Trade Between India and Britain

Economic Imperialism The British use India for its Resources British use these resources to Manufacture Finished Goods The British then use India as a Market to Sell their Finished Goods British laws in India prohibited the Indians from producing their own goods India would become more profitable once railroads were built to improve transportation The trade in Indian Resources and British Finished Goods, are effected by international events

Cotton and Jute Cotton—Used in the British Textile Industry (410 million rupees in 1913) –Clothing –Fabric –Textiles Jute—Used in the British Textile Industry (760,000 tons in 1909) –Courser fabrics Burlap String, Rope, Twine

Wheat and Oilseeds Wheat—Basis for most bread products (1.3 million tons in 1914) –Necessary to support a large population Oilseeds—Vegetable Oil (1.5 million tons in 1913) –Uses in cooking –Industrial Uses

Tea Tea—The British and their colonies loved their Tea….and still do (192 million pounds in 1900) –Very Profitable Different Qualities, types, blends, preparations

Opium Opium—Powerful and highly addictive narcotic drug made from the poppy (4,480 tons in 1858) The British import Opium to China – First Opium War – Second Opium War

International Issues Crop Failures –More demand for Indian Wheat Crimean War –No Jute from Russia…increased demand for Indian Jute American Civil War –No Cotton from the U.S.A….increased demand for Indian Cotton Opium Wars –Britain defeats the Chinese, and forces them to remove restrictions on the Opium Trade….increased demand for Indian Opium

Opium in China Britain was constantly looking for new products and new markets China strictly controlled trade Opium had been used in China as a pain reliever for hundreds of years England begins smuggling Opium into China for nonmedical use 1835—12 million Chinese are addicted to Opium

Drugs are Bad!! Opium use in China alarmed the Chinese –Bad for your health, downright deadly –Highly addictive –Causes Crime –Destruction of families, tradition, culture –Drains China’s economy Opium trafficking and smuggling in China is banned and punishable by death

Opium Wars China begins to search British ships and merchants Any Opium found is confiscated and destroyed Britain sends a large navy to force the Chinese to reopen the Opium trade British have superior military technology –Steamships –Modern firearms and artillery

Treaty of Nanjing By 1842 the Chinese want peace 1842– they sign the treaty of Nanjing England gets Hong Kong Opium trade is legal Europeans and Americans are exempted from Chinese laws Beginning of Spheres of Influence in China

Back to India How does Britain control India? –Indirectly –Example-The military –British commanders Indian soldiers called Sepoys –Some Muslim –Some Hindu Discontent in India –British control the land –British may be trying to convert Indians to Christianity –British Racism

New Rifles Cause Problems 1857 the Sepoy soldiers get new Endfield rifles from the British –Fire a cartridge (bullet) that you have to bite the end off of first Rumors Spread –Cartridges are sealed with pork and beef fat Huge Problem –Cows are sacred to Hindus (Do not eat Cows) –Muslims do not eat pork (Do not eat pigs)

Sepoys Rebel Sepoys refuse the new rifles Those who refused were arrested May 10, Sepoys rebel –Joined by more Sepoys –Capture Delhi –Brutal fighting spreads through northern and central India

Outcome British Side British government troops arrive in India Takes the East India Company over a year to end the rebellion Sepoy Side Weak leadership Religious differences –Hindus did not want Muslims in charge –Sikhs remained loyal to the British

Sepoy Rebellion Changes the Way England deals with India Switch from Indirect to Direct Rule (Raj) India divided –11 provinces –250 districts British Governor of India>>>Viceroy Increased racism and distrust in India