF CASH CROPS TO STRENGTHEN BRITISH EMPIRE…AND WEAKEN THE INDIAN COLONY

British had most of the political and economic power in India India couldn’t control its production of

resources or commerce (buying, selling, trading)

British restricted Indian-owned industries such as textiles (cloth)Which resulted in loss of economic stability

SUMMARY (CON’T.) Emphasis on cash crops resulted in a

loss of self-sufficiency (independent living) for many Indians due to reduced food productionwhich caused a major famine (food

shortage; starvation) British modernized India

Improved education, sanitation, transportation, irrigation, and communication

Made economically valuable